This assessment requires you to research an animal that has been discovered in Australia (including surrounding territories and waters) within the last ten years and write a 500 word article for a popular science magazine.

Your article should include a description of the scientific classification (kingdom, phylum etc) and the characteristics associated with the animal in that group (approximately 200 words). In the remaining words (approximately 300), you should describe what is interesting about the animal, what makes it different from other similar animals, the significance of the discovery, or other relevant information that will attract and keep the audience's attention. At the end of the article, you must provide a list of the references you have used, but do not use any in-text referencing except to refer to the scientific paper that describes the species that has been discovered. As well as uploading your assignment as a Word document, you must upload a Adobe pdf of the original paper where the species is described. Exemplar articles will be available on the unit's Moodle page at the commencement of the term.

Assessment Criteria

The complete assessment rubric will be available on the unit's Moodle site at the commencement of the term.

The assessment criteria primarily focuses on the following:

1. Accuracy of the information about the newly discovered species and its classification.

2. Relevance of the material.

3. Clarity of expression and ability to engage an audience.

4. Correct English grammar and punctuation.

5. Accuracy of referencing.

You will demonstrate a range of biological skills and complete a series of assessments during the Residential School. Assessment activities will address competence in the use of microscopes and preparation of biological slides, plant and animal dissection, identification of plant and animal organs, tissues, and structures, use of dichotomous and lucid keys for plant and insect identification, and short online quizzes based on the material covered during the practical laboratory session.

Competency and performance of assessment tasks will be evaluated on the correctness, comprehensiveness and relevance of the response. Specific details regarding each Residential School assessment will be available on the Moodle two weeks prior to the the residential school (see Week 6 and 11) and be explained prior to undertaking the relevant practical laboratory session. 

During or after each laboratory session, students will present their work to a supervisor for marking and feedback. Students must ensure that all required skills checks are completed and signed off on.

The assessment criteria for each laboratory session will vary, but assessment criteria will generally involve the following: Safety, Accuracy, Completeness, and Concept understanding. After receiving feedback, and at the supervisors discretion students maybe asked to demonstrate proficiency in skills. This assessment is a Pass/Fail.

The unit test is based on lecture and study material covered during Weeks 1-12 (students are asked to revise the lecture and reading material associated with each week). The unit test is limited to 90 minutes for completion and must be submitted after completion. Answers will be automatically submitted after 90 minutes. Test questions will be a combination eight (8) short and four (4) long answer questions. Short answer questions will form 40% and long answer questions 60% of total available marks. 

Answers will be assessed on their completeness, relevance, depth and correct application of biological knowledge.