Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Cells are the basic structural units of life and an understanding of their structure and function underpins research in many areas of the biological sciences. This introductory unit provides you with foundation skills and disciplinary knowledge in cell biology, information retrieval and evaluation required for problem solving in biology. These concepts and skills will be extended in subsequent units in Cell and Molecular Biology, Plant Biology and Animal Biology toward a final semester Capstone unit.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to help you to discover how cells fulfil their role as the basic units of life and how an understanding of cell processes is being used to answer key questions in biology.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
1. Retrieve and evaluate information to answer key questions relating to cell biology and the processes and molecules that are required for normal cell function
2. work collaboratively with peers to undertake and critically analyse experimental tasks in cell biology
3. demonstrate a basic level of competency in laboratory skills and effective analysis and communication of experimental results
4. present a coherent scientific argument to peers to address a key question or solve a problem in cell biology

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:
- Building blocks of life
- what molecules are required for life
- how they are arranged to form cells
- Cell organisation
- cell structures
- prokaryotes vs eukaryotes
- plants vs animals
- Cellular processes
- Krebs and Calvin cycle
- cell replication
- Molecular biology of the cell
- DNA
- RNA
- Protein
- Cell differentiation
- different types of cell
- developmental biology

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit will use an inquiry-based learning approach where you will engage in collaborative activity with peers, tutors and lecturers to discover the world of cells and to develop an appreciation of their role in biology. Throughout the semester we will pose a series of key overarching questions that you and your peers will explore. By working together in collaborative lecture/tutorial spaces and independently, you will retrieve and evaluate information that you can use to formulate your responses. You 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 also develop basic practical skills in cell and microbiology. Through discussion with your tutors and peers, you will critically analyse the outcomes of these investigations.

Assessment

Assessment in this unit will be divided into two tasks ¿ a workbook and a poster presentation.

The workbook will essentially be a scientific journal that will include a detailed log of work undertaken in this unit during the semester. You will include, for example, details of individual and group inquiry both outside of and within the laboratory; responses to problems/exercises; experimental results and critical analysis. Assessment of the workbook will include both peer review (students and tutors) at different times during the semester and overall review by academic staff. This will be both formative and summative.

You will create a digital poster 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 present this poster to your peer group and answer any questions that they may have. This will be summative.You will receive feedback at regular intervals during the semester during collaborative activities through informal discussion with tutors and peers and through written feedback on your workbook by tutors and peers. This will be in the form of criteria sheets, comments in books and via blackboard.

Assessment name: Scientific Journal
Description: You will maintain a detailed written record of your inquiry and experimentation during the semester.
Relates to objectives: 2 and 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group with Individual Component
Due date: Through the semester

Assessment name: Poster Presentation
Description: You will consider a question or concept that arises from your studies and create a digital poster to present a coherent scientific argument or discussion. This will be prepared individually and presented to your peer group and tutors for discussion.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 4
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Late semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

To be advised.

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 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.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 20-Sep-2012