Semester 2, 2020 Online | |
Short Description: | Biology Foundations |
Units : | 1 |
Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
School or Department : | School of Sciences |
Student contribution band : | Band 2 |
ASCED code : | 010999 - Biological Sciences not elsewh |
Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Other requisites
Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at <>.
Students who have enrolled in or completed BIO1101 Biology 1 or BIO1100 Biology Concepts cannot enrol in this course.
Rationale
An understanding of the foundations of biology, including biological patterns and processes, evolution and diversity of life on Earth, and the structure and functioning of organisms and ecosystems is central to the exploration of human impacts on biodiversity and sustainability of natural and modified systems and global environmental changes, including climate change. This course aims to provide a basic grounding in the fundamental concepts of biology in the context of global environments and provides a theoretical foundation suitable for science and non-science students. This course introduces the characteristics and diversity of organisms and provides a comprehensive foundation in cell structure and function, introductory genetics, energy transformations (photosynthesis and respiration), the diversity of plants and animals, an exploration of evolution, and an introduction to ecosystems and global energy flows and biogeochemical cycles. The course is particularly suited to education, engineering, environment and other students seeking an overview of the characteristics of life, biotic form and function and how living organisms behave and respond to changing environments.
Synopsis
This course provides a brief description of the science of biology and the definition and characteristics of life. The classification and diversity of organisms, a comprehensive foundation in cell structure and function, energy transformations critical for the understanding of relationships between organisms and environment, genetics and an introduction to the diversity and evolution of plants and animals are also covered. The course concludes with an introduction to the principles of ecology, ecosystem dynamics, global energy flows and biogeochemical cycling
Objectives
On completion of this course students will be able to:
- critically assess the impact of environmental and climate change on biological processes and systems
- evaluate the role of biology in adapting to and mitigating environmental changes on global, regional and local scale
- understand the concepts of global energy flows and biogeochemical cycling
- understand the processes of photosynthesis, glycolysis and aerobic and anaerobic respiration
- critically assess the role of geochemical cycles and impacts of climate changes on primary productivity in terrestrial, aquatic and marine systems
- apply knowledge of fundamental biological concepts in discussing environmental processes such carbon sequestration in soils and forests
- understand how the mechanisms of evolution are important for understanding biodiversity
- process and present experimental data in a scientifically meaningful manner
- critically analyse experimental data and be able to synthesise valid conclusions from such information
Topics
Description | Weighting(%) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Biodiversity and Classification | 7.69 |
2. | Cell Structure & Function | 7.69 |
3. | Biological Membranes | 7.69 |
4. | Metabolism | 7.69 |
5. | Photosynthesis & Respiration | 7.69 |
6. | Genetics I | 7.69 |
7. | Genetics II | 7.69 |
8. | Evolution I | 7.69 |
9. | Evolution II | 7.69 |
10. | Microbial Diversity | 7.69 |
11. | Plant Diversity | 7.69 |
12. | Animal Diversity | 7.69 |
13. | Ecosystems & Biosphere | 7.72 |
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=02&subject1=BIO8201)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
Student workload expectations
Activity | Hours |
---|---|
Assessments | 26.00 |
Examinations | 2.00 |
Online Lectures | 39.00 |
Online Tutorials | 13.00 |
Private 精东传媒app | 92.00 |
Assessment details
Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | 100 | 20 | 07 Aug 2020 | (see note 1) |
Assignment 2 | 100 | 30 | 11 Sep 2020 | (see note 2) |
Online Exam | 60 | 50 | End S2 | (see note 3) |
Notes
- Assignments must be submitted electronically on the course 精东传媒appDesk.
- Assignments must be submitted electronically on the course 精东传媒appDesk.
- This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via 精东传媒appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the official Alternate Assessment Schedule has been released.
Important assessment information
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Attendance requirements:
There are no attendance requirements for this course. It is the students' responsibility 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. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.
Requirements after S2 2020:
To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C. (Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.) -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 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 S2 2020:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks.
To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2). -
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 obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course. -
Examination information:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 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 S2 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). Students whose first language is not English, may, take an appropriate unmarked non-electronic 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. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S2 2020 are:
The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date.
Requirements after S2 2020:
Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period. -
精东传媒app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
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The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ electronically on the course website. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner.
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Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete-Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete-Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).
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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.