BIOLOGY 1401 - Concepts in Biology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015

The aim of this course is to provide students with afoundation in biology covering key areas including evolution, diversity of organisms, cell structure and function, and inheritance. It provides a suitable background for further study in a number of biological disciplines with more focus on the organism level and above such as botany, zoology, ecology and agricultural sciences.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOLOGY 1401
Course	Concepts in Biology
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 7 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Incompatible	BIOLOGY 1101
Assumed Knowledge	Prior study of biology or chemistry is desirable but not essential
Restrictions	Not available to students with SACE Stage 2 Chemistry Subject Achievement Grade of C+ or greater
Assessment	Online quizzes, lecture tests, practical reports, final theory exam

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Grant Booker

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 how evolution best explains the complexity and diversity of living organisms.
2	Predict the impact of evolutionary pressures on populations.
3	Explain how cells interact to form tissues and whole organisms.
4	Explain how cells obtain and transform energy during the life cycle.
5	Contrast the diversity of animals with the diversity of plants.
6	Explain the flow of genetic information in cells and how this leads to heredity.
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)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-7
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1-7
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-7
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	7
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-7
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	7
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	7

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Online Resources:
Learning Catalytics (supplied)
Pearson Education

Mastering Bio (Supplied)
Pearson Education

Personal Protective Equipment (Practicals):
Laboratory Coat
Safety Glasses

Recommended Resources

TextBook:
Campbell Biology 10e (Australian & NZ Edition)
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.

MyUni:
Course resources as provided including video/audio recording of lectures and copies of PowerPoint slides, as well as additional reading/recommended texts. Links to Mastering Biology (Pearson Education)

Weblinks:
As specified during the course

Online Learning

Available on MyUni:
Links to Mastering Biology for self-directed learning modules and summative/formative Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Video introduction to the practicals and preparation quizzes for practicals
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

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

Workload

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

Contact Hours (57 hours)
Lectures 22 x 1 = 22 hours
Workshops 10 x 1 = 10 hours
Tutorials 10 x 1 = 10 hours
Practicals 4 x 3 = 12 hours
Exam 1 x 3 hours = 3 hours.

Non-contact Hours (87 hours)
Weekly reading/other study 2 hours per week = 24 hours
Preparation for Workshops 1 hour per workshop = 10 hours
Preparation for tutorials 1 hour per tutorial = 10 hours
Preparation for Practicals 2 hours per practical = 8 hours
Preparation for Tests = 10 hours
Preparation of Practical assessment = 10 hours
Exam preparation= 15 hours

Total = approximately 144 hours

Learning Activities Summary
The topics covered in the course (and supported by the tutorials, workshops, textbook and online resources) are as follows:
- Lectures 1-2: Biology from the ecosystem through to the cellular.
- Lectures 3-4: The central role of evolution in biology and its impact on populations.
- Lectures 5-6: The characteristics of animals, highlighting their diversity.
- Lectures 7-8: The characteristics of plants, highlighting their diversity.
- Lctures 9-11: Cell biology, including lipid membranes and organelles, cell division and a comparison of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Lectures 12-17: Cellular metabolism and the transformation of energy.
- Lectures 18-22: The flow of genetic information within the cell leading to inheritance and sexual reproduction.

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	Weeks 7 & 13	0-30%	1-6
Online modules/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	20%	1-7
Tutorial Assessment	Formative and Summative	Weekly throughout semester	5%	1-7

Assessment Detail

End of Semester Theory Examination	30-60%
The examination will be divided into three sections: A. compulsory section consisting of short answer questions (30%) B. optional section consisting of multiple choice questions (potentially 15% if used to redeem lecture test 1) C. optional section consisting of multiple choice questions (potentially 15% if used to redeem lecture test 2).
Redeemable Supervised Tests - Total	0-30%
Lecture test #1 - Closed book (Week 7) 15% Lecture test #2 - Closed book (Week 13) 15%
Online modules /quizzes – Total	10%
Using the Mastering Biology and Learning catalytics platforms students will complete ten online MCQ tests during the semester. The times when these tests will be available will be advertised on MyUni.. Students receive immediate feedback upon completion of each quiz.
Workshop Assessment	5%
All tutorials are regarded as both formative and summative and each student will be assessed on their attendance AND participation (5%)
Practical Assessment - Total	20%
Practical 1: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 5% Practical 2: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 5% Practical 3: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 5% Practical 4: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 5% Each practical assessment includes an online preliminary exercise that must be completed prior to the practical session (worth 1% each). All practical assignments will be marked online and returned to the students by their following practical session
Tutorial Assessment - Total	5%
All tutorials are regarded as both formative and summative and each student will be assessed on their attendance AND participation (5%)

Submission

On-line Quiz assessments will by undertaken using MyUni.
Practical worksheet and report assessments will be submitted via Turnitin.

Late submission of assessments
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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