196101

Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour

An introductory biology course on the way organisms react, adapt, and interact. The course investigates the relationships between genotype, phenotype and environment, and the diversity of life on Earth within a phylogenetic framework. The course includes an examination of the dynamic interactions within and between abiotic and biotic components of ecosystems, including a focus on the evolutionary ecology of behaviours such as foraging, mating, parenting, and cooperation.

Course code

Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.

196101

Level

The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).

100-level

Credits

Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.

15

Subject

Ecology

Course planning information

Course notes

The final examination will be an online supervised examination using remote invigilation.

Learning outcomes

What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.

  • 1 Explain the relationship between genotype, phenotype and the environment and how variation at each of these levels influences ecology and the evolution of form and behaviour.
  • 2 Describe and explain the characteristics, evolutionary origins and diversification of major taxa using a phylogenetic perspective.
  • 3 Summarise the basic principles of ecology, including biotic and abiotic drivers of the distribution and abundance of organisms, how organisms interact in ecological communities, and how ecosystems function.
  • 4 Discuss the causes, evolutionary origins and ecological consequences of various behaviours and how differences in individual survival and reproductive success underlie most behaviours.
  • 5 Formulate hypotheses, collect and analyse data with the computing platform R, and test predictions relevant to behavioural, ecological and evolutionary processes, and communicate results in written and visual formats.

Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.

Assessments

Assessment Learning outcomes assessed Weighting
Written Assignment 1 2 3 4 5 30%
Test 1 2 25%
Exam (centrally scheduled) 1 2 3 4 45%

Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.

You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.

Explanation of assessment types

Computer programmes
Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
Creative compositions
Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
Exam (centrally scheduled)
An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
Oral or performance or presentation
Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
Participation
You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
Portfolio
Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
Practical or placement
Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
Simulation
Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
Test
Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
Written assignment
Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.

Textbooks needed

Textbooks can change. We recommend you wait until at least seven weeks before the semester starts to buy your textbooks.

Compulsory

CAMPBELL BIOLOGY AUS/NZ EDITION

Author
REECE, J.B, ET AL
ISBN
.
Edition
12TH EDITION AUS/NZ (ANZ) VERSION
Publisher
PEARSON EDUCATION INC

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