BVB101 Foundations of Biology
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: | BVB101 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | BZB210 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $6,216 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | BVB101 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | BZB210 |
| Coordinator: | Marion Bateson | m.bateson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Biology is the study of living things. Cells are considered the basic structural unit of life, existing in diverse forms from simple single-celled microbes to complex multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. Using collaborative approaches in workshops and the laboratory you will investigate the diverse nature of cells and consider how they are built and powered and how they interact and reproduce and form whole organisms. You will use the concepts developed in this unit to discuss more complex questions such as “are viruses alive” and “can we synthesise life”. 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:
- Find and critically evaluate information to describe key concepts and processes related to cell biology.
- Apply basic laboratory skills safely.
- Conduct scientific investigations in cell and molecular biology and record data in accordance with expected disciplinary standards
- Critically analyse and discuss experimental results with reference to appropriate sources of information
- Formulate a coherent argument to address a key research question through a digital artefact.
- Apply theoretical and practical concepts to solve biological problems
Content
In this unit you will investigate the role of cells as the basic units of life by considering questions that relate to the following topics:
- Molecular biology of the cell: genomes to genes to protein, biological molecules, enzymes, photosynthesis & respiration
- Cell organisation: prokaryotes vs eukaryotes, cell structure and diversity
- Cells to organisms: cell replication, differentiation and development.
Learning Approaches
This first year 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 in this and future units.
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.
You can expect to spend between 10 - 15 hours per week on average involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning. To meet the learning outcomes, you will need to develop competency in the laboratory, 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 an exam.
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 undertake a final exam at the end of semester which will enable you to demonstrate your understanding of unit material and your ability to apply this to scenario-based problems. Formative quizzes will be provided during the semester to help support your ongoing learning and preparation for this task.
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. You will be provided with formative feedback early in semester on your progress and the journal will be marked in the middle and at the end of semester.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exam
In the final exam you will apply your learning from all unit material including online resources, pracs and workshops to a range of scenario-based questions and problems. This will include e.g. multiple-choice and short answer questions as well as longer individually constructed answers.
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
There are no mandatory texts for this unit. The following text is recommended to support your learning Other editions or general biology texts may also be suitable. Personal protective equipment as described below is mandatory for work in the biology laboratory.
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.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Scientific Journal, Website, Exam
Relates to: Scientific Journal, Website, Exam
Relates to: Exam
Relates to: Scientific Journal, Website, Exam
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Scientific Journal, Website, Exam
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, ULO2, ULO3, ULO6, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, ULO6, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - 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 Journal - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO5, Website
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, ULO2, ULO3, ULO6, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, ULO6, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - 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, ULO5, Scientific Journal - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: Website
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | BVB101 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | BZB210 |
| Coordinator: | Marion Bateson | m.bateson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Biology is the study of living things. Cells are considered the basic structural unit of life, existing in diverse forms from simple single-celled microbes to complex multicellular organisms such as plants and animals. Using collaborative approaches in workshops and the laboratory you will investigate the diverse nature of cells and consider how they are built and powered and how they interact and reproduce and form whole organisms. You will use the concepts developed in this unit to discuss more complex questions such as “are viruses alive” and “can we synthesise life”. 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:
- Find and critically evaluate information to describe key concepts and processes related to cell biology.
- Apply basic laboratory skills safely.
- Conduct scientific investigations in cell and molecular biology and record data in accordance with expected disciplinary standards
- Critically analyse and discuss experimental results with reference to appropriate sources of information
- Formulate a coherent argument to address a key research question through a digital artefact.
- Apply theoretical and practical concepts to solve biological problems
Content
In this unit you will investigate the role of cells as the basic units of life by considering questions that relate to the following topics:
- Molecular biology of the cell: genomes to genes to protein, biological molecules, enzymes, photosynthesis & respiration
- Cell organisation: prokaryotes vs eukaryotes, cell structure and diversity
- Cells to organisms: cell replication, differentiation and development.
Learning Approaches
This first year 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 in this and future units.
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.
You can expect to spend between 10 - 15 hours per week on average involved in preparing for and attending all scheduled classes, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning. To meet the learning outcomes, you will need to develop competency in the laboratory, 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 an exam.
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 undertake a final exam at the end of semester which will enable you to demonstrate your understanding of unit material and your ability to apply this to scenario-based problems. Formative quizzes will be provided during the semester to help support your ongoing learning and preparation for this task.
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. You will be provided with formative feedback early in semester on your progress and the journal will be marked in the middle and at the end of semester.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
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.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exam
In the final exam you will apply your learning from all unit material including online resources, pracs and workshops to a range of scenario-based questions and problems. This will include e.g. multiple-choice and short answer questions as well as longer individually constructed answers.
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
There are no mandatory texts for this unit. The following text is recommended to support your learning Other editions or general biology texts may also be suitable. Personal protective equipment as described below is mandatory for work in the biology laboratory.
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.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Scientific Journal, Website, Exam
Relates to: Scientific Journal, Website, Exam
Relates to: Exam
Relates to: Scientific Journal, Website, Exam
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Scientific Journal, Website, Exam
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, ULO2, ULO3, ULO6, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, ULO6, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - 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 Journal - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO5, Website
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, ULO2, ULO3, ULO6, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO5, ULO6, Scientific Journal, Website, Exam - 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, ULO5, Scientific Journal - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: Website