BZB210 Biological Sciences

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Cells are the basic structural unit of life. They exist in diverse forms from simple single-celled microbes to complex multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. In this unit you will investigate the diverse nature of cells and consider how they are built and powered and how they interact and reproduce. You will extend these foundation concepts to examine more complex problems involving molecular biology, plant and animal biology, and ecology. This unit has a strong focus on development of practical skills and engagement in these activities is required to be able to undertake assessment that supports these learning outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Find and critically evaluate information to describe key concepts and processes related to cell biology.
2. Conduct scientific investigations in cell and molecular biology and critically analyse experimental results with reference to appropriate sources of information.
3. Apply theoretical and practical concepts to solve biological problems.
4. Formulate a coherent argument to address a key research question through a digital artefact.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will use an inquiry-based learning approach where you will engage in collaborative activities with peers and teaching staff to discover the world of cells and to develop an appreciation of their role in biology. This will be achieved using blended and technology-enhanced approaches to learning. You will have a range of different opportunities to learn and develop skills in different digital/electronic technologies to support your learning.

Throughout the semester we will pose a series of key overarching questions that you and your peers will explore. You will be introduced to general concepts through weekly pre-recorded lecture and video resources which will be supported by directed readings and other online resources. You will work collaboratively with your peers in workshops to consolidate and extend these basic concepts and will also have opportunities to apply your knowledge and skills to analysing problem-based examples. Some of these concepts will be further investigated and tested in the laboratory, where you will investigate the nature of cells and develop basic practical skills in cell and molecular biology and microbiology. You will undertake these studies in a modern biology laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment where you will use a predominantly digital approach to data recording. Through discussion with your teachers and peers, you will critically analyse the outcomes of these investigations and will record your analysis progressively as entries in your Scientific Journal.

Each week you will engage in activities including preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning. These activities will be scheduled to take into consideration your required first year professional experience activities. To meet the learning outcomes, you will need to collect data and analyse your own results and therefore it is essential that you participate in the practical classes.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive feedback at regular intervals during the semester during collaborative activities through informal discussion with teaching staff and peers in workshops and labs and in response to assessment. You will receive written feedback in the form of rubrics, comments in journals and via Canvas.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit will be divided into three tasks:  a scientific journal, a website and a quiz. The timing of assessment takes into consideration your absence for 3 weeks on Professional Experience. 

You will maintain an electronic scientific journal (workbook) which will include a chronological, progressive log of work undertaken in this unit during the semester. You will include, for example, experimental results and critical analysis, details of individual and group inquiry both outside of and within the workshops; responses to problems/exercises. The journal will be assessed at different times during the semester. Participation in practical activities and data collection is required to be able to undertake this assessment. 

You will create a web-site that addresses a key question or concept arising from your investigation into cells and the building blocks of life. Your will demonstrate your understanding of the underlying scientific principles and your ability to retrieve, evaluate and synthesise relevant information to make a coherent argument.  You will also present a short oral overview of your website to your peers. This task will be scheduled in the exam period (taking into consideration your exam timetable). 

A quiz will be delivered at the end of semester via Canvas. This will enable you to demonstrate your understanding of unit material and your ability to apply this to scenario-based problems. Feedback will be given via Canvas. 

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Scientific Journal

You will maintain a detailed, progressive, written (electronic) record of your inquiry and experimentation in the laboratory and workshops during the semester. This will include completion of problems related to the workshop activities, recording of your experimental data, subsequent analysis and critical discussion of your results and answers to follow up questions.  The journal will be marked early in semester to provide formative and summative feedback on your progress and again in the middle and end of semester. 

Assessment: Website

You will identify a biological question that reflects a current problem or research question. You will create a digital artefact in the form of a website to present a coherent scientific argument. You will also present a short (oral) overview of the information on your website.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Quiz

You will complete an assessment task via Canvas at the end of semester in which you will apply your learning from online resources, practical and workshops to a range of scenario-based questions. 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Prior to participation in laboratory classes, you will be required to have completed an online laboratory safety module. Details will be provided in Canvas.

Costs

There are no out of the ordinary costs associated with this unit.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Campbell Biology (2022) Urry et al. 12th edition. Australian and New Zealand version, Pearson Australia Publishers.  This is available from the QUT bookshop as an electronic or hardcopy text.

The 11th edition is also suitable.

Safety and protective equipment

To participate in practical classes, you will require personal protective equipment, including laboratory coat or gown, laboratory safety glasses and enclosed footwear.

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. You will be trained in the handling of equipment and materials normally associated with this discipline. You will be required to complete an online health and safety quiz prior to entry to the laboratory. Further details will be made available through Canvas. If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the Academic in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions. You will be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few lectures. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.