Biological Concepts (11722.1)

Please note these are the 2027 details for this unit
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Biological Concepts
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Science Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit provides an introduction to biology and a foundation for further studies in the Life Sciences. It examines the unifying themes of living organisms including their biomolecules, the structure and function of their cells and how they evolve and interact with their environment. Students undertaking this unit also gain insight into the principles of the scientific process through the collection, recording, analysis and interpretation of biological data, and the effective communication of their findings.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Understand and explain foundational biological concepts related to cells, metabolism, inheritance, and evolution;

2. Apply knowledge of biological concepts to predict and explain observations of the natural world; and
3. Apply knowledge and skills of the scientific process to collect, record, analyse and interpret biological data from a range of sources.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

483 Concepts in Biology

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2027 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Katie Cohen
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Margarita Medina
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 15 February 2027 On-campus Dr Katie Cohen
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 09 August 2027 On-campus Dr Margarita Medina
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Required text book:

There are no required texts for this unit. However, you may want to purchase our custom text: Biological Concepts 11722 (2022), Pearson Publishing. 

This may be purchased online as an e-text, or a print version. There are copies of this text, and copies of the parent book: Campbell Biology 11th edition by Urry et al, 2018, in the University of Canberra library.

Required printing:

Biological Concepts Laboratory and Workshops Manual, 2025 edition. The electronic version will be available on the Biological Concepts Canvas site under each module activities.

Students are required to bring a printed copy of this workbook to all laboratory sessions and complete the activities.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial Intelligence

The use of GenAI is NOT allowed in completing the assessments. Therefore, students must not use GenAI in the creation, writing and completing any assessments in this unit. Students are permitted to use Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus to seek feedback on drafts on their assignments. 

The quizzes, case studies and research report are to be submitted electronically via the unit Canvas site, unless explicitly stated. The Final Exam will be held in-person, on campus.

The extension policy does not apply for participation requirements (i.e. participation/attendance in the laboratory). If you miss a lab session, extensions are not possible and you will have an absence recorded.

Special assessment requirements

1. A total mark of at least 50% must be achieved as a requirement to pass the unit. Your participation in both class and online activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation may result in your inability to meet learning outcomes and satisfactorily pass assessment items. Participation in the face-to-face workshops and labs will enable students to achieve the learning outcomes of this unit. 

2. It is required that students participate in practical sessions in order to attain required practical skills and meet the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO) 2 and 3:

  • ULO 2. Apply knowledge of biological concepts to predict and explain observations of the natural world; and
  • ULO 3. Apply knowledge and skills of the scientific process to collect, record, analyse and interpret biological data from a range of sources.

The required laboratory skills are laboratory safety, use of microscope, correct waste procedures, scientific drawing, preparation of slides, pipetting, interpretation and collection of data, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), traditional uses of plants and animals, chromatography, and patterns of inheritance. To demonstrate achievement of the required number of skills, students are required to participate in at least 75% of the face-to-face practical sessions (6 out of 8 face-to-face practical sessions). Participation involves attending and completing the required tasks during the practical session. Participation and completion of all activities will be recorded at the end of each practical session.

If you are unable to attend your allocated workshop or practical session, please contact the unit convener to arrange attendance at another session. A medical certificate, or other supporting documentation, is required when a student is unable to participate in a practical session in any given week. 

The unit convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes. 

The use of GenAI in assessments

Artificial intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit, except for Studiosity Writing Feedback Plus.

GenAI may only be used in authorised ways when completing assessments at UC. This means that GenAI can only be used for an assessment when:

  1. the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
  2. the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
  3. the student fully acknowledges their use of GenAI, with proper citations, references and a GenAI Acknowledgement Statement in line with the assessment instructions.

Where the assessment instructions do not specifically state that GenAI may be used and how, then its use is not permitted for that assessment. Students must still provide the required GenAI Acknowledgement Statement to indicate whether GenAI has or has not been used in the preparation of the assessment. If unsure, students should seek advice from the Unit Convener.

The GenAI for Students Library Guide provides further information, including how to reference GenAI Links to an external site..

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

In this unit, students are required to participate in 16 on-campus contact hours (16 hours of practical sessions).  It is expected that students will also attend 24 hours of workshops during the semester. Students are also expected to complete 4 hours of online practical sessions. The remaining 102 hours are devoted to private and group study to prepare for, and complete, quizzes and assessments and to develop a good depth of understanding of the content delivered in this unit. This includes viewing a weekly recorded lecture. There are also PALS sessions (it is strongly recommended that students attend these).

The unit convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes. 

Inclusion and engagement

Students are encouraged to contact the Wellbeing team if they would like extra support in order to thrive at UC. 

We would like to support your learning journey in this unit. If you would like extra support (for example, if you are anxious or stressed) or if you are neurodiverse and would like to discuss ways in which the content can be delivered so that it is accessible to you, please contact the convener at any time at katie.cohen@canberra.edu.au 

Participation requirements

It is required that students participate in practical sessions in order to attain required practical skills and meet the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO) 2 and 3:

  • ULO 2. Apply knowledge of biological concepts to predict and explain observations of the natural world; and
  • ULO 3. Apply knowledge and skills of the scientific process to collect, record, analyse and interpret biological data from a range of sources.

The required laboratory skills are laboratory safety, use of microscope, correct waste procedures, scientific drawing, preparation of slides, pipetting, interpretation and collection of data, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), traditional uses of plants and animals, chromatography, and patterns of inheritance. To demonstrate achievement of the required number of skills, students are required to participate in at least 75% of the face-to-face practical sessions (6 out of 8 face-to-face practical sessions). Participation involves attending and completing the required tasks during the practical session. Participation and completion of all activities will be recorded at the end of each practical session.

If you are unable to attend your allocated workshop or practical session, please contact the unit convener to arrange attendance at another session. A medical certificate, or other supporting documentation, is required when a student is unable to participate in a practical session in any given week. 

Required IT skills

It is assumed that students have skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

In-unit costs

A laboratory coat and a botany exercise book (with alternating ruled and blank pages) are to be purchased for this unit. These items can be purchased from the UC Shop, workwear stores or online. However, if you will have difficulty covering the cost of these, please discuss with your unit convener.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

The practical classes in this unit are held in a biological laboratory. Safety standards are strictly followed in this environment, and all students are expected to read the safety instructions found in the practical and workshop manual prior to entry into the laboratory for the first time. Students are also expected to listen attentively to safety standards stated at the start of each practical session.

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