BIOLOGY 1101 - Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

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 1101
Course	Biology I: Molecules, Genes and Cells
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 5.5 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	SACE Stage 2 Chemistry with Subject Achievement grade of at least C+ or equivalent
Incompatible	BIOLOGY 1101ND, BIOLOGY 1101BR, BIOLOGY 1401
Restrictions	Available to students in the B.Food & Nutrition Sc, B,Sc (Biomedical Science), B.Sc (Biotechnology) and students in other programs who meet the pre-requisite requirements
Assessment	End of semester exam, 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	Describe the structures and biological functions of DNA, RNA, lipids, carbohydrates and protein.
2	Describe the structures of cells and their internal organelles.
3	Explain the differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.
4	Explain the metabolic pathways cells use to obtain and transform energy during the life cycle.
5	Explain osmosis, the role of lipid membranes and the consequence of a cell wall.
6	Explain the molecular basis of inheritance and cell division.
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)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1-7
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	7
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	1-7
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	7
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	1-7

Learning Resources

Required Resources

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
Files for viewing molecular structures in 3-D
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
5 x 3 hour practicals per Semester

Workload

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

Contact Hours (48 hours)
Lectures 20 x 1 = 20 hours
Workshops 10 x 1 = 10 hours
Practicals 5 x 3 = 15 hours
Exam 1 x 3 hours = 3 hours.

Non-contact Hours (103 hours)
Weekly reading/other study 2 hours per week = 24 hours
Preparation for Lectures 2 hours per week = 24 hours
Preparation for Workshops 1 hour per workshop = 10 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 151 hours

Learning Activities Summary
The topics covered in the course (and supported by the tutorials, workshops, textbook and online resources) are as follows:
- Lectures 1-5: The chemical basis of life, the origin of life, the classes of macromolecules with particular emphasis on proteins and their function
- Lectures 6-7 The cell as the basic structural unit of life, prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, the endosymbiotic theory of plastid evolution, the cytoskeleton and mitosis.
- Lectures 8-9 Membrane structure and transport
- Lectures 10-14 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 15-17 DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing, translation and the genetic code, mutation, PCR.
- Lectures 18-20 Cell cycle, including mitosis and meiosis, patterns of inheritance (Mendelian), gene linkage, genomics

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 (x3)	Summative	Weeks 4, 9 & 12	0-30%	1-6
Online modules/quizzes	Formative and Summative	Week 3	5%	1-6
Workshop Assessment	Formative and summative	Weekly throughout semester	5%	1-6
Practical Assessment	Formative and Summative	Fortnightly throughout semester	30%	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 10% if used to redeem workshop test 1) C. optional section consisting of multiple choice questions (potentially 10% if used to redeem workshop test 2). D. optional section consisting of multiple choice questions (potentially 10% if used to redeem workshop test 3).
Redeemable Supervised Tests - Total	0-30%
Workshop test #1 - Closed book (Week 4) 10% Workshop test #2 - Closed book (Week 9) 10% Workshop test #3 - Closed book (Week 12 ) 10%
Online modules /quizzes – Total	5%
An online tutorial and quiz will be available on MyUni during week 3.
Workshop Assessment	5%
All workshops are regarded as both formative and summative and each student will be assessed on their attendance AND participation (5%)
Practical Assessment - Total	30%
Practical 1: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 4% Practical 2: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 6% Practical 3: Worksheet (due at the completion of practical) 6% Practical 4: Report (due 7 days after completion of the practical) 8% Practical 5: Worksheet (due at the completion of your practical) 6% All practical assignments will be marked and returned to the students at their following practical session

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