Overview
The invertebrates are the largest and most diverse group of animals on Earth, being found in all environments and habitats. This unit provides an overview of the biology, ecology, and taxonomy of the various invertebrate phyla, linking adaptation and evolutionary history to understand the origins and proliferation of this great diversity of life.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite BIOL11099 Living Systems or BIOL11102 Life Science Laboratory
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Email & in-person
One student became somewhat frustrated at the self-directed nature of choosing a research project topic, rather than being prescribed a topic.
The issue was resolved with additional one-on-one communication. For the next offering, the recommendation is to offer additional and earlier options for communication with all students who may have a similar issue.
Feedback from SUTE feedback
Commentary praised the 'at home' research task instead of an on-campus residential school.
Maintain the 'at-home' structure of the practical work, with appropriate levels of communication and support.
- Define terminology associated with the study of invertebrate zoology
- Describe the structural and functional organisation of animals from the various invertebrate phyla
- Explain the evolutionary history of the invertebrates, including their adaptations to particular environments and their ecology
- Identify the major invertebrate taxa and explain the evolutionary and physiological basis for the taxonomic classification of these animals
- Acquire practical skills in the study of invertebrates by conducting basic scientific research on invertebrate abundance, distribution, behaviour, and ecology in both field and laboratory settings.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 30% | |||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | |||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
a.irving@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
1. Unit overview
2. Why study invertebrates?
Chapter
Study guide chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
3. Invertebrates and the environment
4. Taxonomy and evolution of the
invertebrates
Chapter
Study guide chapters 2 & 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
5. Protozoans
6. Porifera
Chapter
Study guide chapters 4 & 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
7. Cnidarians
8. Coral reefs
Chapter
Study guide chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
9. Platyhelminthes
10. Of worms and coelomes
Chapter
Study guide chapters 7 & 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
11. Arthropoda part 1: Introduction
12. Arthropoda part 2: Uniramia
Chapter
Study guide chapter 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
13. Arthropoda part 3: Crustacea
14. Annelida
Chapter
Study guide chapters 9 & 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
15. Mollusca part 1: Introduction
16. Mollusca part 2: Bivalves
Chapter
Study guide chapter 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
17. Mollusca part 3: Gastropods
18. Mollusca part 4: Cephalopods
Chapter
Study guide chapter 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
19. The Lophophorates
20. Echinodermata
Chapter
Study guide chapters 12 & 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
21. Hemichordates and chordates
Chapter
Study guide chapyter 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
22. Unit review
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
This unit comprises a series of weekly lectures and an 'at-home' practical assignment in lieu of an on-campus residential
school. In 2026, lectures will be delivered online. Recordings of all lectures will be provided on the unit's Moodle page , with additional live Zoom meetings scheduled throughout term for informal Q&A (see Moodle for the timetable
of these informal sessions). The practical assignment for this unit will run in conjunction with ad hoc live Zoom sessions
and pre-recorded videos, which will provide additional instructions and allow you to get feedback on your progress
throughout the term. The unit's Moodle page will be the key access point for all relevant information and communication
regarding all aspects of the unit.
1 Written Assessment
This written assignment requires you to complete a concise 1000 word essay, and is worth 20 % of your unit grade.
“Lower invertebrates”, so called because they have persisted since the early history of life on Earth, provide many
benefits to humans (e.g. medical applications, food and resources, understanding how life on Earth ‘works’, etc.), as well
as many detriments (infections, parasites, food spoilage, etc.). Your task is to summarise how a lower invertebrate (as
an individual species or a higher taxonomic level) contributes to the benefit OR detriment of human populations. You are
free to choose any invertebrate/outcome/field of research that interests you, but ensure your topic is based on a ‘lower’
invertebrate. This includes the protozoans, poriferans, cnidarians, platyhelminthes, nematodes and nemerteans, which
will be described in detail in lectures. Additional information regarding assessment requirements, hints, and submission
guidelines will be provided on the unit's Moodle site. AI may be used as part of your preliminary literature and
information search strategy, but must not be used to construct your essay (i.e. the written essay must be your own
work).
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 6 Friday (17 Apr 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Submit your work as a Word document (.doc or .docx) via Moodle
Week 7 Friday (1 May 2026)
Your work will be marked and returned to you via Moodle
This concise essay assignment will be marked against the following criteria:
- A clear and informative title (5% of marks)
- An informative yet concise background/introduction to the topic (10%)
- A descriptive, well-structured, and clearly resourced (referenced) body section of text, describing the key
features/traits of the invertebrate chosen, and how it affects human populations (25%) - A concluding paragraph that summarises the essay without repeating the points already presented (15%)
- Ensuring a 'lower' invertebrate is discussed (5%)
- Citing references correctly within the text (5%)
- Providing a reference list in Harvard format, comprising 5 to 10 sources (see instructions on Moodle for additional
information about references) (10%) - Correct spelling and grammar (10%)
- A clear and logical structure and presentation of your points (10%)
- Keeping within word limits (1000 words +/- 10%) (5%)
- Define terminology associated with the study of invertebrate zoology
- Describe the structural and functional organisation of animals from the various invertebrate phyla
- Explain the evolutionary history of the invertebrates, including their adaptations to particular environments and their ecology
2 Practical Assessment
This practical assessment comprises a written report summarising the practical work you will complete during the term.
This assessment is worth 30% of your unit grade. This assessment will require you to complete an 'at-home' research
project involving invertebrates. You will be given guidance in the choice of the type of project to do, but you will need to
demonstrate that you have a clear hypothesis with an appropriate test and interpretation, regardless of your final
choice. Instruction, guidance and feedback will be available throughout the term via pre-recorded videos uploaded to
Moodle as well as regular live Zoom sessions (see Moodle for scheduled dates). This assignment will combine your
conceptual and planning skills with further development of skills in practical field sampling, measurement, data analysis
and communication. AI may be used as part of your preliminary literature and information search strategy, but must not
be used to construct your report (i.e. the written report must be your own work).
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Week 11 Friday (29 May 2026) 11:45 pm AEST
Submit your work as a Word document (.doc or .docx) via Moodle
Exam Week Friday (12 June 2026)
Your work will be marked and returned to you via Moodle
Your practical report will be assessed against the following criteria:
- Title (short, punchy and informative) (6.67% of marks)
- Abstract (clear, concise summary of context, hypothesis, results and conclusions) (10%)
- Introduction (Relevant context provided, starting with a broad focus of observations and models and narrowing to
a clear, well-articulated hypothesis for a manipulative experiment) (16.67%) - Methods (adequate description and justification of methods used so experiment could be repeated) (16.67%)
- Results (Concise description of results, ordered logically and presented in graphs/tables, as well as basic
statistical analyses) (16.67%) - Discussion (Logical structure that discusses the key results and their meaning before placing results in a broader
context and identifying biases/improvements/further fields of study etc) (16.67%) - References (cited appropriately throughout text, 10 minimum, no web pages unless of the data repository-type)
(6.67%) - Correct spelling and grammar (6.67%)
- Word count (keeping to guidelines provided in each section) (3.33%)
- Define terminology associated with the study of invertebrate zoology
- Describe the structural and functional organisation of animals from the various invertebrate phyla
- Identify the major invertebrate taxa and explain the evolutionary and physiological basis for the taxonomic classification of these animals
- Acquire practical skills in the study of invertebrates by conducting basic scientific research on invertebrate abundance, distribution, behaviour, and ecology in both field and laboratory settings.
3 Online Quiz(zes)
You are required to complete and end-of-term online quiz that is worth 50 % of your unit grade. The quiz will be akin to a
traditional examination where you will be asked multiple questions that may relate to any element of the unit content
presented during term. At 9am on Tuesday 9th of June (during the scheduled University exam week), the quiz will
open and be available for 24 hours, during which time you will have a 3 hour block within which to complete the
assessment (the 3 hours start when you choose to start the quiz). The quiz will automatically close at the end of your 3
hours, or at the end of the 24-hour availability period, whichever is sooner (in other words, make sure you start the quiz
with enough time to get the full 3 hours access). The use of AI technology is not permitted for this assessment.
Additional details and practice questions will be provided throughout term and on Moodle.
Level of GenAI use allowed: Level 1: You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
Note that the 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
1
Other
Exam Week Tuesday (9 June 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Complete your quiz on Moodle by clicking the appropriate assessment link
Exam Week Friday (12 June 2026)
Your quiz will be marked and returned to you on Moodle
Your grade in this assignment will be determined through the written demonstration of your grasp of the entire unit's
content. Each question in the quiz will have a certain number of marks allocated to it. Questions will be a combination of
short- and long-answer format, as well as short-essay style questions that give you the chance to show your deeper
understanding of a particular topic.
- Define terminology associated with the study of invertebrate zoology
- Describe the structural and functional organisation of animals from the various invertebrate phyla
- Explain the evolutionary history of the invertebrates, including their adaptations to particular environments and their ecology
- Identify the major invertebrate taxa and explain the evolutionary and physiological basis for the taxonomic classification of these animals
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
