The spectacular plant and animal biodiversity on Earth, and the amazing adaptations of species to their various ways of life, are the products of evolution.  This course explores the principles and processes that drive evolutionary change, using examples drawn from plants and animals. Importantly, the course explores the methods and approaches that can be used to understand evolutionary processes and reconstruct evolutionary history. Topics covered in this course will include: phylogeny and the history of life, natural selection and adaptation, mutation and genetic drift, molecular evolution, speciation, coevolution, macroevolution, and human evolution.  This course is taught interactively through lectures, workshops. Students will examine the milestone research studies that identified the basic principles and processes in evolutionary change, and the most recent experimental and genetic tools to test hypotheses concerning the evolution of life.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Examine, summarise and integrate central ideas underpinning evolutionary patterns and processes from the molecular to the macro scale.
2. Analyse the role of observation, pattern, experimentation and modelling in the generation and testing of evolutionary hypotheses.
3. Critically evaluate scientific evidence for and against evolutionary patterns and processes.
4. Conduct basic evolutionary research and communicate the findings both orally and in writing. 

Research-Led Teaching

The strong emphasis of this course is on understanding evolution not by memorizing facts, but by understanding how evolutionary biologists do their research. The first week of the course gives a historical background into the development of evolutionary ideas in biology. The rest of the course draws heavily on both classic and contemporary research to understand how current thinking in evolution has been shaped. Three discussion workshops encourage students to engage with and critically analyze key research on different aspects of evolution. A computer prac gives students a chance to apply some of the analytical tools that are used in macroevolutionary research.

Field Trips

There are no field trips for this course.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional costs.

Examination Material or equipment

None other than standard exam materials.

Required Resources

There are no required resources.

Recommended Resources

Students are encouraged to buy the textbook "Evolution: Making Sense of Life" (2nd ed, 2016) by Carl Zimmer & Douglas Emlen, if possible. Lecturers will vary in how closely their lectures are linked to the textbook content. However, buying the textbook is not compulsory and students will not be disadvantaged if they can't buy their own copy. There are a limited number of copies available for short loan in the Hancock Library.

For the computer prac, students use their own laptop or tablet with the R program installed (R is free). If students don't have a machine they can use, they can work with someone else who does, or borrow an ANU machine for the prac session.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

A course handbook will be provided on the Wattle site. This will include a comprehensive description of the course, the timetable and assessment items. The handbook is updated occasionally during the semester so students should check regularly for updates. Announcements will be made on Wattle and in lectures about upcoming events and deadlines. Lecturers will also post their lecture slides, relevant journal papers, useful links and other resources to support student learning, on the Wattle site.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to course (Marcel) The discovery of evolution (Lindell) 3 lectures
2	Molecular evolution (Lindell) 3 lectures
3	Natural Selection (Loeske) 3 lectures
4	Microevolution (Loeske) 3 lectures 1 discussion group workshop	Compulsory discussion group workshop: Selection & evolutionary dynamics Test 1 (in class)
5	Adaptation (Sasha) 3 lectures
6	Sex (Sasha) 3 lectures 1 discussion group workshop	Compulsory discussion group workshop: Levels of analysis in evolution
7	Phylogenetics (Marcel) 3 lectures
8	Macroevolution (Marcel) 3 lectures 1 computer prac	Compulsory computer prac: Macroevolutionary analysis using R Test 2 (in class)
9	Speciation (Craig) 3 lectures	Compulsory discussion group workshop: Hot topics in speciation
10	Topic TBA (Craig) 3 lectures 1 discussion group workshop
11	Topic TBA (Craig) 3 lectures
12	Macroevolution (Lindell) 3 lectures	Test 3 (in class)

Tutorial Registration

All tutorials are scheduled as single-date events. No signup required.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Workshop 1: Discussion Group	10 %	15/08/2019	30/08/2019	1,2,3
Workshop 2: Discussion Group	10 %	30/08/2019	20/09/2019	1,2,3
Workshop 3: Discussion Group	10 %	11/10/2019	25/10/2019	1,2,3
Computer practical	10 %	26/09/2019	11/10/2019	3,4
In-class test 1	20 %	16/08/2019	30/08/2019	1,2,3
In-class test 2	20 %	27/09/2019	20/09/2019	1,2,3
In-class test 3	20 %	24/10/2019	08/11/2019	1,2,3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

This course works best when everyone participates actively. The course has been designed around face to face contact, and it is very interactive and hands-on – even in lectures there will be discussions, groupwork, Q&A, quizzes, etc. We have found that students often struggle to do well in the course if they don’t come to lectures. We see this especially in test results, because the tests are designed to test understanding of concepts and critical thinking, rather than ability to memorize lecture material.

 

Sometimes students will have unavoidable clashes or unforeseen events will prevent them from coming to lectures or workshops. If that happens, let the convenor know, and provided there is a good reason (and generally a doctor’s certificate and Special Consideration form) we try to ensure students are not disadvantaged. With unresolvable clashes, we expect students to turn up to classes half the time.

Examination(s)

We run three tests in-house (ie in one of the scheduled lecture slots) rather than a major exam at the end of the course through the exams office. This reduces the pressure on students by having tests in a more relaxed, less formal setting, that are each worth a smaller proportion of the course, and focused on a particular part of the course. Tests will include a mix of multiple-choice and short-answer questions, which will emphasize understanding of concepts and critical thinking ability, rather than ability to memorize facts or examples from the lectures.

Assessment Task 1

Workshop 1: Discussion Group

The Discussion Group Workshops are designed to challenge students with interpreting and debating key research papers. The class will be divided into six groups at the start of the semester. Two research papers will be made available 2 weeks ahead of each workshop. In each workshop, two groups will each deliver a 15-minute group presentation on one paper, then lead the class in a discussion of the paper, assisted by the lecturer and tutor. All students in the four groups not presenting will submit a one-page mini-review of one paper and come prepared with some questions for the discussion. The presentation and the mini-review are each worth 10% (all members of the group get the same score for the presentation, but each student submits their own mini-review and gets their own score).

Due: Week 4 - for the specific date please check the course Wattle site

Returned: We will attempt to return marked assessment items or release marks on Wattle within 2 weeks of the deadline, but this isn't always possible.

Assessment Task 2

Workshop 2: Discussion Group

The Discussion Group Workshops are designed to challenge students with interpreting and debating key research papers. The class will be divided into six groups at the start of the semester. Two research papers will be made available 2 weeks ahead of each workshop. In each workshop, two groups will each deliver a 15-minute group presentation on one paper, then lead the class in a discussion of the paper, assisted by the lecturer and tutor. All students in the four groups not presenting will submit a one-page mini-review of one paper and come prepared with some questions for the discussion. The presentation and the mini-review are each worth 10% (all members of the group get the same score for the presentation, but each student submits their own mini-review and gets their own score).

Due: Week 6 - for the specific date please check the course Wattle site

Returned: We will attempt to return marked assessment items or release marks on Wattle within 2 weeks of the deadline, but this isn't always possible.

Assessment Task 3

Workshop 3: Discussion Group

The Discussion Group Workshops are designed to challenge students with interpreting and debating key research papers. The class will be divided into six groups at the start of the semester. Two research papers will be made available 2 weeks ahead of each workshop. In each workshop, two groups will each deliver a 15-minute group presentation on one paper, then lead the class in a discussion of the paper, assisted by the lecturer and tutor. All students in the four groups not presenting will submit a one-page mini-review of one paper and come prepared with some questions for the discussion. The presentation and the mini-review are each worth 10% (all members of the group get the same score for the presentation, but each student submits their own mini-review and gets their own score).

Due: Week 8 - for the specific date please check the course Wattle site

Returned: We will attempt to return marked assessment items or release marks on Wattle within 2 weeks of the deadline, but this isn't always possible.

Assessment Task 4

Computer practical

In the Computer Practical in week 10, students will use the R environment for statistical computing (https://www.r-project.org) to apply some of the tools that researchers use to investigate patterns and processes in macroevolution. During the prac students will work through a set of worksheet exercises to analyze large biodiversity datasets, presenting and explaining their results, and answering questions to test understanding of theoretical concepts. Demonstrators will be on hand to help out.

Due: Week 10 - for the specific date please check the course Wattle site

Returned: We will attempt to return marked assessment items or release marks on Wattle within 2 weeks of the deadline, but this isn't always possible.

Assessment Task 5

In-class test 1

The in-class test in week 4 will test understanding of the course material covered in weeks 1-4. The test will be 50 minutes, and is only run once. Alternative tests cannot be given if a student has a clash or other commitments (eg work). An alternative test can only be given for medical issues where special consideration has been granted and a medical certificate provided.

Due: Week 4 - for the specific date please check the course Wattle site

Returned: We will attempt to return marked assessment items or release marks on Wattle within 2 weeks of the deadline, but this isn't always possible.

Assessment Task 6

In-class test 2

The in-class test in week 8 will test understanding of the course material covered in weeks 5-8. AThe test will be 50 minutes, and is only run once. Alternative tests cannot be given if a student has a clash or other commitments (eg work). An alternative test can only be given for medical issues where special consideration has been granted and a medical certificate provided.

Due: Week 8 - for the specific date please check the course Wattle site

Returned: We will attempt to return marked assessment items or release marks on Wattle within 2 weeks of the deadline, but this isn't always possible.

Assessment Task 7

In-class test 3

The in-class test in week 12 will test understanding of the course material covered in weeks 9-12. The test will be 50 minutes, and is only run once. Alternative tests cannot be given if a student has a clash or other commitments (eg work). An alternative test can only be given for medical issues where special consideration has been granted and a medical certificate provided.

Due: Week 12 - for the specific date please check the course Wattle site

Returned: We will attempt to return marked assessment items or release marks on Wattle within 2 weeks of the deadline, but this isn't always possible.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Discussion group presentations are assessed on the day by lecturers and tutor. Discussion group mini-reviews and computer prac worksheets should be submitted via the Wattle page.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

We do not allow resubmission of assignments.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students