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.

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.