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Not currently available in 2021
Unit description
Covers material on cell structure, physio-chemical cellular responses, plant and animal physiology, structure and diversity, elementary genetics, population concepts, natural selection and evolution as well as the necessary practical techniques required to demonstrate biological processes in living organisms. Initiates the development of competence in practical skills and scientific report writing.
Unit content
Introduction to biological hierarchies – molecules to biosphere • Life criteria, cell theory, cell, tissue and organ structure • Photosynthesis, respiration and transpiration • Plant structure, diversity and classification • Animal physiology, structure, diversity and classification • Cell replication, genetics and heredity, molecular genetics • Evolution
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | |
|---|---|
| 1 | explain the cellular basis of life, and describe such processes as diffusion, osmosis, active uptake, photosynthesis and respiration |
| 2 | list the diagnostic features by which living organisms are classified into taxonomic groups and outline phylogenetic relationships |
| 3 | state the morphological, anatomical and physiological features of living organisms that adapt them to their environment |
| 4 | describe elements of plant and animal physiology |
| 5 | describe how cells divide and explain the genetic basis of heredity and population variation |
| 6 | discuss the origins of variation within a population and the manner in which natural selection operates on that variation to produce evolutionary change |
| 7 | apply a range of practical skills. |
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- explain the cellular basis of life, and describe such processes as diffusion, osmosis, active uptake, photosynthesis and respiration
- list the diagnostic features by which living organisms are classified into taxonomic groups and outline phylogenetic relationships
- state the morphological, anatomical and physiological features of living organisms that adapt them to their environment
- describe elements of plant and animal physiology
- describe how cells divide and explain the genetic basis of heredity and population variation
- discuss the origins of variation within a population and the manner in which natural selection operates on that variation to produce evolutionary change
- apply a range of practical skills.
Prescribed texts
- This book is available in various editions, any of which could be used: Reece, JB, Taylor, MR, Simon, EJ & Dickey, JL, 2015, Campbell Biology: Pearson New International Edition: Concepts and Connections, 8th edn, Pearson, San Francisco. ISBN: 9781292057804.
Teaching and assessment
| Teaching method |
| Lecture online 2 hrs (11 weeks) |
| Practical session 3 hrs (11 weeks) |
| Assessment | |
| Practical skills | 15% |
| Quiz | 15% |
| Report | 30% |
| Exam: closed book | 40% |
| Teaching method |
| Lecture on-site 2 hours (11 weeks) |
| Practical session 3 hours (11 weeks) |
| Assessment | |
| Practical skills | 15% |
| Quiz | 15% |
| Report | 30% |
| Exam: closed book | 40% |
| Teaching method |
| Practical session 3 hrs (11 weeks) |
| Lecture on-site 2 hrs (11 weeks) |
| Assessment | |
| Practical skills | 15% |
| Quiz | 15% |
| Report | 30% |
| Exam: closed book | 40% |
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
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International
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