Course Coordinator:Lyris Snowden (lsnowde1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Education and Tertiary Access
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton BayUniSC CabooltureUniSC Fraser CoastUniSC Gympie |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Online |
Online | You can do this course without coming onto campus. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
Biology is the study of life. It is foundational to understanding both ourselves and the world around us. This course enables you to acquire basic knowledge in the principles of biology so that you may better undertake study in first year university biology related courses. The course is specifically designed for those students who have not completed high school biology, or who have done so and wish to refresh their knowledge and understanding of the discipline.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – You are required to engage and interact with VLM (Video Learning Materials) of 40 to 60 minutes duration on a weekly basis. In addition, there may be related activities based on this content. | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Tutorials are delivered face to face at the nominated campus locations. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Online | |||
Learning materials – You are required to engage and interact with VLM (Video Learning Materials) of 40 to 60 minutes duration on a weekly basis. In addition, there may be related activities based on this content. | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Tutorials will be delivered online. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
100 Level (Introductory)
12 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | |
1 | Characterise the key features of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, the domains and kingdoms | Knowledgeable |
2 | Explain how the chemical structure of water results in its four emergent properties | Knowledgeable |
3 | Identify macromolecules, describe their key characteristics and provide examples. | Knowledgeable |
4 | Describe the structure of eukaryotic cells, naming the organelles and recalling their function | Knowledgeable |
5 | Describe cell membrane structure and the types of transport across the cell membrane | Knowledgeable |
6 | Recognise the role of prokaryotes in health, disease and ecosystems |
Knowledgeable Empowered |
7 | Identify the structures of the human digestive system and describe their function |
Knowledgeable Empowered |
8 | Outline the fundamental ideas in evolution theory and key themes in biology | Knowledgeable |
9 | Define basic ecological concepts and outline energy flow and nutrient cycling in ecosystems |
Knowledgeable Empowered |
10 | Comprehend and effectively communicate scientific biological information. |
Knowledgeable Creative and critical thinker |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Students must be enrolled in TP000
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
The first two worksheets in your TPP109 Biology Course Workbook will be discussed in peer groups in your tutorial. This peer group work and the feedback from your tutor will provide you with the opportunity to reflect upon your learning and study skills. Support with your learning is available in the weekly consultation sessions as communicated on Canvas or with your tutor.
Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
All | 1a | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 10% | 45 minutes |
Week 4 | Online Test (Quiz) |
All | 1b | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 30% | 1 hour |
Week 9 | Online Test (Quiz) |
All | 2 | Written Piece | Individual | 20% | 500 +/- words |
Week 10 | Online Submission |
All | 3 | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 40% | 2 hours |
Week 13 | Online Test (Quiz) |
All - Assessment Task 1a:Characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, domains, kingdoms, water | |
Goal: | To recall and demonstrate your knowledge on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, domains, kingdoms and water. |
Product: | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled |
Format: | This online exam is composed of multiple choice, short answer and true or false questions. It has a duration of 45 minutes and weighting of 10%. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 1b:Macromolecules and cells | |
Goal: | To recall and demonstrate your knowledge of macromolecules and cell structure and organelles. |
Product: | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled |
Format: | This online exam is composed of multiple choice, short answer and true or false questions. It has a weighting of 30% and duration of 1 hour. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 2:Short response assessment | |
Goal: | To develop your skills in reading and comprehending scientific journal articles in addition to summarising and communicating the key information in response to provided questions. |
Product: | Written Piece |
Format: | Summarise the key information of two provided scientific journal articles in response to provided questions. |
Criteria: |
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All - Assessment Task 3:Cell membrane and membrane transport, evolution, classification, prokaryotes, human digestive system, ecological concepts and energy flow and nutrient cycling in ecosystems | |
Goal: | To recall and integrate your knowledge of the topics presented throughout the course. |
Product: | Examination - not Centrally Scheduled |
Format: | This online exam is composed of multiple choice, short answers and true or false questions. It has a weighting of 40% and duration of 2 hours. |
Criteria: |
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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.
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.
No specific requirements
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.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 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.
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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.
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.
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To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
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