Introduction to Biology (8774.3)

Please note these are the 2025 details for this unit
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Introduction to Biology
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 provides an introduction to key concepts in the biological sciences including cell theory, inheritance and genetics, evolution and biodiversity, and animal and plant form and function. It will include basic laboratory skills such as microscopy and the handling of biological materials.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts in biology, and how to apply this knowledge in novel settings;
2. Apply skills in biological investigations and the analysis of biological data;
3. Apply skills in working in a group; and
4. Apply skills in communicating ideas in biology.


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
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

None.

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.

Note: you will be continuing with the same text book in Biology 1 in the following semester.

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.

The on-line quizzes will be accessed directly from the Canvas website.

The laboratory journal will be hand-written and submitted in class.

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.

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 laboratory skills including: 

  • Lab safety 
  • Use of microscopes 
  • Correct waste procedures 
  • Produce scientific drawings 
  • Preparation of slides 
  • Interpetation and collecting data 
  • Classifying Arthropods 
  • Mechansisms of genetic change 
  • Understanding morphological changes in hominid evolution
  • Understanding expression of phenotypes from genotypes 
  • Identifying phases of cell reproduction. 

In addition, in order 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 session. 

Required IT skills

Knowledge of Word, PowerPoint and Excel is assumed.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

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