Introduction to Biology (8774.3)
| 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) |
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 effectively1. 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 - 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
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.| 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 |
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:
- the Unit Convener has authorised GenAI use for that assessment
- the student uses GenAI in the way that the assessment instructions allow
- 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.
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. 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; 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 and identifying phases of cell reproduction. 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, PowerPoint and Excel is assumed.
Work placement, internships or practicums
None
- Semester 1, 2025, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (224468)
- Semester 2, 2024, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (217925)
- Semester 1, 2024, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (218341)
- Semester 2, 2023, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (213776)
- Semester 1, 2023, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (212725)
- Semester 2, 2022, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (207311)
- UC College Trimester 1, 2022, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (207136)
- UC College Trimester 1, 2021, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (200207)
- UC College Trimester 1, 2020, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (193035)
- UC College Trimester 1, 2019, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (192224)
- Semester 2, 2018, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (182347)
- Semester 1, 2018, On-campus, UC - University of Canberra College, Bruce (182346)
