Welcome to the fields of botany and zoology. This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the biodiversity of plants, animals and fungi. Students are given a solid grounding in the vast diversity of multicellular organisms and their evolutionary lineages. BIOL1009 is an essential prerequisite for students wishing to pursue plant and/or animal sciences. It is also an excellent, engaging, "free standing" course for those studying in other areas of science, or in non-science degrees. The lecture component focuses on the fundamentals of plant and animal structure, the evolution of complexity and systematics. It also addresses current research issues such as responses of plant species and populations to climate change. Each practical class is designed to provide our students with an opportunity for hands-on learning about key features of structure and function in a range of animal and plant taxa.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Gain skills necessary to recognise taxonomically distinct lineages of living organisms.
- Make observations of the internal and external morphology and physiology of both real organisms and models to interpret structure and function, current habitat and evolutionary history.
- Be able to describe the evolutionary history of various living animals and plants.
- Perform basic laboratory skills including light microscopy and identification of both plant and animal anatomy using real specimens
Indicative Assessment
- Mid-semester theory test - hurdle requirement to achieve at least 40% on the combined grade of this test and the final exam (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Final exam - hurdle requirement to achieve at least 40% on the combined grade of this exam plus the mid-semester test (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Practical assessments (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Written assignments (10) [LO 1,3]
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.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face components which will consist of approximately 35 x 1 hour lectures per semester (35 hours total) and approximately 20 hours of tutorials/workshops/labs throughout the semester.
- Approximately 75 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions during teaching contact hours.
Inherent Requirements
In this course, to meet Learning Outcomes 2 and 4, students are required to
- manipulate experimental equipment and samples with a high degree of precision
- interpret their observations
- safely participate in the biology laboratories
Students who can provide evidence they are unable to meet these requirements may be able to negotiate alternative participation and assessment requirements with the course convenor.
Prescribed Texts
Please note that there is no prescribed text for this course, but it is advised that students access relevant reading material in a first year level text book as they progress through the course. For those who are doing more than one first year course in Biology you will find Campbell’s Biology, Reece et al., latest Edition (Australian Version) useful.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $4440 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6360 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7755 | 22 Jul 2024 | 29 Jul 2024 | 31 Aug 2024 | 25 Oct 2024 | In Person | N/A |
