LFS100 Cell Biology

What is this course about?

Description

Cell Biology explores the cellular foundation of life in animals, including humans, plants and microorganisms. You will explore the connection between the structure and function of cells, aspects of their evolution, and their organisation into the primary tissues of organisms. The course offers you the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the skills important for scientific experimentation and investigation in the fields of science and biomedical science, including practical laboratory skills and science communication. It provides a strong foundation for further studies in physiology, molecular biology and genetics relevant to sciences broadly, including biomedicine.

How will this course be delivered?

Course Topics

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

SCI103 or LFS101 or LFS103

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

Details of early feedback on progress

This course will provide you with early feedback on your learning of cell biology topics and scientific skills. This feedback will be in the form of in-class feedback on a formative class preparation task in week 2, and subsequent in-class feedback on summative class preparation tasks from week 2 onwards. In addition, there are weekly formative online quizzes throughout semester and a summative quiz in week 3. You can use the feedback provided to identify if you require additional support for your learning of cell biology.

Assessment tasks

Multiple components:
Laboratory class preparation and participation - 5-10 minutes for each set of prelab questions and 3 hour class participation; 
Quizzes -15 – 25 minutes per quiz;
Graphing assignment, week 7 – approximately 20 minutes; 
Practical exam in week 13 – 90 minutes duration

Wk 4 Checkpoint approx 50 words; Week 10 
complete CSi approximately 500 words plus one diagram

2 hours

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Week 1: Cell structure and Function (Part 1)

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Cell structure and function of Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic cells
Workshop 1: Course introduction, scientific drawing and scale bar calculations

Week 2: Cell structure and Function (Part 2)

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Cell structure and function of Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic cells
Laboratory 1: An introduction to the cell using compound light microscopy

Week 3: Cell membrane structure and function

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Cell membrane structure and function 
Workshop 2: Preparing results from experimental data; graphing exercises; Concept revision: cell structure and function

Week 4: Introduction to cell metabolism

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Introduction to cell metabolism 
Laboratory 2: Osmosis in cells

Week 5: Cell communication

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Cell communication
Workshop 3: Concept revision cell membrane structure and function and cell metabolism

Week 6: The cell cycle and cell division

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: The cell cycle and cell division. 
Laboratory 3: Enzyme activity (catalase) in liver tissue

Week 7: Genetics I – Mendel and the Gene Idea

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Genetics I – Mendel and the Gene Idea
Workshop 4: Using a Rubric for assessment and Cycle Revision

Week 8: Genetics II – The chromosomal basis of inheritance

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Genetics II – The chromosomal basis of inheritance
Laboratory 4: Garlic root tip squash chromosomes in mitosis) and Reebop genetics

Week 9: Introduction to Molecular Biology – DNA to Protein

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Introduction to Molecular Biology – DNA to Protein 
Workshop 5: Assessment preparation - using Turnitin in Canvas and Concept revision - Genetics and DNA activities

Week 10: Animal cells and tissues

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: Animals tissues 
Laboratory 5: Animal cells and tissues

Week 11: Plant cells and tissues

Online Learning materials and Weekly Lectorial: Plants cells and tissues
Workshop 6: Concept revision animal and plant cells and tissues; assessment preparation week 13 Practical Exam

Week 12: Case studies in eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

Online Learning Materials and Weekly Lectorial: applications to cell function
Laboratory 6: Plant Cells and Tissues

Week 13: Semester Review

Weekly Lectorial: Review of the semester's learning materials to prepare for Task 3 Final Examination
Workshop 7: Task 1 Practical Exam

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Specific requirements

You must wear a lab coat, enclosed shoes, and safety glasses during laboratory classes. You must either purchase and bring to lab classes a copy of the LFS100 Cell Biology Workbook: Workshop and Laboratory manual.  A bound copy of the workbook will be available for purchase from Mail and Print Services (MaPS) , or alternatively print the manual and bind it yourself.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
a.	The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
b.	The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
c.	You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate (the rates are cumulative): 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day 
- 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. 
To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

• Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
• Review of Assessment and Final Grades
• Supplementary Assessment
• Central Examinations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Conduct
• Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

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