This course provides an introduction to the molecular and cellular aspects of modern biology. It introduces the molecules that play a key role in biology, including DNA, proteins, and carbohydrates, then goes on to describe their functions in the cell. Cell function studies will be supported by studies on cell structure. Cell specialisation will be introduced in terms of multicellular organisms and interacting cell networks. Topics to be covered include: the molecules of life; membranes and the uptake of nutrients; proteins, enzymes and metabolism; cellular structure and function; cell specialisation; the role of molecules and cells in the control of cell division and biotechnology applications. Examples will be drawn from both plants and animals.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Acquire knowledge and understanding of the biochemical processes that provide the foundation for all life; the structure and function of cells from different domains and the development of cells and the role of cell specialisation in multicellular organisms; the role of molecular regulation in cellular level responses and in cell fate determination; and the way biochemical, cellular and molecular level processes can explain the development and treatment options for cancer.
2. Demonstrate academic integrity by acknowledging collaborators, referencing scientific papers and using paraphrasing and summarising to report the research of others.
3. Use compound microscopes and safely handle biological samples using aseptic technique.
4. Accurately record raw experimental data and apply knowledge of experimental limitations to interpret unreliable data.
5. Present experimental data meaningfully in written reports and discuss the significance of results.
6. Broadly understand how biological knowledge is developed, and apply this framework to critically engage with new biological scenarios.

Examination Material or equipment

Pen, "B" or "HB" pencil, eraser.

Required Resources

LabArchives for LabBook and Lab Manual

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Campbell Biology 12th Australian Edition

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lectures
2	Lectures and Lab	Lab Book 1 (formative)
3	Lectures and Tutorial	Quiz 1 (1.5%), Assignment 1 (formative)
4	Lectures and Lab	Quiz 2 (1.5%), Lab Book 2 (2%)
5	Lectures and Tutorial	Quiz 3 (1.5%), Assignment 2 (10%)
6	Lectures and Lab	Lab Book 3 (2%), Mid-Semester Exam (20%)
7	Lectures and Lab	Quiz 4 (1.5%), Lab Book 4 (2%)
8	Lectures and Tutorial	Quiz 5 (1.5%), Assignment 3 (10%)
9	Lectures and Lab	Lab Book 5 (2%)
10	Lectures	Quiz 6 (1.5%), Assignment 4 (10%)
11	Lectures	Quiz 7 (1.5%)
12	Lectures	Quiz 8 (1.5%)
13		Final Exam (30%)

Tutorial Registration

You need to register for tutorials and labs via MyTT.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Practical Reports	30 %	2,4,5
Lab Book	8 %	3,4
Quizzes	12 %	1,4,6
Mid-Semester Exam	20 %	1,4,6
Final Exam	30 %	1.4.6

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

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.

Examination(s)

Examinations will be in-person, written exams. It is a hurdle requirement to achieve at least 40% on the combined grade of the two exams.

Assessment Task 1

Practical Reports

Submission:

Assignments are to be submitted within 1 week of the tutorial associated with the assignment. Late submissions are via the FSES/Biology Assessment Extension Request Portal, late penalties are applied according to ANU policy.

Student are expected to be able to show the following skills to achieve a maximal grade:

Structure

Can follow the structure of a peer-reviewed science paper, including:

• Introduction
• Materials and methods
• Results
• Discussion

Can present results as figures and text including correct use of:

• tables
• graphs
• captions
• units
• labels
• in-text descriptions

Information literacy:

• Can find relevant peer-reviewed sources
• Can paraphrase and summarise information from peer-reviewed sources
• Can compare and contrast own results to those from peer-reviewed sources
• Can follow a prescribed Harvard referencing style including:
• in-text referencing
• list of references

Assessment Task 2

Lab Book

An electronic lab look is kept at all labs, and is submitted electronically on the day. Late submissions are not accepted.

Entries are made directly into lab book before the end of the lab.

Entries in lab book are dated.

Entries in lab book are sufficient for experimental reproducibility.

Entries in lab book contain all data and observations for report write-up.

Assessment Task 3

Quizzes

Quizzes are due in weeks 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10,11,12. Late submission is not allowed.

Assessment Task 4

Mid-Semester Exam

The mid-semester exam is on the material covered in the lectures in the first two modules of the course covered in weeks 1-5, and is worth 20% of the final grade.

Assessment Task 5

Final Exam

The final exam is on the material covered in the lectures in the last three modules of the course in weeks 6-12, and is worth 30% of the final grade.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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 lab books and quizzes is NOT permitted.

• For submissions without an extension after the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Late submission of assignments IS permitted.

• Late submission of assignments without an extension is penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assignments is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Numerical and written feedback on assignments will be returned via Turnitin.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission is not permitted.

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 Access 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 all ANU students