Research School of Biology
|
Research School of Biology
|
|
|
|
School of Botany and Zoology
Biology Program Planner - Use this document for help with planning Majors. First Year BIOL1003 - Biology1: Evolution, Ecology and Genetics Second Year BIOL2103 - Vertebrate Physiology Third Year BIOL3102 - Plant Microbial Interactions Evolution, Ecology and Genetics BIOL1003 (6 units) A - First Year CourseSemester 1 Prerequisites: None. Syllabus: This course aims to introduce some of the major concepts in the study of life, focussing on evolutionary and ecological questions. It assumes no previous qualifications in biology and, while this course is an important prerequisite for those majoring in biology, it is also designed for students not intending further study in biology. The program consists of four modules, as follows. (A) Genetics - DNA replication; chromosomes, genes and patterns of inheritance; sex determination; population genetics; human genetics. (B) Evolution - diversity and classification of life; evidence for evolution; natural selection and adaptation; speciation; evolutionary trees. (C) Ecology - regulation and exploitation of populations; ecosystem energy and nutrient flow; species interactions; biodiversity; human impacts. (D) Behavioural ecology - evolutionary approach to studying animal behaviour; social behaviour; cooperation and altruism; sexual selection; mating systems; communication. Specific topics may differ among years. There are no laboratories; tutorials are offered instead. Note for students studying ecology and genetics in second year: BIOL1009, and STAT1003 are strongly recommended for students proceeding to further study in ecology. BIOL1004 and CHEM1101 are recommended for students who wish to study genetics. Honours Pathway Option Proposed Assessment: Expected to be based on 4 assignments (total of 50%), spread throughout the semester, and a final exam (50%). Sex, Diet and Disease BIOL1008 (6 units) A - First Year CourseSemester 2 Incompatible: with BIOL1004 and BIOL1009. Exemption will be given for students completing PSYC1003 and PSYC1004. Syllabus: The course will comprise an introduction to aspects of human biology with an emphasis on the interaction of body systems with some of the major concerns of our lives including sex, diet, and disease. The program assumes no previous qualifications in biology and is geared towards students who do not intend to proceed to further study in biology. Topics discussed may include: sex and reproduction, infectious diseases, and the biology of weight regulation. Proposed Assessment: Five short assignments based around labs and tutorials (50%), final exam (50%). Diversity of Life BIOL1009 (6 units) A - First Year Course Semester 2 Incompatible: with BIOL1005, BIOL1006 Syllabus: This course introduces the form and function of the main groups of organisms and the relationships between them. Topics to be covered include: bacteria, the protists, the fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on tests and exams on both the theory and practical component. Vertebrate Physiology - BIOL2103 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: BIOL1004 Syllabus: This course reviews the physiology of vertebrates including humans, placing particular emphasis on digestion, circulation, respiration, and regulation and integration of the internal environment. The approaches taken include those based on organ systems and a comparative approach describing similar organ systems in different taxa and some consideration of how physiological systems are adjusted to function throughout the wide range of environments in which animals live. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on two lab quizzes, two laboratory reports, a mid-term and final examination. Australian Wildlife - BIOL2111 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: At least one first year biology course. Syllabus: Australia is famous for its unique and diverse animals, and this course will provide an overview of diversity and highlight recent research. In addition to the major lecturers, a series of guest lecturers will speak about their areas of expertise, including their own research. Groups covered will normally include reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds. Topics will include ecology, behaviour, morphology, physiology, conservation and evolutionary history. The course takes advantage of staff and guest expertise, and so specific animal groups and topics will vary from year to year. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on a mid-term test and an end of semester test that cover the lecture material and a major essay. Marine Biology - BIOL2112 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL1005 or BIOL1009 Syllabus: This course examines the evolution, ecology and diversity of the marine environment. It looks at the origin of life in the sea and the evolutionary patterns suggested by marine fossil beds. It then covers the major marine environments such as coral reefs, the deep sea floor, hydrothermal vents, the open ocean and the intertidal zones. The focus is on the diversity of plants and animals in each environment and the adaptations they have to vastly different conditions. The course also includes an introduction to oceanography: tides, water circulation, geography, physical gradients and properties of water that influence living conditions throughout the marine environment. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on a mid-term test, the assessment of practical work, and a final exam. Plant Structure and Function - BIOL2121 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL1006 or BIOL1009 Syllabus: We examine the ways plants function with the goal of understanding how processes at the cell and organ level scale to function at the whole organism level. We study construction and diversity of plant cells, leaves, stems and roots, and we ask how these structures enable plants to obtain resources necessary for growth and reproduction. The lecturers in the course are active researchers in the areas of plant ecology, physiology, and molecular biology. Our goal is to present to you the exciting breadth of plant biology and to assist you in developing a synthetic understanding of the field. The course will provide a solid background to support further studies of plants – from molecules to mountainsides. The course includes a limited number of lectures, ample discussion and practical work and culminates in student projects examining critical areas in applied plant biology in an Australian context. Proposed Assessment: Assessment will be based on a small number of practical assignments, a group presentation, and a final exam. Plant Diversity - BIOL2122 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: BIOL1006 or BIOL1009 Syllabus: This course takes an evolutionary approach to the systematics and diversity of plants. It starts with a practical approach to collecting, identifying and classifying plants, culminating in a three-day trip to develop skills in the field. Newly developed multi-media identification tools will be introduced and used throughout the semester. The structure and variation of plants will be explored through the many levels of diversity: geographic patterns among populations, the critical step of speciation among species within genera, and within and among families. Finally, the evolution of the major groups of plants will be studied, from the invasion of land to the explosive radiation of angiosperms, as well as the causes of these major events. Proposed Assessment: Assessment will be based on a plant collection assignment due at mid-term, part of the practical work and a final theory exam. Population Ecology - BIOL2131 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL1003, STAT1003 is strongly recommended. Syllabus: This course deals with the processes determining the abundance of organisms and how population abundance changes through time. The course begins by identifying the demographic characteristics of a population and the techniques used for quantifying these characteristics. The impact of abiotic factors on the nature of population change will be examined. The role of the biotic processes of intra- and inter-specific competition, predation, disease and herbivory on the dynamic behaviour of populations will be discussed. An important component of the course is introducing the quantitative methods and approaches used in population ecology to determine the status of populations and predict population behaviour. To this end, the course consists of weekly tutorials where, as well as being introduced to the use of several software packages, students obtain ‘hands on’ experience with some of the quantitative techniques introduced in the course. Honours Pathway Option Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on a mid-term quiz (20%), 'practical' test (20%), essay (30%) and a final exam (50%). The best mark obtained on the mid-term quiz or ‘practical’ test is used in calculating the final mark. Conservation Biology - BIOL2135 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: At least 36 units towards a degree, including at least 12 units from the School of Resources, Environment and Society or from the Schools of Botany and Zoology or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Syllabus: This course examines the scientific principles that underpin the theory of conservation biology and the social, legal and political frameworks within which practitioners must operate. Topics covered include biodiversity and why we need to conserve it, the biological factors that predispose species to extinction, the threats to biodiversity and conservation practices aimed at conserving biodiversity from species through to ecosystems. The course will include contributions from practitioners from government and non-government organisations to expose students to practical examples of conservation and wildlife management. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on a final exam, a literature search and review, and computer based tutorial exercises. Introductory Genetics - BIOL2151 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL1003. BIOL1004 is recommended Syllabus: This course covers principles and major concepts in genetics. In addition to the principles of Mendelian segregation and heredity, we will focus on topics of particular relevance to the study of evolution, ecology and phylogenetics, including population genetics, gene mapping, sequence diversification and quantitative genetics. This course is intended to be broadly relevant to all students with an interest in genetics, especially population and ecological genetics, and is also a prerequisite for Advances in Human Genetics (BIOL2152), Population Genetics (BIOL3151) and Advanced Genetics (BIOL3156). Honours Pathway Option Proposed Assessment: We propose mid-term and final tests (together 50%), and practical reports (50%). Advances in Human Genetics - BIOL2152 (6 units) B - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: BIOL2151 or BIOL2161 Syllabus: This course will explore areas of human genetics that have been most influenced by technical advances over the last decade, such as human evolutionary genetics, disease diagnosis and cancer genetics. The human genome project and its potential spin-offs will be discussed, and students will be introduced to the human genetic databases. The course will also address the moral, ethical and legal issues surrounding the application of genetic technology to the diagnosis and treatment of genetic disease, as well as genetic testing and genetic counselling. Proposed Assessment: One essay, three take-home quizzes and a final exam. Microbial-Plant Interactions - BIOL3102 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL2121 (BIOL2151 is strongly recommended) Syllabus: This course will explore the diverse roles of micro-organisms, especially fungi and to a lesser extent bacteria and viruses, in the life cycles of plants. Topics will include identification, epidemiology, biocontrol, host interactions (gene for gene interactions), and the evolution of plant microbes and plant pathogens. Lecturers will include research scientists from CSIRO. Proposed Assessment: A mid-term test, a seminar presentation on practical work, and a final exam. Current Research in Animal Physiology - BIOL3103 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL2103 Syllabus: This is an Honours Pathway Course, in which lectures emphasize recent research findings and students carry out a substantial research project with academics in the Research School of Biological Sciences or the School of Botany and Zoology. Entry to this option will be subject to the approval of the course convenor. The course will examine current topics in systemic and organismal physiology, such as animal smooth muscle control, visual systems, navigation, reproduction and osmoregulation. The integration of environmental variables and their effect on nervous and endocrine systems will be emphasised. Topics covered may vary between years and students are advised to check the syllabus with the course convenor. A quota may be placed on enrolments for this course. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on mid-term (25%) and final (35%) exams and a report on research project (40%). Entomology - BIOL3115 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL1005 or BIOL1009 and completion of 78 units towards a degree program, including 12 units from Biology B courses BIOL2112 is recommended. Syllabus: Entomology is the study of insects. This course will cover the morphology and anatomy of insects, aspects of physiology, behaviour, life histories and reproduction, sociality in insects, predatory and parasitic insects, plant-insect interactions, pest insects and how to control them, and the use of insects in biocontrol. Entomologists from the CSIRO Division of Entomology will introduce a few of the major insect groups and/or current topics in insect biology, biodiversity and conservation. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on an insect collection/curation assignment, a mid-term test and a final theory exam. Marine Ecology - BIOL3116 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: BIOL2112. Recommended GEOL1006. Syllabus: This course examines the key ecological processes that shape and maintain marine ecosystems, with an emphasis on coastal communities and their susceptibility to anthropogenic disturbance and climate change. Topics to be covered will include biogeochemical cycling and productivity, spatial and temporal community dynamics, global gradients of marine biodiversity, and some applied aspects of marine ecology (e.g. fisheries management, marine reserves). Critical evaluation of contemporary marine ecological theory will be a main focus, with students gaining first-hand experience of the quantitative methods used to describe and assess marine communities. Functional Ecology - BIOL3125 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: Any Group C unit with a BIOL prefix Syllabus: Have you ever wondered how physiological differences among plant species and interactions between plants and animals affect plant distribution and ecology? This course explores aspects of plant physiology and ecology with a focus on whole plant function in relation to animal interactions and environmental variability. Modules in 2007 will include:
Modules will be convened by active researchers from BoZo and RSBS. Course format is directed by lecturers, but primarily based on student-led discussions of readings from the primary literature, a group research project, and subject based tutorials in information literacy. Proposed Assessment
Students who meet requirements for special topics course may elect to replace the practical portion with an exam and conduct an independent practical project designed around on of the course modules as a stand alone 6 credit unit. Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology - BIOL3131 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL2151 or BIOL2131 or PSYC2007. Syllabus: This course will introduce an evolutionary approach to the study of how organisms reproduce and behave, with a special focus on how to formulate and test adaptationist hypotheses. Topics that may be covered include: the metaphor of the selfish gene; how animals find food and avoid getting eaten; how organisms allocate resources to reproduction; parent-offspring conflict; why organisms senesce; evolution of sex; evolution of gender; female choice and sexual selection; sperm competition; mating systems; the evolution of cooperation; the evolution of intelligence; the evolution of patterns of communication. BIOL3132 gives practical experience in the field of behavioural ecology, and is designed to be carried out at the same time as this course. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is expected to be based on a written exercise in science journalism, a review exercise, and a final examination. Field Studies in Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology - BIOL3132 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 1 Corequisites: BIOL3131 must be taken concurrently Syllabus: This is an Honours Pathway Course that is normally taken at the same time as BIOL3131, and deals with carrying out research on the behavioural ecology of free-living animals. Students will work in tutorial groups to develop hypotheses about behaviour that will be tested during a week-long field trip. Results are then presented in a poster at the course’s ‘conference’ and in a report in the form of a scientific paper. The course emphasises the design and effective reporting of scientific research, and will expose you to all of the stages of carrying out and reporting original research. Research topics have included: anti-predator behaviour in kangaroos, parrots and emus; foraging behaviour of antlions and bees; habitat segregation in birds; sex differences in plumage and vigilance; social structure of fairy-wrens; social foraging in seagulls; sex differences in foraging in oystercatchers; song and alarm calls in birds; schooling behaviour of fish. A quota may be placed on enrolments for this course. Proposed Assessment: Participation in the group’s research effort (10%), a poster (25%), an introduction to a research problem (15%), and research paper on that problem (50%). Biodiversity and Systematics - BIOL3134 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL1009 (or BIOL1005 or BIOL1006) or BIOL1003 (preferably two of these) and 78 units towards a degree program, including 12 units from Biology B courses. Syllabus: This course is concerned with evolutionary relationships of organisms and explores principles and practice common to botany and zoology. Topics include: theory and methods of biodiversity value assessment; theory and methods of phylogenetic reconstruction; descriptive taxonomy and classification; species concepts; global and Australian patterns of biodiversity and endemism; historical and ecological biogeography and their relationship to earth history. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on an essay assignment, a computational assignment using phylogenetics software, and a final theory exam. Ecological Research - BIOL3136 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: BIOL2131 or BIOL2135 or BIOL3131, STAT1003 is strongly recommended. Syllabus: This is an Honours Pathway Course that complements our theoretical courses in ecology and conservation biology by providing practical research experience. The course is intended to introduce and develop many of the issues involved in conducting research, and requires a high level of student participation. Lectures and tutorials will cover topics including research goals, assessing research, preparation of a research proposal, design of surveys and experiments, logistics, safety, ethics, data handling, analysis of results, and presentation of a written report and seminar. Students are required to undertake a project to test an ecological hypothesis. A quota may be placed on enrolments for this course. Proposed Assessment: Assessment includes a literature review (25%), a project report (60%) and a peer review or other project reports (15%). Special Topics in Ecology, Evolution & Systematics - BIOL3138 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Summer Session, 2007; Semester 1, 2007; Semester 2, 2007 Prerequisites: Available by the permission of the Head of School. Generally only available to students in the Distinguished Scholars in Science Program, direct Honours entry students, those enrolled in the Bachelor of Philosophy, or biology students performing at Distinction level in cognate courses. Syllabus: This is an Honours Pathway Course, in which academics in the School of Botany and Zoology can offer extension courses to outstanding students. These courses offer students the opportunity to pursue interests not covered in other courses, to acquire specialised training in technique, or to conduct independent research programs. The courses are tailored to the interests, abilities and needs of the students permitted to enrol. Students are encouraged to enquire directly about special topics courses with academics in the school. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is agreed with individual students, and tailored to an individual’s study program. Often assessment would be based around a literature review and research project report or practical exercises, with weightings agreed with individual students. Special Topics in Ecology, Evolution & Systematics - BIOL3139 (12 units) C - Later Year Course Summer Session, 2007 ; Semester 1, 2007 ; Semester 2, 2007 Prerequisites: Available by the permission of the Head of School. Generally only available to students in the Distinguished Scholars in Science Program, direct Honours entry students, those enrolled in the Bachelor of Philosophy, or biology students performing at Distinction level in cognate courses. Syllabus: This is an Honours Pathway Course, in which academics in the School of Botany and Zoology can offer extension courses to outstanding students. These courses offer students the opportunity to pursue interests not covered in other courses, to acquire specialised training in technique, or to conduct independent research programs. The courses are tailored to the interests, abilities and needs of the students permitted to enrol. Students are encouraged to enquire directly about special topics courses with academics in the school. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is agreed with individual students, and tailored to an individual’s study program. Often assessment would be based around a literature review and research project report or practical exercises, with weightings agreed with individual students. Population Genetics - BIOL3151 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 1 Prerequisites: BIOL2151 Syllabus: This course explores the ecological and evolutionary factors that influence the genetic structure of populations. It begins by describing the range of techniques available for identifying genetic variation within a population and some of the basic statistics used to quantify this variation as well as the amount of genetic differentiation among populations. These techniques and statistical methods are illustrated by discussing the consequences that the many unique features of the reproductive biology and ecology of plants have on the genetic structure of their populations. The Neutral Theory of Evolution is presented and the role of ecological factors such as population substructure in contributing to standing genetic variation is discussed together with the statistical techniques relevant to such analyses. The impact of selection on gene frequencies and the genetic structure of populations is examined. The fate of neutral and adaptive traits and the impact of ecological factors on these traits are examined with reference to examples from a variety of bacterial species. The roles of population fragmentation and isolation, selection and mating systems in the generation of chromosomal and genetic differentiation are discussed, in the context of speciation in plants and animals. Proposed Assessment: Assessment will be based on 3-4 assignments. There is no final exam. Bioinformatics - BIOL3152 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: 78 units toward a degree. Students are advised to have completed BIOL2151 (or BIOL2051) or BIOL2161 (or BIOL2061) or BIOL2162 before attempting this course. Syllabus: Bioinformatics deals with the way biological data is organised, stored, retrieved, and analysed in an electronic environment. The genome projects and other molecular discovery work over the past two decades have yielded a huge quantity of data, but much of its message remains unread. A major part of bioinformatics is about molecular databasing and the analysis of molecular data: a field sometimes called molecular informatics or molecular computational biology. Increasingly, other biological data, from species names and museum or herbarium holdings to information on geographic distributions and conservation status, are being recorded, manipulated and presented in electronic form. The design of information systems and accompanying analytic tools for these data is referred to as biodiversity informatics. In this course we survey the burgeoning array of molecular databases and their major software tools, we examine some commonly used techniques and tools used in genetics and phylogenetics research, and we take a brief look at biodiversity informatics as a discipline area. The course is addressed to biologists and molecular biologists who need to understand and use bioinformatic methods. No mathematics or programming is involved. Students will use and critically evaluate a variety of software tools and will develop an understanding of the range of questions being addressed via bioinformatics. Proposed Assessment: Assessment is based on three assignments covering molecular sequence databasing, sequence alignment and phylogenetics, and a small research project either in molecular or biodiversity informatics. Advanced Genetics - BIOL3156 (6 units) C - Later Year Course Semester 2 Prerequisites: BIOL2151 Syllabus: This course will extend themes developed in earlier genetics courses, with an emphasis on contemporary research questions. There will be two general themes underlying much of the material covered in this course: (1) examining genetic variation and genetic processes from an evolutionary perspective; (2) considering the information in the genome, both from a genetic point of view (how genes work) and from an evolutionary standpoint (uncovering the patterns and processes of evolution from genetic data). Topics covered may include causes and consequences of mutation, factors affecting rates of molecular evolution, genetics of speciation, chromosomal evolution, and gene mapping. We will look at the use of DNA sequence analysis to detect evolutionary processes and reconstruct evolutionary history. Proposed Assessment: Tests (45%), written assignments (30%) and a group presentation (25%).
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
