SEB123 Life and the Environment: Survival of the Fittest
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | SEB123 |
|---|---|
| Antirequisite(s): | SEB116 |
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $596 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,682 |
| International unit fee | $2,976 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 - 6 Week B 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | SEB123 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Anti-requisite: | SEB116 |
| Coordinators: | Jennifer Firn | jennifer.firn@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces you to the study of living things, how the environment shapes their survival and in turn how living things can then shape their environments. You will engage with biological and environmental scientists in workshops and practical activities to investigate how and why organisms have adapted to survive and reproduce in different environments and the positive and negative impacts that this can have (with particular focus on Australia). By undertaking introductory experiments and activities in the field and laboratory you will develop your understanding of scientific methodologies. You will experience how traditional and modern approaches and technologies are complementary for answering important questions and for biologists and environmental scientists to make an impact.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain at an introductory level how living organisms adapt to their environment
- Conduct experiments in the field and laboratory to answer scientific questions applying appropriate cultural, regulatory, ethical and safe practices.
- Evaluate scientific data, information, arguments and concepts to represent and communicate them in a form.appropriate to biology and environmental science disciplines
Content
In this unit you will explore a range of genetic, ecological, and environmental concepts that influence the adaptation and survival of living organisms. You will develop your experimental practices and analytical skills and learn to apply core scientific principles to biological and environmental investigations in the field and laboratory. You will learn about important cultural, regulatory and ethical considerations (including indigenous perspectives) as well as safe practices for undertaking experiments in these different environments.
Learning Approaches
In this unit you will use an enquiry driven approach to learn by engaging in different activities including online resources that will provide theoretical and background information, interactive workshops in which you will work with peers from different disciplines and teachers to extend your learning, and practical activities in the field and laboratory where you will learn skills and apply scientific methods to answer questions and explore the interactions between biology and environmental science.
To be able to achieve the unit learning outcomes, you will need to work consistently to review online resources, prepare for and engage with face to face practical and field activities, work with peers in collaborative activities to gather and process data, and work progressively and independently on your assessment. You can expect to commit on average between 10 - 15 hours per week to the study of this unit including online preparation, attending scheduled labs, workshops, field trips, undertaking assessment and independent learning.
If you are experiencing difficulty learning the concepts associated with this unit, you are encouraged to speak to your tutor early to discuss your concerns. You are reminded that QUT offers FREE STEM for Science Student Workshops, peer support sessions and academic help consultations and workshops throughout the year, which are available to all students.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your learning will be provided in several ways; early in the teaching period you will receive formative feedback on your first workbook entry as general feedback to the whole class. The workbook will be marked after week 3 and 6. You will be provided with feedback on key areas that can be improved as well as a summary of key points to the class. Answers to individual questions or clarification will be provided with an ongoing Q&A tool where you can receive feedback from peers and teachers. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback in workshops and practical activities.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit you will learn through theory and practice how living organisms adapt to their environment and how the scientific method can be applied to investigate this. To assess your learning you will maintain a workbook to evaluate your knowledge and application of the scientific method in biology and environmental science and to demonstrate your understanding of cultural, regulatory, ethical and safe practices that underpin this. Maintaining an accurate record of your scientific enquiry, critical thinking about the scientific process and outcomes, and communication of these in an appropriate way, is a key capability for all 21st century scientists.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Scientific Workbook (interim)
You will work progressively through the semester to complete a workbook that will include a record of your experimentation in the field and laboratory including procedures and data you have collected, analysis of your data, interpretations of the results and how these relate to explaining how and why some living organisms adapt to or are shaped by their environments. The workbook activities undertaken early in the unit will be assessed to provide formative and summative feedback.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Scientific Workbook (final)
You will work progressively through the semester to complete a workbook that will include a record of your experimentation in the field and laboratory including procedures and data you have collected, analysis of your data, interpretations of the results and how these relate to explaining how and why some living organisms adapt to or are shaped by their environments. The activities not marked in the interim workbook will be assessed at the end of the unit to provide summative feedback.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
You will be required to have an appropriate lab coat or gown and safety glasses.
Resources
Library and web-based information.
Within this unit you will undertake field and/or laboratory-based work. The laboratory and field setting chosen for use in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. Where relevant, you will be provided with Laboratory and/or Field Health and Safety information. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments will be clearly explained in the unit materials. Having been provided with this information, it is your responsibility to read and comply with these instructions for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. 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 that will be indicated to you. You will be given a safety induction before the commencement of field trips or commencement of laboratory work. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO2, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO3, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final)
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO2, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO3, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final)
Unit Outline: Semester 2 - 6 Week D 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | SEB123 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Anti-requisite: | SEB116 |
| Coordinators: | Jessica Walsh | jessica.walsh1@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces you to the study of living things, how the environment shapes their survival and in turn how living things can then shape their environments. You will engage with biological and environmental scientists in workshops and practical activities to investigate how and why organisms have adapted to survive and reproduce in different environments and the positive and negative impacts that this can have (with particular focus on Australia). By undertaking introductory experiments and activities in the field and laboratory you will develop your understanding of scientific methodologies. You will experience how traditional and modern approaches and technologies are complementary for answering important questions and for biologists and environmental scientists to make an impact.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain at an introductory level how living organisms adapt to their environment
- Conduct experiments in the field and laboratory to answer scientific questions applying appropriate cultural, regulatory, ethical and safe practices.
- Evaluate scientific data, information, arguments and concepts to represent and communicate them in a form.appropriate to biology and environmental science disciplines
Content
In this unit you will explore a range of genetic, ecological, and environmental concepts that influence the adaptation and survival of living organisms. You will develop your experimental practices and analytical skills and learn to apply core scientific principles to biological and environmental investigations in the field and laboratory. You will learn about important cultural, regulatory and ethical considerations (including indigenous perspectives) as well as safe practices for undertaking experiments in these different environments.
Learning Approaches
In this unit you will use an enquiry driven approach to learn by engaging in different activities including online resources that will provide theoretical and background information, interactive workshops in which you will work with peers from different disciplines and teachers to extend your learning, and practical activities in the field and laboratory where you will learn skills and apply scientific methods to answer questions and explore the interactions between biology and environmental science.
To be able to achieve the unit learning outcomes, you will need to work consistently to review online resources, prepare for and engage with face to face practical and field activities, work with peers in collaborative activities to gather and process data, and work progressively and independently on your assessment. You can expect to commit on average between 10 - 15 hours per week to the study of this unit including online preparation, attending scheduled labs, workshops, field trips, undertaking assessment and independent learning.
If you are experiencing difficulty learning the concepts associated with this unit, you are encouraged to speak to your tutor early to discuss your concerns. You are reminded that QUT offers FREE STEM for Science Student Workshops, peer support sessions and academic help consultations and workshops throughout the year, which are available to all students.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your learning will be provided in several ways; early in the teaching period you will receive formative feedback on your first workbook entry as general feedback to the whole class. The workbook will be marked after week 3 and 6. You will be provided with feedback on key areas that can be improved as well as a summary of key points to the class. Answers to individual questions or clarification will be provided with an ongoing Q&A tool where you can receive feedback from peers and teachers. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback in workshops and practical activities.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit you will learn through theory and practice how living organisms adapt to their environment and how the scientific method can be applied to investigate this. To assess your learning you will maintain a workbook to evaluate your knowledge and application of the scientific method in biology and environmental science and to demonstrate your understanding of cultural, regulatory, ethical and safe practices that underpin this. Maintaining an accurate record of your scientific enquiry, critical thinking about the scientific process and outcomes, and communication of these in an appropriate way, is a key capability for all 21st century scientists.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Scientific Workbook (interim)
You will work progressively through the semester to complete a workbook that will include a record of your experimentation in the field and laboratory including procedures and data you have collected, analysis of your data, interpretations of the results and how these relate to explaining how and why some living organisms adapt to or are shaped by their environments. The workbook activities undertaken early in the unit will be assessed to provide formative and summative feedback.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Scientific Workbook (final)
You will work progressively through the semester to complete a workbook that will include a record of your experimentation in the field and laboratory including procedures and data you have collected, analysis of your data, interpretations of the results and how these relate to explaining how and why some living organisms adapt to or are shaped by their environments. The activities not marked in the interim workbook will be assessed at the end of the unit to provide summative feedback.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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
You will be required to have an appropriate lab coat or gown and safety glasses.
Resources
Library and web-based information.
Within this unit you will undertake field and/or laboratory-based work. The laboratory and field setting chosen for use in this unit are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course. Where relevant, you will be provided with Laboratory and/or Field Health and Safety information. Health and Safety information and precautions relevant to the particular experiments will be clearly explained in the unit materials. Having been provided with this information, it is your responsibility to read and comply with these instructions for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit. 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 that will be indicated to you. You will be given a safety induction before the commencement of field trips or commencement of laboratory work. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO2, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO3, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final)
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO2, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final) - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO3, Scientific Workbook (interim), Scientific Workbook (final)