Foundations of Inheritance, Diversity and Evolution (11732.1)

Please note these are the 2022 details for this unit
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Foundations of Inheritance, Diversity and Evolution
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-Campus
 UC - Canberra, Bruce
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Science Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit builds on the foundations taught in Biological Concepts to provide foundational knowledge of metabolic processes and genetics, leading to an exploration of inheritance, diversity, and evolution. Students will be introduced to the concepts of gene expression and regulation, the patterns of inheritance, and genetic variations within populations. Emphasis will be placed on the application of these concepts to real-world scenarios, particularly the impact of inheritance and environment on human health. Students will gain insight to the role of ethics in scientific research and the regulatory science underpinning the use of gene technology in the biotechnology sector.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Interpret, explain and apply knowledge of genetics and epigenetics to mutation, natural selection and evolution;
2. Describe genetic and environmental influence in human disease;
3. Acquire knowledge and understanding that ethics is intrinsic to science and apply that understanding to real life case studies; and
4. Conduct effective experiments, drawing justified conclusions from data and reflecting on the underlying biological principles.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
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 - 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 - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
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

11722 Biological Concepts OR 483 Concepts in Biology

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2023 UC - Canberra, Bruce Semester 2 31 July 2023 On-Campus Dr Katie Cohen
Not available

Required texts

There is no required text for this unit, as relevant chapters from different textbooks for each topic will be embedded in each weekly module on the unit Canvas site. Some of these chapters are taken from Campbell Biology by Urry et al. (2021).

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

All assessment items are to be submitted electronically via the unit Canvas site Dropbox.

Special assessment requirements

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 achieve the learning outcomes and satisfactorily pass assessment items. 

Requirements to pass the unit are as follows:

1. All assessment items (Quiz 1, Quiz 2, Case Study, Educational Resource,Lab Report and Final Assessment) must be attempted. 

2. Participation in at least 7 of the 9 practical sessions is required. It is strongly recommended that you also participate in all tutorial sessions.

3. A total mark of at least 50% must be achieved.

4. A minimum of 40% must be achieved in the Final Assessment.

The final grade is the summative total of all assessment items. The full total final mark is 100.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Learner engagement

In this unit, there are 40 contact hours (11 hours of lectures,18 hours of practical sessions and 11 hours of tutorials). It is expected that the remaining 110 hours is devoted to private and group study, to prepare assessments and develop a good depth of understanding of the content delivered in this unit. 

Inclusion and engagement

Please reach out to the unit convener, either in person or via email, if you are struggling in the unit. We do want to assist you in any way that we can to enable you to complete the unit to the best of your ability.

Participation requirements

It is a requirement of this unit that you participate in at least 7 of the 9 practical sessions. It is also strongly recommended that you attend a tutorial session each week in order to achieve the learning outcomes required to pass this unit. If you are unable to attend your allocated tutorial 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

Students are required to purchase a laboratory coat. It may be a COVID requirement that students also wear P2 masks in tutorials, and P2 masks and safety glasses in laboratory sessions. If this is required, students are expected to provide their own safety glasses and P2 masks.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

The practical classes in this unit are held in a biological laboratory. Safety standards are strictly adhered to in this environment, and all students are expected to read the safety instructions provided to them via the Canvas unit site prior to entry into the laboratory for the first time.