The course comprises an introduction to many aspects of human biology with an emphasis on fundamental functions, interactions and the integration of major human physiological systems. Topics discussed may vary according to expert availability, and typically include the maintenance of homeostasis and responses to internal and external stimuli by major systems and organs such as digestive, nervous, hormonal, reproductive, immune and other bodily functions. Students will learn about human physiology, causes for disruption to bodily functions and how the body responds to restore health and maintain growth. While delivering the most up to date current knowledge, we will also consider human health from a genetic inheritance perspective. This course is an excellent introduction to human biology for students interested in medical sciences and/or intending to pursue later courses in physiology, anatomy, neuroscience and immunology. The course assumes no previous qualifications in biology.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Recognise and describe the functions and internal processes of major organ systems in the human body;
2. Discuss the energy, regulatory and structural requirements for successful bodily functions;
3. Identify, evaluate and integrate information about how the human body responds to external and internal stimuli;
4. Appreciate an ethical perspective in understanding advances in human biology;
5. Understand how experiments can lead to new knowledge in human biology.

Research-Led Teaching

The Lecturers present material emphasising subjects that are of major interest in the lives of young adults including the fundamentals, areas of current and recent research, and rapid advances. The activity classes are designed to not only consolidate topic learning, but also 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 rigor and integrity. The skills that students learn here will be helpful and applicable to other courses, and life after ANU, whether students are interested in a research career or not.  

Examination Material or equipment

Generally no 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, many of which are available in the library.

Recommended Resources

Recommend reading:

The recommended books (listed below) cover a much broader range of topics than those addressed in this course and give background reading on many topics. 

Pearson's Mastering Biology and accompanying etext book will be made available to access for additional and optional formative learning for students in 2026, but this is not a requirement for Biol1008 course completion.

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. However, it is very expensive, so please consider your option of just periodically accessing the copies on reserve in the Hancock Library.

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

Other resources:

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos 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/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). 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: Body and Cell communication with and in response to the external and internal environment.
2	Lectures: Introduction to Reproduction and the governing hormones in humans.
3	Lectures: Human reproductive maturity, Male Reproduction, Female Reproduction. Activity Class: Ethics in Biological research and Reproduction: Tues - Thurs 2-5pm (see ANU MyTimetable for location)	During class and homework assessment (1 week to complete)
4	Lectures: Female Reproduction, Fertility, Contraception.
5	Lectures: Human Nutrition.Activity Class: Nutrition: Tues - Thurs 2-5pm (see ANU MyTimetable for location)	Class informed homework assessment (2 weeks to complete)
6	Lectures: Human Nutrition.
7	Lectures: Muscles and MovementActivity Class: Movement physiology: Tues - Thurs 2-5pm (see ANU MyTimetable for location)	Class informed homework assessment (2 weeks to complete)
8	Lectures: Muscles and Movement.Statistics Tutorials: Tues - Thurs 2-3pm (attendance is optional). Rooms 112 & 113, Gould Building 116.	Optional Computer tutorial
9	Lectures: Muscles and Movement.Activity Class: Introduction to Mini Conference: Tues - Thur. 2-5pm @ (see ANU MyTimetable and Canvas for location);	Class informed homework assessment (due during class in week 11)
10	Lectures: Infection, Immunity, Parasites	Information Literacy quiz
11	Lectures: Infection, Immunity, Parasites and Human genetic disordersActivity Class: Mini Conference: Tues - Thurs 2-5pm (see ANU MyTimetable and Canvas for location);	In class presentation assessment
12	Lectures: Human genetic disorders and diseases

Tutorial Registration

O-week to end of week 1 using timetabling

- you will attend your Biol1008 afternoon activity classes on that day for ALL of semester. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.  

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Ethics and Reproduction (10%)	10 %	*	*	1,2,4,5
Nutrition (10%)	10 %	*	*	1,2,4,5
Movement (10%)	10 %	*	*	1,2,4,5
Parasites Conference (15%)	15 %	*	*	1,2,4,5
Information Literacy quiz (5%)	5 %	*	*	1,2,3,4
End of Semester Exam (50%)	50 %	04/06/2026	02/07/2026	1,2,3

* 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 ‘Canvas’ 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.

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 an examination at the end of semester (50%) and on tasks set during semester (50%). 

Attendance at your allocated afternoon class (most weeks) is required to be eligible to submit the associated homework for that class (practical and discussion classes), unless otherwise indicated (e.g. the statistical workshop is not compulsory) . 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. The expectation is that 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 may 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 the course conveners at the email address: BIOL1008@anu.edu.au with an explanation (and suitable documentation). Please don't hesitate to send an enquiry to this address if in doubt (before your scheduled class).

Examination(s)

Students should consult the ANU examinations timetable site for the final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

The pass mark for the course (assignments and exams) is 50%. Students who earn a mark over 50 overall but obtain less than 40% in the final exam 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 and Reproduction (10%)

You will be asked to complete an exercise to show that you are aware of ethical considerations and principles when undertaking your study, research into human biology and your Uni education. We will also focus on our lecture topic of reproduction to begin some hypothesis evaluation in an activity where the class will learn more about the inheritance of disorders, and investigating the distinctiveness of human sexual behaviour in an evolutionary context. You will be asked to complete some short exercises in the class setting and given a relevant take home assignment that builds upon the activities completed in class with a due date of 1 week from date of the class.

Assessment Task 2

Nutrition (10%)

We will be focusing on research methodology and evaluating scientific methodology in an activity class where the class will be learning more about human nutrition. You will be asked to contribute and analyse the results testing responses to blood glucose regulation. There will be a take home assignment to demonstrate your understanding of the activities completed in class to be submitted within 2 weeks from the class date.

Assessment Task 3

Movement (10%)

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. environmental temperature) 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 to be submitted within 2 weeks from the class date. There will also be an optional statistics workshop offered in the week after this class to help you with your analyses.

Assessment Task 4

Parasites Conference (15%)

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 to research the topic in small groups and to create a conference presentation relating to your specific topic, and finally to present your research as a group in a mini-conference format.

See Canvas site for dates.

Assessment Task 5

Information Literacy quiz (5%)

This will take the form of a Canvas quiz worth 5% of your overall mark to test your understanding of the information literacy that you have learned throughout semester. It will be opened during week 11 to 12 of semester. You will only have the opportunity for 1 attempt during the time it is open and it is scheduled to open on 18th May 2026 and close on Friday 29th May 2026, 11:59pm. Due to this 2 week opportunity to complete it, requests for late submissions will not be accepted.

Assessment Task 6

End of Semester Exam (50%)

The end of semester exam will include both MCQ and short/brief answer questions. The MCQs will be worth 1 mark each for the correct answer with no mark deduction for an incorrect answer. The grade value for each short answer question or part thereof (as applicable) will be included for each so students can gauge relative to other Qs how much time or detail is expected for each answer.

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 ANUHub.

Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location exam. Passing the exam at 40% or above is a hurdle for this course.

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 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 graded assessment items are returned to students.

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

It is intended that marked assessments will be returned within 2 weeks after submission, however this is contingent on student numbers and staff availability.

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.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students