BIOLOGY 1520 - Biology I: Organisms (Veterinary Bioscience)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course focuses on the biology and diversity of multicellular organisms, with evolution as the central theme. It addresses key questions in biology: What are plants and animals? How do they evolve? How do they function? How do they interact with other organisms and the environment? These questions are answered by analysing the scientific evidence that supports current theory.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOLOGY 1520
Course	Biology I: Organisms (Veterinary Bioscience)
Coordinating Unit	School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 7 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Restrictions	Available to B Sc (Veterinary Bioscience) students only
Assessment	Exam, assignment, practical reports

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	Explain how evolution by natural selection has affected the diversity of organisms on earth
2	Predict how selection pressures will influence the traits of individuals in a population
3	Explain how the structures and their functions in individual organisms enable them to respond to the main problems of growth and development, survival and reproduction, especially plants, animals and other eukaryotes
4	Formulate plausible hypotheses to explain the origin and function of biological traits in organisms
5	Explain how the key ecological processes affect the distribution and abundance of organisms
6	Analyse how these ecological processes affect selected populations
7	Analyse and interpret experimental data and appreciate the limitations of experimental design and the critical importance of controls
8	Write reports and present the experimental results in a valid scientific manner
9	Find, evaluate, summarise and use primary information sources to support a scientific argument
10	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.	1-10
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1-10
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-10
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	7-10
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	7-9
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-10
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1-10
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	10

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Online Resources:
Learning Catalytics (supplied)
Pearson Education

Mastering Bio (supplied)
Pearson Education

Personal Protective Equipment (Practicals):
Laboratory Coat
Safety Glasses
dissection kit

Recommended Resources

Text Book:
Campbell Biology 10e (Australian and NZ edition)
Hardcopy and/or electronic copy

Mobile Device
An internet capable mobile device (eg phone, tablet, laptop etc) will allow participation in lectures and tutes

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 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Self-directed learning modules on basic chemistry principles
Video introduction to the practicals
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 (68 hours)
Lectures 33 x 1 = 33 hours
Tutorials 12 x 1 = 12 hours
Practicals 6 x 3 = 18 hours
Lecture tests 2 x 1 = 2 hours
Exam 1 x 3 hours = 3 hours.

Non-contact Hours (96 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 = 12 hours
Preparation for Tests = 10 hours
Preparation of Practical assessment = 6 hours
Essay research and preparation = 15 hours
Exam preparation= 15 hours

Total = approximately 174 hours

Learning Activities Summary
The topics covered in the course (and supported by the textbook and online resources) are as follows:
- Lectures 1-6: Evolution.
- Lectures 7-8: Protists and Fungi.
- Lectures 9-17: Plant Biology.
- Session 18 - Lecture Test 1.
- Lectures 19-26: Animal Biology.
- Lectures 27-34: Ecology.
- Session 35 - Lecture Test 2.

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
Redeemable Tests (x2)	Summative	Weeks 6 & 12	0-30%	1-6
Practical Assessment	Formative and Summative	Weeks 2,4,6,8,10 & 12	20%	1-10
Tutorial Assessment	Formative and Summative	Weekly throughout semester	5%	1-10
Essay/briefing paper	Formative and Summative	Week 8	15%	8-9
End of Semester Theory Examination	Summative	In examination period	30-60%	1-6

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).
Essay/Briefing Paper – Total	15%
Students select a given topic and research the relevant primary literature to address the topic or question. This is an individual piece of written work. 15%
Redeemable Supervised Tests - Total	0-30%
Lecture test #1 (Week6) 15% Lecture test #2 (Week12) 15%
Practical Assessment - Total	20%
Practical 1: Evolution (worksheet due at the completion of practical) 3% Practical 2: Fungi, Lichens & Algae (worksheet due at the completion of practical) 3% Practical 3: Plant Biology (worksheet due at the completion of practical) 4% Practical 4: Invertebrates (worksheet due at the completion of practical) 4% Practical 5: Vertebrate Srtucture and Function (worksheet due at the completion of practical) 3% Practical 6: Ecology of Populations (worksheet due at the completion of practical) 3% All worksheets 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