BIOLOGY 1510 - Biology I:Molecules, Genes & Cells (Vet Bio)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

The study of biology covers an incredibly wide range of themes; from simple molecules, cells, organelles and tissues to whole organisms and their interaction with the environment and their ability to evolve. The aim of this course is to introduce many of these concepts, thereby providing the foundation for further studies in semester 2 courses and more specialist level II/III courses. Topics to be covered include the chemicals of life, macromolecules, the role of nucleic acids in genetic information transfer, protein synthesis, lipid membranes and the structure of cells, storage and utilisation of energy, meiosis and mitosis.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOLOGY 1510
Course	Biology I:Molecules, Genes & Cells (Vet Bio)
Coordinating Unit	School of Molecular and Biomedical Sci(Inactive)
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 5.5 hours per week
Restrictions	Available to B Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) students only
Assessment	End of semester exams, MCQ and theory tests, practical assessment and tutorial assessment

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Grant Booker

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

A successful student should be able to:

1	display an understanding of the basic building blocks and processes fundamental to Biology
2	understand that the cell is the basic unit of structure of all living organisms
3	appreciate the experimental foundations that underpin our understanding of biology
4	work cooperatively in tutorials and practicals, to gain deeper understanding
5	display an understanding of the observational and experimental character of the scientific method and biology
6	analyse and interpret experimental data and to appreciate the limitations of experimental design and the critical importance of controls
7	write practical reports and to present the experimental results in a valid scientific manner
8	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)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-8
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1-8
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-8
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	7,8
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	6,7
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-8
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1-8
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	8

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Online Free Textbook:
OpenStax Biology,
(Openstax College, Rice University, USA)

Optional Textbook:
Campbell Biology 8th or 9th ed
(Pearson Education)

Personal Protective Equipment (Practicals):
Laboratory Coat
Safety Glasses

Recommended Resources

MyUni:
Course resources as provided including video/audio recording of lectures and copies of PowerPoint slides, as well as additional reading/recommended texts

Weblinks:
As specified during the course

Online Learning

Available on MyUni:
Summative/Formative Mutiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Self-directed learning modules on basic chemistry principles
Video introduction to the practicals
Files for viewing molecular structures in 3-D
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 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 (64 hours)
Lectures 34 x 1 = 34 hours
Tutorials 12 x 1 = 12 hours
Practicals 5 x 3 = 15 hours
Exam 1 x 3 hours = 3 hours.

Non-contact Hours (93 hours)
Weekly reading/other study 3 hours per week = 36 hours
Preparation for tutorials 1 hour per week = 12 hours
Preparation for Practicals 2 hours per practical = 10 hours
Preparation for Tests = 10 hours
Preparation of Practical assessment = 10 hours
Exam preparation= 15 hours

Total = approximately 157 hours

Learning Activities Summary
The topics covered in the course (and supported by the textbook and online resources) are as follows:
- Lectures 1-7: The chemical basis of life, the origin of life, the classes of macromolecules with particular emphasis on proteins and their function
- Lectures 8-10 The cell as the basic structural unit of life, prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, the endosymbiotic theory of plastid evolution, the cytoskeleton and mitosis.
- Lectures 11-13 Membrane structure and transport
- Lectures 14-20 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, photosynthesis
- Lectures 21-25 DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, translation and the genetic code, mutation, PCR.
- Lectures 27-32 Cell cycle, including mitosis and meiosis, patterns of inheritance (Mendelian), gene linkage, genomics
- Lectures 33-34 Revision sessions

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
Online tests	Formative and Summative	Weeks 3 & 6	10%	1-3
Redeemable Tests (x2)	Summative	Weeks 8 & 12	30%	1-3
Practical Assessment	Formative and Summative	Fortnightly throughout semester	25%	1-8
Tutorial Assessment	Formative and Summative	Weekly throughout semester	5%	1-5,8
End of Semester Theory Examination	Summative	In examination period	30-60%	1-3

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).
On line Tests – Total	10%
Online MCQ Test #1 (by COB Week 3) 5% Online MCQ Test #2 (by COB Week 6) 5% * All students can complete each online MCQ test at a time and place of their choosing during the period the quiz is open. Students receive immediate feedback upon completion of each quiz.
Redeemable Supervised Tests - Total	0-30%
Lecture test #1 (Week8) 15% Lecture test #2 (Week12) 15%
Practical Assessment - Total	25%
Practical 1: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 3% Practical 2: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 5% Practical 3: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 5% Practical 4: Report (due 7 days after completion of the practical) 7% Practical 5: Worksheet (due at the completion of your practical) 5% All practical assignments will be marked and returned to the students at 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.

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 Access Adelaide.

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’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide 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