Concepts of Biology
Overview
This unit aims to develop an understanding of the fundamentals of biology as well as the structure and function of living organisms, their life processes and diversity. The unit also aims to provide a strong basis for later applications and extensions of this knowledge in various fields, including biotechnology, human biology and the environment.
Requisites
01-June-2025
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Demonstrate comprehension of theoretical concepts of the fundamental processes of living organisms
- Conduct and/or observe a variety of laboratory exercises within a safe environment
- Apply problem solving skills to theoretical and practical tasks
- Demonstrate basic written scientific communication skills
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Lecture |
3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| On-campus Lab |
3.00 | 5 weeks | 15 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
8.25 | 12 weeks | 99 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Individual | 35 - 40% | 1,3,4 |
| Laboratory Report | Individual | 25 - 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Online Quizzes | Individual | 5 - 15% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Test | Individual | 15 - 25% | 1,3,4 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) At least 40% in the final exam, and(iii) Completion of a minimum of 80% of laboratory work based on the criteria for successful completion as explained in the lab handout(s)Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirements (ii) and (iii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
The curriculum is divided into four broad areas:
- The fundamental properties of living organisms and the basics of scientific analyses
- Cells as the fundamental units of life
- Genetic processes of encoding and regulating the cells activities and passing on hereditary information
- Biochemical processes of obtaining and utilising energy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.