Course specification for BIO1204

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BIO1204 Introduction to Biomedical Sciences

Semester 1, 2020 On-campus Toowoomba
Short Description: Intro to Biomedical Sciences
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Health and Wellbeing
Student contribution band : Band 2
ASCED code : 010913 - Human Biology
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Rationale

Biomedical sciences comprise the scientific disciplines that investigate human health and disease across the lifespan. It is the study of the human body's normal function and structure and how this function and structure is compromised through injury, disease and the ageing process. This course will introduce students to foundational theory and practical skills in biomedical science as well as the professional and ethical principles that underpin this field. It will prepare students for future studies in genetics, cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology as well as showcase future career options with a face-to-face and online careers panel held during the semester

Synopsis

This course introduces students to foundational concepts in biomedical science through the study of the human body from the earliest stages of life through to old age. The course includes an introduction to the molecular basis of cells that comprise the human body, human reproduction, basic Mendelian genetics and ageing processes. It also emphasises the importance of ethics and professional practice in biomedical science by exploring some of the human rights controversies associated with past biomedical advances.

This course contains a highly recommended residential school for external students and highly recommended on-campus laboratories or practical classes for on-campus students (non-attendance will mean the student misses both an element for assessment preparation and an element of assessment).

Objectives

On completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. describe the molecular basis of cells in the human body;
  2. explain the cellular changes that drive human development from pre-fertilisation through to old age;
  3. detail the basis of genetic variation and heredity explained by Mendelian inheritance;
  4. employ scientific methods and quantitative skills in a biomedical science laboratory;
  5. apply and evaluate ethical and professional conduct in biomedical science;
  6. demonstrate written communication skills relevant to biomedical sciences.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Molecular basis of cells and cell function 10.00
2. Human development: mitosis and meiosis, early embryo development, pregnancy, life stages and ageing 20.00
3. Mendelian genetics: genes, genetic variation and heredity 20.00
4. Ethics in biomedical science 20.00
5. Quantitative and laboratory skills 10.00
6. The scientific method 20.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=BIO1204)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

Marieb, EN & Hoehn, K 2018, Human anatomy and physiology, 11th edn, Pearson, Boston.
(Pack includes, textbook, Interactive Physiology 10-System Suite, A Brief Atlas to the Human Body 2nd edn. and Access to myA&P Website with my eBook for Human Anatomy & Physiology, Eighth Edition.)

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
Appropriate reading materials will be made available for students through ¾«¶«´«Ã½appDesk.

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Assessments 20.00
Laboratory 16.00
Lectures 26.00
Private ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 77.00
Tutorials 26.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
Annotated Bibliography 20 20 31 Mar 2020 (see note 1)
Laboratory Report 20 20 12 May 2020 (see note 2)
Online Exam 100 60 End S1 (see note 3)

Notes
  1. Examiner to advise details for the assessment.
  2. Examiner to advise details for the assessment. This assessment is linked to the residential school/laboratory. The dates and location of the highly recommended residential school are available from the Residential School Timetable (http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/current/resschoolsched.html). On-campus students can follow the Class Timetables (https://www.usq.edu.au/current-students/organise-enrolment/timetables/class) as a guide or enrolled students can refer to their student portal and navigate to Student Centre>Self Service>Timetables>My Weekly Schedule.
  3. This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via ¾«¶«´«Ã½appDesk. The examination date will be available via Uconnect when the official examination timetable has been released.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    External students are highly recommended to attend the residential school and on-campus students are highly recommended to attend the scheduled laboratories or practical classes as the residential school and laboratories or practical classes are linked to an assessment or an element of assessment preparation. It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    To complete each of the assignments satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assignment. To complete the examination satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for the examination.

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4)

  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks (or grades) obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.

  6. Examination information:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination. The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are: writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination); calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination). Students whose first language is not English, may, take an appropriate unmarked nonelectronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination. Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate's possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held in the examination period of the next semester.

  8. ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. As part of the highly recommended residential school, students may be expected to complete a combination of laboratories, practical classes and assessment as advised by the course examiner.

  2. Students should be aware that the originality of any submitted assignment will be checked by the USQ service, "Turnitin". An originality index must be generated and will be checked - an acceptable Turnitin similarity index is <15%.

  3. Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.

Other requirements

  1. In order to attend laboratory classes, students must provide and wear appropriate personal protective equipment. This shall include a laboratory coat, closed in shoes, and safety glasses. Such equipment must be approved by supervising staff. Failure to provide and wear the appropriate safety equipment will result in students being excluded from classes.

Date printed 19 June 2020