BIOLOGY 1520 - Biology I: Organisms (Veterinary Bioscience)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025

This course focuses on the diversity of multicellular organisms, with evolution as the central theme. It addresses key questions in biology: What are plants and animals? What about other types of organisms? How do they evolve? How do they function? How do they interact with other organisms and the environment? These questions are answered by analysing the scientific evidence that supports current understanding. Learning is supported by online resources, active-learning lectures, regular quizzes, workshops to practice application of knowledge, and laboratory practicals. The diversity of life on Earth, evolution and ecology focus of this course is complemented by different aspects of biology in Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOLOGY 1520
Course	Biology I: Organisms (Veterinary Bioscience)
Coordinating Unit	Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 7 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	BIOLOGY 1510
Restrictions	Available to BSc (Veterinary Bioscience) students only
Assessment	End-of-Semester exam, MCQ tests, practical assessment

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Adrian Hunter

Dr Adrian Hunter

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	Explain how evolution by natural selection has affected the diversity of organisms on earth
2	Predict how selection pressures will influence the traits of individuals in a population
3	Explain how the structures and their functions in individual organisms enable them to respond to the main problems of growth and development, survival and reproduction, especially plants, animals and other eukaryotes
4	Formulate plausible hypotheses to explain the origin and function of biological traits in organisms
5	Explain how the key ecological processes affect the distribution and abundance of organisms
6	Analyse how these ecological processes affect selected populations
7	Analyse and interpret experimental data and appreciate the limitations of experimental design and the critical importance of controls
8	Write reports and present the experimental results in a valid scientific manner
9	Display scientific curiosity and to appreciate the importance of asking questions

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.	1-9
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.	1-9
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.	7-9
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.	1-9
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	6
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.	1-9

Learning Resources
Required Resources

Personal Protective Equipment (Practicals):
Laboratory Coat
Safety Glasses
Enclosed footwear (not sandals, thongs or the like)

Recommended Resources

Text Book:
Campbell Biology current edition (Australian and NZ version), hardcopy and/or electronic copy

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

MyUni:
For all assessments during semester, and access to course resources as provided including video/audio recording of lectures and copies of PowerPoint slides, as well as additional/recommended reading links to Campbell Biology, videos on YouTube, and other sources.

Online Learning
Available on MyUni:
- Files for all lectures and workshops
- Recordings of all face-to-face lectures
- Other resources dependent on the topic
- Prac manual and assessment
- Tests and assessed quizzes
- Practice quizzes for exam revision
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

This course will be delivered by the following means:
3 x 1 hour lectures per week
1 x 3 hour practical per fortnight
1 x 1.5 hour workshops most weeks

Workload

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

Contact Hours (65 hours)
Lectures 32 × 1 = 32 hours
Practicals 6 × 3 = 18 hours
Workshops 8 × 1.5 = 12 hours
Exam 1 × 3 hours = 3 hours.

Non-contact Hours (100 hours)
Lecture tests 2 × 1 = 2 hours
Preparation for Practicals, 2 hours per practical = 12 hours
12 weekly Course Reviews (online quizzes) = 12 hours
Weekly reading/other study 3 hours per week = 36 hours
Preparation for Tests = 28 hours
Exam preparation = 10 hours

Total = approximately 165 hours

Learning Activities Summary
The topics covered in the course (and supported by the textbook and online resources) are as follows:

Major lecture blocks covering:
- Evolution
- Plant Biology
- Animal Biology
- Ecology
One lecture each covering:
- Protists
- Fungi

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 Outcomes
Course Reviews (online quizzes)	Formative and Summative	Typically two weeks after each week of lectures	10%	1-7, 9
Workshop Participation	Formative and Summative	During workshops most weeks	5%	1-7, 9
Practical Preliminary Quizzes	Formative and Summative	Before each practical	5%	1-9
Practical Worksheets	Formative and Summative	Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 & 12	20%	1-9
Redeemable Tests (x2)	Summative	Middle and end of semester	0, 15 or 30%	1-6
End of Semester Theory Examination	Summative	In examination period	30, 45 or 60%	1-6

Assessment Detail

Course Review Quizzes	10%
Each week's lectures are accompanied by an online multiple-choice Course Review Quiz to help you engage with and revise the lecture material. You can repeat each Course Review as many times as you like and we will record your highest score. Each question is drawn randomly from a pool of similar questions so will probably change from attempt to attempt. Your lowest two Course Review marks (assuming 12 Course Reviews) will be "dropped", i.e. not contribute to your mark for the course. Most Course Reviews are due two weeks after the lecture week.
Workshop Participation	5%
You must complete a short online quiz during each workshop to get your participation mark for that week. All students must attend face-to-face workshops for participation marks (unless approved absence). You can miss one face-to-face workshop without penalty.
Practical Preliminary Quizzes	5%
Each practical is preceded by an online activity designed to help you prepare for that practical. Each activity includes a quiz of approximately 10 questions due before the beginning of that practical.
Practical Worksheets	20% for the semester
Each practical is assessed by a worksheet completed with a partner and submitted at the end of that practical session. Practical 1: Evolution 3% Practical 2: Fungi, Lichens & Algae 3% Practical 3: Plant Biology 4% Practical 4: Invertebrates 4% Practical 5: Vertebrate Srtucture and Function 3% Practical 6: Ecology of Populations 3% All worksheets will be marked and returned to the students at the following practical session.
Redeemable Online Tests	0, 15 or 30%
Online Test 1 (mid-semester) covers lectures from Weeks 1-6 and is worth 15% BUT is redeemable by Section B of the exam Online Test 2 (end of semester) covers lectures from Weeks 7-12 and is worth 15% BUT is redeemable by Section C of the exam
End of Semester Theory Examination	30, 45 or 60%
The examination will be divided into three sections: Section A. compulsory section consisting of short answer questions (30%) Section B. optional section consisting of multiple choice questions (potentially 15% if used to redeem lecture test 1) Section C. optional section consisting of multiple choice questions (potentially 15% if used to redeem lecture test 2).

Submission

Course Reviews, Workshop Participation Quizzes, Practical Preliminary Quizzes and Online Tests will by undertaken using MyUni.
Practical Worksheets will be submitted to Turnitin using 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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