BIOLOGY 1101 - Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

Topics in this course include: unifying themes of life, macromolecules and the chemistry of life, cell structure and function including membranes and organelles, storage and utilisation of energy by cells, genetic information transfer and patterns of inheritance, and an introduction to mechanisms of evolution. Core concepts are explored using diverse examples. The cell biology, molecular biology and genetics focus of this course is complemented by different aspects of biology in Semester 2 BIOLOGY courses. Students in this course come from a very broad range of programs and academic backgrounds. Learning is supported by online resources, active-learning lectures, regular quizzes, workshops to practice application of knowledge, and laboratory practicals. Biology spans an incredibly wide range of themes. Suitable preparation for studying Level II courses in biology-based disciplines generally requires two semesters of Level 1 BIOLOGY.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOLOGY 1101
Course	Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells
Coordinating Unit	Molec & Biomedical Science
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	BIOLOGY 1401, BIOLOGY 1510, BIOLOGY 1001
Assumed Knowledge	Familiarity with general biology and fundamental general chemistry
Assessment	End-of-Semester exam, MCQ tests, practical assessment

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Michelle Coulson

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

A successful student should be able to:

1	Describe the structures and biological functions of DNA, RNA, lipids, carbohydrates and protein.
2	Describe the structures of cells and their internal organelles.
3	Explain the differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
4	Explain the metabolic pathways cells use to obtain and transform energy during the life cycle.
5	Explain osmosis, the role of lipid membranes and the consequence of a cell wall.
6	Explain the molecular basis of inheritance and cell division.
7	Measure, analyse and interpret experimental data.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1-7
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	7
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1-7
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	7
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	7
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1-7

Learning Resources
Required Resources

Personal Protective Equipment (Practicals):
Laboratory Coat
Safety Glasses

Recommended Resources

TextBook:
Campbell Biology current edition (Australian & NZ version)
Hardcopy and/or electronic copy

Mobile Device
An internet capable mobile device (eg phone, tablet, laptop etc) will allow realtime participation in lectures and workshops.

Access to "MyUni"
For all assessments during the semester, and for course resources as provided including video/audio recording of lectures and copies of PowerPoint slides, as well as additional reading/recommended texts.

Online Learning
Available on MyUni:
- PDF files of all lecture and workshop presentations
- Recordings of all face-to-face lectures
- Pre-lecture videos and other resources dependent on the topic
- Prac manual and assessment
- Tests and quizzes for assessment
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

This course will be delivered by the following means:
2 x 1 hour lectures per week
11 x 1 hour workshops per Semester
5 x 3 hour practicals per Semester

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Contact Hours (50 hours)
Lectures 21 x 1 = 21 hours
Workshops 11 x 1 = 11 hours
Practicals 5 x 3 = 15 hours
Exam 1 x 3 hours = 3 hours.

Non-contact Hours (104 hours)
Weekly reading/other study 2 hours per week = 24 hours
Preparation for Lectures 2 hours per week = 24 hours
Preparation for Workshops 1 hour per workshop = 11 hours
Preparation for Practicals 2 hours per practical = 10 hours
Preparation for online tests - 2 x 5 hours = 10 hours
Preparation of Practical assessments = 10 hours
Exam preparation= 15 hours

Total = approximately 150 hours

Learning Activities Summary
The topics covered in the course (and supported by the workshops, practicals, textbook and online resources) are as follows:
- Lectures 1-5: The chemical basis of life, the origin of life, the classes of macromolecules with particular emphasis on proteins and their function
- Lectures 6-9 The cell as the basic structural unit of life, prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, the endosymbiotic theory of plastid evolution, the cytoskeleton and mitosis, membrane structure and transport, osmosis
- Lectures 10-13 Enzymes as biological catalysts, ATP as the universal energy currency, cellular energetics with emphasis on glucose oxidation, including glycolysis, citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, fermentation, photosynthesis
- Lectures 14-17 DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, translation and the genetic code, mutation, PCR.
- Lectures 18-21 Cell cycle, including mitosis and meiosis, patterns of inheritance (Mendelian), gene linkage, genomics

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
End of Semester Theory Examination	Summative	In examination period	30-60%	1-6
Redeemable Tests (x2)	Summative	Typically Week 6 and Week 13	0-30%	1-6
Online quizzes	Formative and Summative	Weekly throughout semester	10%	1-6
Workshop Assessment	Formative and summative	Weekly throughout semester	5%	1-6
Practical Assessment	Formative and Summative	Fortnightly throughout semester	25%	1-7

Assessment Detail

See assessment overview page on MyUni course information module

End of Semester Theory Examination	30-60%
The examination will be closed book and divided into three sections: A. compulsory section consisting of short answer questions (30%) B. optional section consisting of multiple choice questions (15% if used to redeem online test 1) C. optional section consisting of multiple choice questions (15% if used to redeem online test 2).
Redeemable Supervised Tests - Total	0-30%
Online test #1 - Open book (typically Week 6) 15% Online test #2 - Open book (typically Week 13) 15%
Online Quizzes – Total	10%
Each week there will be an assessed course review quiz on the week's lecture content (10%)
Workshop Assessment	5%
All workshops are regarded as both formative and summative and each student will be assessed on their attendance and participation (5%)
Practical Assessment - Total	25%
Each practical sessions has a preliminary quiz (due before practical class) and a worksheet (due at the completion of practical) Preliminary quizzes: 5% total for the semester Worksheets : 5 x 4% = 20% total for the semester

Submission

All assessments during the semester are submitted through MyUni.

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied.
This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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