Required texts

There is no required text for this unit. Students may want to refer to Campbell Biology by Urry et al. (2021), or the custom text designed for Biological Concepts from a selection of chapters from Campbell. There are copies of each of these texts in the UC Library.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

All assessment items are to be submitted electronically via the unit Canvas site Dropbox.

Special assessment requirements

The final grade is the summative total of all assessment items. The full total final mark is 100. A total mark of at least 50% must be achieved in order to pass the unit.

Content from lectures, workshops and practical sessions is included in all of the assessments items. Therefore, in order to meet the learning outcomes of the unit, attendance of all on-campus classes (lectures, workshops and practical sessions) is required. It is also important to attend the practical sessions in order to gain experience in practical skills fundamental to the study of Biology.

The use of generative AI is not permitted for any assessment item in this unit.

The unit convener also reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes. This may result in an adjustment to marks awarded for a specific task.

New Assessment Policy states that assessment submissions more than three days late will not be marked and will be awarded a zero mark, except under extenuating circumstances with supporting documentation provided. The unit convener reserves the right to determine whether such circumstances warrant an extension beyond the three days after the due date.

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 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 麻豆村 of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

In this unit, there are 40 contact hours (11 hours of lectures,18 hours of practical sessions and 11 hours of workshops). It is expected that the remaining 110 hours is devoted to private and group study, to prepare assessments and develop a good depth of understanding of the content delivered in this unit. 

Inclusion and engagement

Please reach out to the unit convenor, either in person or via email, if you are struggling in the unit. We do want to assist you in any way that we can to enable you to complete the unit to the best of your ability.

Participation requirements

Your participation in both class and online activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation may result in your inability to achieve the learning outcomes and satisfactorily pass assessment items. Content from lectures, workshops and practical sessions is included in all of the assessments items. Therefore, in order to meet the learning outcomes of the unit, attendance at all on-campus classes (lectures, workshops and practical sessions) is required. It is also important to attend the practical sessions in order to gain experience in practical skills fundamental to the study of Biology.

If you are unable to attend your allocated workshop or practical session, please contact the unit convener. 

Required IT skills

It is assumed that students have skills in Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

In-unit costs

Students are required to purchase a laboratory coat. It may be a COVID requirement that students also wear P2 masks in tutorials, and P2 masks and safety glasses in laboratory sessions. If this is required, students are expected to provide their own safety glasses and P2 masks.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

The practical classes in this unit are held in a biological laboratory. Safety standards are strictly adhered to in this environment, and all students are expected to read the safety instructions provided to them via the Canvas unit site prior to entry into the laboratory for the first time.

• Semester 2, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (219527)
• Semester 2, 2023, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (214958)
• Semester 2, 2022, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (209105)