BIOSCI 109 : Ecology and Evolution: The Continuum of Life
Science
2022 Semester One (1223) (15 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
Capabilities Developed in this Course
| Capability 1: | Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice |
| Capability 2: | Critical Thinking |
| Capability 3: | Solution Seeking |
| Capability 4: | Communication and Engagement |
| Capability 5: | Independence and Integrity |
| Capability 6: | Social and Environmental Responsibilities |
Learning Outcomes
- Describe patterns of distribution, diversity and abundance of organisms and the factors that drive these over a range of spatial and temporal scales. (Capability 1 and 4)
- Explain the consequences of human activities for genes, individuals, populations, communities and ecosystems. (Capability 2, 3 and 6)
- Describe how Te Ao Maori and the practice of ecologists connect. (Capability 4 and 6)
- Construct scientific questions that are specific and testable. (Capability 1, 2 and 3)
- Use and apply scientific methods and processes under supervision to gather, analyse, interpret and/or synthesise data in order to draw conclusions and make scientifically based decisions. (Capability 1, 2, 3 and 5)
- Critically evaluate and synthesise primary ecological and evolutionary literature. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
- Communicate ecological and evolutionary concepts and experimental outcomes clearly and logically using language and formats appropriate for a scientific audience. (Capability 1, 4, 5 and 6)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Assignments | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Reports | 25% | Individual Coursework |
| Quizzes | 5% | Individual Coursework |
| Final Exam | 45% | Individual Examination |
| 4 types | 100% |
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcome Addressed | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | ||||
| Assignments | ||||||||||
| Reports | ||||||||||
| Quizzes | ||||||||||
| Final Exam | ||||||||||
Students must pass the practical (assignments and reports) and the theory (exam and quizzes) independently to pass the course overall.
Key Topics
ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION IN ACTION: Evolution & society, science in NZ Aotearoa, biogeography, people as disruptors, anthropocene, marine and terrestrial ecosystems
Special Requirements
- Students must complete a field activity form before completing field work.
- There are no extra costs associated with these field trips, however you will need to make your own way to the reserves. Public transport details for getting to the reserves will be available in Canvas.
- Attending a field trip is essential to being able to write the reports for assessment.
- Fieldwork involves approximately 5 hours of outdoor research identifying plants along unpaved bush tracks. Fairly minimal walking is required (~1km) but the ground is uneven and could be slippery. Please discuss any accessibility issues with the course coordinator Caroline Aspden (c.aspden@auckland.ac.nz), we are able to adjust for student needs.
- Students must bring their lunch and adequate water (at least one litre), there are no shops.
- You will also need to bring appropriate clothing (sunhat, raincoat, warm layers) and comfortable covered footwear (laced shoes e.g. trainers or boots, or gum boots NO jandals or sandals) that you don't mind getting wet or dirty. Some gear can be borrowed from the department (e.g. raincoats and gumboots) and accompanying persons and service/guide dogs may be able to attend – please contact course coordinator Caroline Aspden (c.aspden@auckland.ac.nz) for more information about these or to discuss other access requirements.
- Toilets are available at both field sites. Toilets are gender neutral at the Kaipatiki field site.
Workload Expectations
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs and field trips to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs and field trips will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
A remote version of the course can be made available to students located overseas because of border restrictions, or those with an exemption to study remotely.
Learning Resources
Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).
Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.
Student Feedback
During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.
At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.
Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.
Academic Integrity
The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
Copyright
The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.
You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.
Inclusive Learning
All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.
Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz
Special Circumstances
If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.
If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.
This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.
Student Charter and Responsibilities
The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.
Disclaimer
Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.
In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.