LFS103 Introductory Bioscience

What is this course about?

Description

Introductory Bioscience is designed to provide you, in the health field, with the scientific principles that form the basis of human physiology and anatomy. Science and technology often surround the modern health practitioner. Moreover, major advances in medicine, allied health and human functioning have come about from a greater understanding of the basic sciences. This course will introduce you to foundational concepts and principles in chemistry, biology, and microbiology that are relevant to health-care practice.

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

LFS100

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

It is recommended that students have some prerequisite knowledge in core mathematics, and basic biology and chemistry. An optional Maths Diagnostic will be available before the teaching semester commences on the LFS103 Canvas site if you would like to test your core maths skills and determine whether you require maths support.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

Details of early feedback on progress

This course includes weekly formative concept checks which provide an opportunity for you to receive formative feedback on your academic progress. 

Assessment tasks

Approximately 2 - 4 hours per week

70 minutes

130 minute

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

eWorkshop: Overview of the LFS103 Introductory Bioscience & Cell Chemistry: Matter and the Elements
Laboratory 1: Moonshine can make you go blind: an introduction to the chemistry and biology of why

Week 2

eWorkshop: Cell Chemistry: Atoms and their Ions
Laboratory 2: Measurements in Allied Health Practice: Units of measurement, prefixes and equalities, conversion factors and scale bar calculations

Week 3

eWorkshop: Cell Chemistry, Ionic & Covalent Compounds and Chemical Reactions
Laboratory 3: Building simple covalent compounds

Week 4

eWorkshop: Building Blocks of Life, Chemical Reactions in the Body & Properties of Gases
Laboratory 4: Rate of chemical reactions: and the effects of pH and temperature on enzyme function

Week 5

eWorkshop: The Human Body: Cell Structure and Function
Laboratory 5: Studying human cells using the compound light microscope

Week 6

eWorkshop: The Human Body: Cell Membrane Transport and Cell Division 
Laboratory 6: Osmosis in animal cells & cell division in somatic cells: interphase, mitosis & cytokinesis

Week 7

eWorkshop: The Human Body: Tissue Structure and Function
Laboratory 7: The tissue level of organisation

Week 8

eWorkshop: Solutions, Concentrations and Body Fluids
Laboratory 8: Mid-semester exam

Week 9

eWorkshop: Electrolytes, Acids and Bases and pH Balance in Body Fluids
Laboratory 9: The concept of acids, bases, pH & buffers

Week 10

eWorkshop: Introduction to Human Genetics
Laboratory 10: Human genetics and patterns of inheritance

Week 11

eWorkshop: Introduction to Microbiology and Infection Control
Laboratory 11: Aseptic techniques in clinical microbiology

Week 12

eWorkshop: Microorganisms and Diseases
Laboratory 12: Introduction to diagnostic microbiology

Week 13

eWorkshop: Revision, and how to prepare for final exam
No laboratory: Task 1(4) Case Study test

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 are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) during the LFS103 laboratory classes including covered, non-slip shoes, laboratory coat/gown and safety glasses. You must purchase and bring to the laboratory classes a copy of the LFS103 Practical Workbook and Course Manual, both are available for purchase from UniSC MyPrint. Alternatively, these will be available for printing on the LFS103 Canvas site.

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.

SafeUSC

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 SafeUSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUSC 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
• Administration of Central Examinations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Academic Misconduct
• 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

• In person:
  • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
  • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
  • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
  • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
  • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
  • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
• Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
• Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au