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Unit outline_

BIOL3033: Insect and Human Interactions

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Insects effect almost every facet of our lives from vectoring major diseases like the plague, malaria and Zika virus to the billions of dollars of free ecosystems services they provide by consuming pest insects, pollinating agricultural crops and removing waste. This unit takes an applied approach to entomology by covering topics such as medical entomology, sustainable pest management, pollination ecology, insects as human/livestock foods and insect conservation. You will learn how to identify a variety of economically and medically important arthropods and how to sample insects in a variety of settings. You will also learn how insects are managed in agricultural, urban and natural environments as well as how we can use insects to solve some of humanities most pressing problems. You will learn about the many important ecosystems services that insects provide, as well as how practitioners can help encourage and support populations of beneficial insects. You will build your skills in research and inquiry through group research projects that you design and run. This unit will give you the basic skills needed to pursue careers in a variety of entomology-related fields.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
6cp of BIOL2XXX or ENTO2001 or MEDS200X or ANAT2XXX or PHSI2XXX or BMED240X or MIMI2X02 or IMMU2101
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ENTO4003
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Tanya Latty, tanya.latty@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Thomas White, thomas.white@sydney.edu.au
Tanya Latty, tanya.latty@sydney.edu.au
Timothy Lee, t.lee@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Margot Roberts, margot.roberts@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Mueseum Assessment Proposal
Proposal
15% Week 04
Due date: 23 Aug 2024 at 23:59
1000-2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
Small test Small test 1
Small test
14% Week 05 40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Small continuous assessment group assignment Small group test
Small test (group)
3% Week 06 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Participation Poster Q and A session
Asking questions about peer's posters
2% Week 08 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment Poster
Poster assignment
19% Week 08
Due date: 19 Sep 2024 at 23:59
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4
Small continuous assessment group assignment Small group test
Small test (group)
3% Week 12 20 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Small test Small test 2
Individual test
14% Week 12 40 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Skills-based evaluation Museum assessment- final
Insect collection
30% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 14:00
insect collection + 1000-2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Museum assessment proposal: Collecting and preparing scientific collections is a key task that entomologists may be asked to perform. In this assessment, you will need to propose an order of insects for your own collection. The proposal requires you to answer questions about topics such as:  the ecology and taxonomy of your chosen order, resources you will use to identify your insects, how you will collect the insects, and other relevant details. In Week 13, you will hand in your completed collection.

Two-stage test  1 (week 6): You will be tested on the lecture material from weeks 1-5. In the first part of the test (40 mins) you will answer questiosn individually. In the second component (20 mins) you will answer questiosn as a group. Note: the group mark can only increase, not decrease, your overal mark.

Poster Presentation and Q and A: You will create a poster based on an experiment you design and run during the practicals. You will be expected to ask questions to your fellow poster presenters.

Two-stage test  2 (week 12): You will be tested on the lecture material from weeks 1-5. In the first part of the test (40 mins) you will answer questiosn individually. In the second component (20 mins) you will answer questiosn as a group. Note: the group mark can only increase, not decrease, your overall mark.

Museum Asessment-final submission: collecting and preparing scientific collections is a key task that entomologists may be asked to perform. In this assessment, you will hand in a completed insect collection focused on a single order along with information about the collected species.

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Course introduction; insect identification refresher Science laboratory (3 hr) LO5
Course introduction; insect identification refresher Lecture (1 hr) LO5
Week 02 Discovering and Describing insects: intro to taxonomy and insect ethics Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Discovering and Describing insects: intro to taxonomy and insect ethics Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 03 Soldier fly bioconversion Field trip (3 hr) LO1 LO5
Ecosystem Services Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 04 Insect sampling Field trip (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Introduction to Integrated Pest Management: pesticides, regulation and impacts Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 05 Applied entomology experiment Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Animal ethics Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Applied Entomology Experiment Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Conservation Entomology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Applied Entomology Experiment Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Urban entomology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Poster presentation Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Insect inspired technology Lecture (1 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Forensic Entomology Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Forensic entomology Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Biosecurity Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Medical entomology Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Medical entomology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Further study in Entomology Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Further study in Entomology Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Insects as food for humans and livestock Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Insects as food for humans and livestock Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Unless otherwise stated, students are expected to attend at least 80% of timetabled activities as defined in the unit of study outline. A student may fail this unit of study because of inadequate attendance.

 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate a thorough understanding of key applications of entomology, including being able to discuss contemporary pest-control strategies
  • LO2. demonstrate the ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences (clients, the general public, fellow scientists) in multiple formats
  • LO3. demonstrate an in-depth knowledge about integrated pest management in at least one Australian crop
  • LO4. critically assess scientific literature and apply this to entomological applications
  • LO5. demonstrate practical skills in identifying insects and their ecological effects.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Additional support and feedback on assignments pre-submission is offered this year, as this was something students felt could be improved on the unit in 2022.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Completion of the canvas module "Zoonosis Awareness" is compulsory.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.