Organisms to Ecosystems

• • A week-by-week guide to the topics you will explore in this subject will be provided in your study materials.

Others

NCCW (pre-2020 units): BIOL114 NCCW (2020 and onwards): BIOL1310 Organisms to Ecosystems

Additional requirements

• Other requirements -

  Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA subjects offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in subjects through OUA will be withdrawn.

This subject introduces students to the essential concepts in current biology. BIOX1310 builds on the laboratory, statistical and communication skills obtained in BIOX1610. BIOX1310 forms the first step for students pursuing a career in the biological sciences, and provides a basis for students in other disciplines who wish to maintain an interest in this dynamic field. The theme of this subject is evolution. The first part of the subject is concerned with the origin of life and discusses current theories on how life may have arisen on a previously lifeless planet. We discuss evolutionary theory in detail including some of the genetic principles that underlie evolution. In the second part we introduce the major groups of organisms examining their diversity and how they function. In the final part we discuss the ecological interactions between organisms from the small scale to global patterns. Throughout the subject, these core concepts are illustrated with examples from current research. BIOX1310 is designed as a companion subject to BIOX1110 in Session 2 and requires attendance at on-campus sessions.

Participatory task: Participation in practical classes held over four days at the Macquarie University campus in North Ryde.

• Lab book (5%)
• Midsemester test (15%)
• Research Report (30%)
• Pre-Practical quizzes (10%)
• Final exam (40%)