The course will comprise an introduction to aspects of human biology with an emphasis on the interaction of organ systems such as nervous, circulatory, digestive and endocrine with some of the major concerns of our lives including topic such as growth, reproduction, and disease. The program assumes no previous qualifications in biology. Topics discussed may include: sex and reproduction, infection and immunity, use of energy and other bodily functions. This course is an excellent one for students interested in medical sciences and intending to pursue later courses in physiology, neuroscience and immunology.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Discuss human reproductive physiology;
2. Discuss the energy, regulatory and structural requirements for successful bodily functions;
3. Discuss the processes of infection and immunity;
4. Identify, evaluate and integrate information about human biology;
5. Appreciate an ethical perspective in understanding advances in human biology.

Research-Led Teaching

The Lecturers present material emphasising subjects that are of major interest in the lives of young adults and that include areas of current and recent research, and rapid advances. The activity classes are designed to expose students to scientific research processes, including some dilemmas that may arise when embarking on human research. Each class will highlight an aspect of the process that every scientist follows for professional research, as well as touching on elements of scientific rigour and integrity. The skills that students learn here will be helpful and applicable to other courses, and life after ANU, whether they are interested in a research career or not.  

Examination Material or equipment

Student card 

Pens and a HB or 2B pencil

Water bottle if you wish

Generally no other items permitted

 

https://exams.anu.edu.au/timetable/login.php

Required Resources

There is no prescribed textbook for the course. You are not expected to purchase a book for this course, but you are expected to access relevant texts and a variety of human physiology books are available that will cover each topic adequately. A list of useful readings will also usually be posted near the relevant lecture material for each topic. 

Recommended Resources

The recommended books (listed below) cover a much broader range of topics than those addressed in this course and they may not cover certain elements of each module in sufficient detail. For this reason, additional readings and supplementary material will also be posted in the folder associated with each module. Reading the relevant parts of at least one of the text books is highly recommended if you want to achieve a good grade, particularly for students who have not previously undertaken a biology course, as they provide suitable background reading on many topics. 

If you have no biology background the first text book in this list is the best one to get a hold of. It’s easy to read and only deals with Human Biology. Students who are intending to go on into Biological Psychology in 2nd year tell me it’s useful for that too. It is on reserve in the Hancock Library.

 

If you are studying Biology in other courses and you already have a Campbell Biology text book (listed 2nd here) or any other general 1st year Biology textbook then you won't need to buy another book, but you may want to read more widely. “Campbell Biology” is also on reserve in the Hancock Library.

•     Top Hat online education text: https://tophat.com/

- recommended text and available at the Hancock Library

•     Goodenough, J., McGuire, B. and Wallace, R. (any recent edition) Biology of Humans: concepts, applications and issues.Pearson/Benjamin Cummings: Sydney (any edition)

- recommended text and on 2 hour loan at the Library Reserve, Hancock

•     Reece, J., Myers, N. (all editions) Campbell biology. Pearson Australia: Frenchs Forest, N.S.W

•     Marieb, E., Hoehn K. (2010) Human anatomy & physiology: Benjamin Cummings: Sydney all editions 

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on assignments (it is intended that the marked assignments will be returned within 2 weeks of submission)
• Verbal comments to the whole class and groups during and after lectures and during practical and discussion classes 
• Questions answered about lecture content and classes from lecturers, via email, discussion boards and in person
• An opportunity to look at their examinations 
• Opportunity to discuss results with the course convener 

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Please note that there are multiple activity groups completing assessment tasks of the same type throughout the week and therefore a date range is used in the Assessment Summary. The first date is the approximate due date for the first group, the return date is the approximate return date for the final group. Further details can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lectures: Introduction to key concepts
2	Lectures: Nutrition Compulsory Activity Class: Ethics	Class exercise
3	Lectures: Nutrition Compulsory Activity Class: Glycaemic Index	Class exercise Assignment
4	Lectures: Reproduction
5	Lectures: Reproduction Compulsory Activity Class: Reproduction	Class exercise Assignment
6	Lectures: Reproduction
7	Lectures: Muscles and Movement	Mid Semester Exam
8	Lectures: Muscles and Movement Compulsory Activity Class: Movement	Assignment
9	Lectures: Muscles and Movement
10	Lectures: Infectious Diseases Compulsory Activity Class: Disease
11	Lectures: Infectious Diseases Compulsory Workshop: Disease
12	Lectures: Infectious Diseases Compulsory Activity Class: Disease Mini-Conference	Presentation

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Ethics	10 %	04/03/2019	15/03/2019	3
Glycaemic Index	10 %	18/03/2019	05/04/2019	1,2,4,5
Reproduction	10 %	01/04/2019	19/04/2019	1,2,4,5
Movement	10 %	06/05/2019	24/05/2019	1,2,4,5
Disease	10 %	27/05/2019	14/06/2019	1,2,4,5
Mid Semester Exam	25 %	01/04/2019	26/04/2019	1,2,3,4
End of Semester Exam	25 %	06/06/2019	04/07/2019	1,2,3,4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are expected to attend lectures and contribute to discussions. When this is not possible students are expected to listen to the audio recording(s) of all lectures.

The assessment for the course will be based on a mid semester examination (25%), an examination at the end of semester (25%) and on tasks set during semester (50%). 

Class attendance and submission of their associated in-semester assignments is compulsory to pass the course (practical and discussion classes). During semester assessment tasks comprise 50% of your total course grade. The form for each in-semester assessment task will vary for each topic and there is one attached to each of the scheduled activity classes. Work will not be eligible for assessment (i.e. not accepted) if the relevant class was not attended. i.e. students must attend all scheduled classes to be eligible for a grade for each of the in-semester assessment tasks. 

Students who miss an activity class or workshop without a valid reason (and permission from the course coordinator) will forfeit the marks allocated to that class and receive a "course not completed" (NCN) grade. If a student is too unwell to attend a class a medical certificate must be supplied to account for the absence. If a student misses a class for any other valid reason, they must contact Juliey Beckman with an explanation (and suitable documentation). Please don't hesitate to ask Juliey if in doubt (before your scheduled class).

Examination(s)

Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetableto confirm the date, time and location of both the mid-semester and end of semester exam.

The two exams (mid- and end of semester) are worth 25% each. The pass mark for the course (assignments and exams) is 50%, and students must obtain at least 40% in their overall exam marks to pass the course. Students who gain a mark over 50 overall but gain less than 40% in the exams (combined) will fail the course or be offered a supplementary exam (depending on their final score - see the rules for Supplementary exams under ANU Policies).  

Assessment Task 1

Ethics

You will be asked to complete an exercise in class to show that you are aware of ethical considerations and principles when undertaking research into human biology.

Please note that there are multiple activity groups completing assessment tasks of the same type throughout the week and therefore a date range is used in the Assessment Summary. The first date is the approximate due date for the first group, the return date is the approximate return date for the final group. Further details can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 2

Glycaemic Index

We will be focusing on research methodology and evaluating scientific methodology in an activity class where the class will be learning more about the GI index and how it relates to the biology of the digestive system. You will be asked to complete an exercise in class and also a take home assignment to demonstrate your understanding of the activities completed in class.

Please note that there are multiple activity groups completing assessment tasks of the same type throughout the week and therefore a date range is used in the Assessment Summary. The first date is the approximate due date for the first group, the return date is the approximate return date for the final group. Further details can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 3

Reproduction

We will be focusing on hypothesis evaluation in an activity class where the class will learn more about the inheritance of disorders and will investigate the distinctiveness of human sexual behaviour. You will be asked to complete exercises in class and also a take home assignment that builds upon the activities completed in class.

Please note that there are multiple activity groups completing assessment tasks of the same type throughout the week and therefore a date range is used in the Assessment Summary. The first date is the approximate due date for the first group, the return date is the approximate return date for the final group. Further details can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 4

Movement

We will be focusing on the analysis and interpretation of results in an activity class that investigates how the human body responds to internal (eg. movement) and external (eg. cold temperatures) stimuli. You will be asked to complete a take home assignment to demonstrate your ability to analyse, interpret and present your results in accordance with that expected in scientific reporting.

Please note that there are multiple activity groups completing assessment tasks of the same type throughout the week and therefore a date range is used in the Assessment Summary. The first date is the approximate due date for the first group, the return date is the approximate return date for the final group. Further details can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 5

Disease

We will be focusing on research and communication in three activity classes that investigate current topics in parasitology. You will be asked to choose from a selection of current parasitology topics (week 10), to research the topic in small groups and to create a conference presentation relating to your specific topic (weeks 10 and 11), and finally to present your research as a group in a mini-conference format (week 12).

Please note that there are multiple activity groups completing assessment tasks of the same type throughout the week and therefore a date range is used in the Assessment Summary. The first date is the approximate due date for the first group, the return date is the approximate return date for the final group. Further details can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 6

Mid Semester Exam

The date range is an general indication of when the mid-semester exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site and the ANU Examination Timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the end of semester exam.

Assessment Task 7

End of Semester Exam

The date range in the Assessment Summary indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ISIS. Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

It is intended that marked assessments will be returned within 2 weeks after submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students