Biology 1 (8772.3)

Please note these are the 2018 details for this unit
Home
/
Find your course
/
Biology 1
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 UC College, Bruce, ACT
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 introduces some of the basic processes exhibited by living organisms. This unit follows on from Introduction to Biology and extends on the foundations of biology enabling later studies in areas related to the life sciences. The subject examines the characteristics of living organisms and the structure of cells; energy flow, nutrition and metabolism; information storage and gene expression; and reproduction and inheritance. Emphasis is placed on the relevance of these processes to the human model as well as ecological and environmental systems.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate skills in applying knowledge of some basic concepts in biology in the area of cell organisation, metabolism, reproduction and inheritance;
2. Apply skills in the interpretation of biological phenomena;
3. Apply skills in the collection, recording, analysis and interpretation of biological data;
4. Apply skills in effective written and oral communication; and
5. Apply skills in the design and conduct of simple experiments.


Graduate attributes

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
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
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 - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

Introduction to Biology, 8774.

Corequisites

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 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
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2025 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
2026 UC College, Bruce, ACT Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Robert Berthon
Not available

Required texts

There are no required texts for this unit. However, you may want to purchase our custom textbook: 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.

A Laboratory Manual will be provided via Canvas.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial Intelligence

Students are not permitted to use generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in assessments for this unit.

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.

Special assessment requirements

Students are required to attain 9/11 lab skills in order to demonstrate ULO 2 and to meet WIL requirements. These lab skills are: lab safety; use of microscope; correct waste procedures; scientific drawing; preparation of slides; interpretation and collection of data; classification of arthropods; mechanisms of genetic change; understanding morphological changes in hominid evolution; understanding the expression of phenotypes from genotypes; identifying phases of cell reproduction. To demonstrate achievement of the required number of skills, students will need to participate in a minimum of 80% of Practical sessions. Participation involves attending and completing the required tasks during the practical session. 

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 12 on-campus contact hours (12 practical sessions).  It is expected that students will also attend 26 hours of workshops (13 sessions)  during the semester. The remaining 110 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. 
 

Participation requirements

To achieve learning outcomes 3 (LO3) and 5 (LO5), you are required to attain and demonstrate the following labratory skills: 

  • Lab safety 
  • Correct waste procedures
  • Collection and recording of biological data 
  • Aanalysis and intepretation of biological data 
  • Completing a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) experiement 
  • Traditional uses of plant and animals 
  • Cellular respiration in year 
  • Pigment chromatography 
  • Enzymes 
  • Complete Electrophersis 

In addition, to achieve LO3 and LO5, students are required to participate in a minimum of 9 out of 11 scheduled laboratory sessions. Participation involves attending and completing the required tasks during each practical. 

Required IT skills

Knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint software is required.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None