Unit Outline

This unit provides you with a solid foundation in biology, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue careers in various biology-related fields or to continue with academic studies in further biology-focused subjects. The unit fosters critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and extends your understanding using hands-on activities. You will also gain an awareness of the ethical and environmental aspects of biology, preparing you to address real-world challenges and contribute to the advancement of science and society.

In conjunction with the discipline theory, this unit introduces learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment, so you have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs. You will be introduced to:

· a range of methods, tools, techniques and approaches to practice - principles and perspectives such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership in real world scenarios

· reflection and deliberative thinking as a means of developing knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations

· ways of understanding problems and developing solutions through active inquiry.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:

1.	Identify and explain fundamental biology concepts
2.	Apply biology knowledge and scientific concepts to address biological questions
3.	Interpret and communicate biological data to draw conclusions based on observations and results
4.	Critically reflect on your technical practice, discipline knowledge, and transferable skills to generate plans for self-development

Requisites

REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	ZAS107

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To be determined

Teaching arrangements

ATTENDANCE MODE	TEACHING TYPE	LEARNING ACTIVITY	CONTACT HOURS	FREQUENCY
On Campus	Independent Learning	Modules (online), reading, assessment work and laboratory experiments	8	Weekly
	Tutorial	Online tutorials	2	1 time per fortnight
	Science Laboratory	Contingent on numbers	12	Once only
Online	Independent Learning	Modules (online), reading, assessment work and laboratory experiments	8	Weekly
	Tutorial (Online)	Tutorials	2	1 time per fortnight
	Online Class	Support/drop-in sessions (optional)	1	1 time per fortnight

Attendance / engagement expectations

If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule

ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Applied Biology Online Quizzes	See the MyLO site for the due date	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Collaborative Infographic and Reflection	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Biological Study	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Applied Biology Online Quizzes

Task Description:

During the unit, you will undertake two multiple choice quizzes, each worth 10% (total 20%), to assess your progress in the unit in Weeks 3 and 10.

See Quiz instructions in MyLO for detailed instructions.

Task Length:

Variable, as required

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Identify biological concepts	LO1
2	Apply biology concepts and scientific principles	LO2
3	Interpret and communicate simple biological problems	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Collaborative Infographic and Reflection

Task Description:

You will form groups of 3-4 people and select a unique biological question or problem to research or solve. Then you will collaborate to build an infographic to communicate the problem and how it relates to applied biology themes. Themes could cover any of the topics included in this unit. In teams, you will adopt a multidisciplinary approach to address the problem, via three stages:

1. Research and conceptualisation (Group & individual)
2. Infographic construction and presentation (Group)
3. Synopsis and Reflection (individual)

Each student will submit the following components (combined weightings total 100%):
Infographic (PDF) – group (15%)
Synopsis (750 words or 5-minute video) – individual (50%)
Reflection (750 words or 5-minute video) – individual (35%)

See Assessment Task sheet and rubric on MyLO for detailed instructions.

Task Length:

1. A4 page/infographic 2. Written synopsis 3. A recorded or written reflection

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Identify and explain biological concepts – (a) group infographic & (b) individual synopsis)	LO1
2	Apply biological knowledge and scientific concepts to address assigned question(s) - (a) group infographic & (b) individual synopsis)	LO2
3	Presentation of biological information using infographic format (group)	LO2
4	Reflect on the process of building the infographic and your application of knowledge and skills to create plans for self-development	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Biological Study

Task Description:

For this assessment task, you will select from a series of at-home biology experiments or design your own experiment to test effects of biological phenomena between at least two experimental groups. You will keep a video diary/journal to document the experimental process.
You will design, conduct, and report on your experiment and use references from credible sources in the report. You are to submit:
a) a scientific report (1500 words); and
b) a written or recorded reflection (750 words or 5-minutes) documenting the experience and the impacts of the experiment activity on your learning and development.

See Assessment Task sheet and rubric in MyLO for detailed instructions.

Task Length:

1500 word report + 750 word or 5mins video/audio reflection

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)

1	Describe study objective(s) in an applied biology context	LO1
2	Develop and utilise experimental methods to collect data	LO2
3	Interpret laboratory observations/test results	LO3
4	Communicate significance and implications of findings	LO3
5	Reflect on the experimental activity and the impact on your professional and personal development	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.