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

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-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
ExaminationIndividual 35 - 40% 1,3,4 
Laboratory ReportIndividual 25 - 30% 1,2,3,4 
Online QuizzesIndividual 5 - 15% 1,2,3,4 
TestIndividual 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.