Biology 1 (8772.3)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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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 - 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 - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
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 - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
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
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
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
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
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

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.

A Laboratory Manual will be provided.

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

The final mark for this subject will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. The details are stated in the Assessment Item Details section of the unit outline.

In order to pass the unit, students must  achieve  an overall final mark of at least 50%

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

The 150 hours include time spent in classes. The unit occupies a total of 15 weeks including the examination period.  Therefore it is expected that you should spend about 10 hours per week for this unit.  This might be broken up as follows:

Activity Time
Workshops 2 hours
Laboratory 2 hours
Assignments 1 hour
Journal Preparation 2 hours
Private study including required reading 3 hours

Participation requirements

In this unit you are required to attain and demonstrate laboratory skills such as: lab safety; correct waste procedures; collection and recording biological data; analysis and interpretation of biological data; undertaking Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR); traditional uses of plants and animals; patterns of inheritance; osmosis; cellular respiration in yeast; cellular respiration and photosynthesis in plants; pigment chromatography; enzymes; electrophoresis. To achieve this, students are required to participate in 9/11 laboratory sessions. Participation involves attending and completing the required tasks during the practical session.

Required IT skills

Knowledge of Word, Excel and PowerPoint software is required.

Work placement, internships or practicums

N/A

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