Home | Contact us | Staff directory
USQ Home > Programs and Courses > 2008 USQ Course specifications > B > BIO1101 S2

BIO1101 Biology 1

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
BIO 1101 79516 2, 2008 ONC Biology 1 1.00 Toowoomba
Academic group: FOSCI
Academic org: FOS002
Student contribution band: 2
ASCED code: 010999

Contents


STAFFING

Examiner: Lisa Reardon
Moderator: John Dearnaley


REQUISITES

Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in the following Program: ABMS


RATIONALE

This course aims at providing students with a basic grounding in the fundamental concepts of biology and the application of scientific method in solving problems. It provides a theoretical and practical foundation for science and non-science students.



SYNOPSIS

This course provides a brief history to life on earth, introduces the characteristics and diversity of organisms and provides a comprehensive foundation in cell structure and function, introductory genetics, energy transformations (photosynthesis and respiration), the evolution and classification of plants, introduction to morphology, anatomy and physiology of flowering plants, principles of ecology and an introduction to the evolution of animals and the tissue and organ systems of animals. The scientific method is used to design, perform and interpret the results of experiments in biology.



OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.
outline the principles of biological classification and binomial nomenclature (Mid Semester Test);
2.
demonstrate an understanding of the evolutionary history of life on earth (Mid Semester Test);
3.
examine and describe the structure and function of cells and their organelles (Mid Semester Test, Practical Report 1);
4.
describe the structure of cell membranes and outline the principles governing dialysis, osmosis and membrane transport systems (Mid Semester Test, Practical Report 1);
5.
demonstrate an understanding of cell reproduction, DNA structure and protein synthesis and basic Mendelian genetics (Mid Semester Test);
6.
discuss the laws governing energy transformations and the role of enzymes in biological systems (End Semester Test);
7.
outline the processes of photosynthesis, glycolysis, aerobic and anaerobic respiration (End Semester Test, Practical Report 2);
8.
outline the evolution of plants and identify the basic characteristics of some major plant groups (End Semester Test);
9.
demonstrate familiarity with the basic anatomy, morphology and physiology of flowering plants (End Semester Test);
10.
outline the evolution and diversity of animals (End Semester Test);
11.
differentiate between the main groups of vertebrates and invertebrates and classify organisms into these groups (End Semester Test);
12.
describe basic animal structure in terms of tissues and organ systems (End Semester Test);
13.
outline the ways in which animals acquire nutrients and describe the structure and function of organs associated with this process (End Semester Test);
14.
give an overview of ecological principles and processes at the ecosystem level (End Semester Test);
15.
demonstrate appreciation of the impact of humans and their activities on the environment (End Semester Test);
16.
plan, conduct and report simple scientific experiments in biology (Practical Report 1, Report Practical 2).


TOPICS


Description Weighting (%)
1. Biodiversity and Classification: Unity and diversity of life: biological organization, basic life processes, origins and diversity of life; Classification and Naming Organisms: principles and problems of classification, taxonomic hierarchy, species concept, binomial nomenclature system of classification.
 16.00
2. Cell Structure and Function: Cell Structure and Function - An Overview: cell theory, basic cell structure and function, procaryotic and eucaryotic cells, cell organelles; Membrane Structure and Function: basic models of membrane structure, diffusion, osmosis, dialysis, membrane transport: facilitated diffusion, active transport, endocytosis, exocytosis. Meiosis and mitosis, DNA structure: genes to proteins, simple Mendelian genetics.
 22.00
3. Energy Transformations: Metabolism: Ground Rules and Main Principles: laws governing energy transformations, metabolic reactions and pathways, enzymes, coupling and ATP; Energy - Acquiring Metabolism: photosynthesis and chemosynthesis; Energy - Releasing Metabolism: glycolysis, aerobic and anaerobic pathways, energy yields.
 14.00
4. Plants 1: The diversity of plants, plant evolution, lower plants, gymnosperms, angiosperms, angiosperm morphology, angiosperm anatomy, angiosperm physiology.
 16.00
5. Animals I: Overview - invertebrates and the origin of animal diversity, the vertebrate genealogy, an introduction to animal structure and function, animal nutrition.
 16.00
6. Introductory Ecology - what is ecology? ecosystem components, flow of energy, biogeochemical cycles, systems ecology, human impact on the environment.
 16.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Laboratory Coat.

Dissection Kit.

Campbell, NA, Reece, JB & Meyers, N 2006, Biology, 7th edn, Pearson, Benjamin Cummings, San Francisco, California.
(Australian Version)

Dearnaley, J, Le Brocque, A & Withers, KW 2007, Biology 1 practical notes and exercises, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba.

Taylor, MR 2005, Student study guide for Biology, 7th edn, Benjamin/Cummings, California.



REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Pechenik, JA 2007, A short guide to writing about Biology, 6th edn, Pearson Longman, Boston.
(ISBN 0 321 15981 0)



STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY HOURS
Assignments 30.00
Laboratory or Practical Classes 21.00
Private Study 116.00
Test 3.00


ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date Notes
PTBOF1HR CLSD THEORY TEST S/A 20.00 5.00 25 Aug 2008 (see note 1)
PTAOF1HR CLSD THEORY TEST M/C 40.00 15.00 25 Aug 2008  
PRACTICAL REPORT 1 100.00 15.00 01 Sep 2008 (see note 2)
PRACTICAL REPORT 2 100.00 25.00 26 Sep 2008  
PTA OF 2HR CLSD THEORY TEST 80.00 25.00 03 Nov 2008 (see note 3)
PTB OF2HR CLSD THEORY TEST S/A 40.00 15.00 03 Nov 2008  
NOTES
1.
Examiner will inform students of due date for Mid semester test.
2.
Examiner will inform students of due date for Laboratory reports.
3.
Test dates will be available during the Semester. Please refer to Semester 2 ABMS Introductory Book

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

  1. Attendance requirements:
    It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration. To maximize their chances of satisfying the objectives of the practical component of the course, students should attend and actively participate in the laboratory sessions in the course.
  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    To satisfactorily complete an assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. Students do not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to be awarded a passing grade in this course. Refer to Statement 4 below for the requirements to receive a passing grade in this course.
  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    If students submit assignments after the due date without (prior) approval of the examiner then a penalty of 5% of the total marks gained by the student for the assignment may apply for each working day late up to ten working days at which time a mark of zero may be recorded.. No assignments will be accepted after model answers have been posted.
  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    N/A
  6. Examination information:
    In a Closed Test, candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the test.
  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    As there are no examinations for this course there will not be any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course.
  8. University Regulations:
    Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9. In order to attend laboratory classes, students must provide and wear appropriate personal protective equipment. This shall include a laboratory coat, closed in shoes, and safety glasses. Such equipment must be approved by supervising staff. Failure to provide and wear the appropriate safety equipment will result in students being excluded from classes.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

  1. Students will require access to the Internet for this course.

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.
ABN: 40 234 732 081 | CRICOS: QLD 00244B | NSW 02225M | © University of Southern Queensland | Right to Information | Disclaimer | Privacy | Feedback | Contact us | Updated 15 Jul 2009