CQUniversity Unit Profile
BIOL11102 Life Science Laboratory
Life Science Laboratory
All details in this unit profile for BIOL11102 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

Understanding the evolution, anatomy and identification of plants and animals is critical in tackling the scientific study or management of organisms, ecosystems and animal or plant production. In Life Science Laboratory, you will study evolution and phylogeny, and the anatomy of the most common vertebrate and invertebrate animals, plants, algae and fungi, to support the development of your practical skills, which include specimen collection, preparation and curation; microscopic and macroscopic identification; and animal and plant dissection. This unit includes field work where you will use the knowledge and skills developed to study organisms in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. On conclusion of this unit, you will understand the important role that biology plays in research and innovation in the fields of science, environmental science and agriculture.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Anti-requisite BIOL11099 Living Systems

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2021

Mixed Mode

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Laboratory/Practical
Weighting: Pass/Fail
4. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation

Feedback

Very little information received prior to residential school. This needs to be fleshed out a bit more.

Recommendation

More information should be provided to students regarding the scheduling and laboratory activities at least two weeks prior to the Residential Schools.

Feedback from Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation

Feedback

The lectures were well presented. The presentation maintained interest. All the lecture materials were accessible.

Recommendation

The unit should continue to use a diverse range of teaching and learning sources to support student learning and understanding.

Feedback from Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation

Feedback

The lecturer explains things well. The unit layout and instructions for assessment were easy to follow. I learnt a lot. The subject was enjoyable and well presented.

Recommendation

Continue to provide instructions and information around assessment to support student learning and achievement of the unit learning objectives.

Feedback from Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation

Feedback

The residential school was a great way to learn the practical side to the unit.

Recommendation

The residential school is seen as an integral part of the unit with the primary focus on contextualization of classroom theory/concepts and building practical skill-sets. The residential school should continue.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Distinguish between major taxa of plants and animals using morphological features
  2. Discuss evolution and the Hierarchy of Classification in relation to the diversity of living organisms
  3. Safely perform laboratory activities, including the use of microscopes and aseptic techniques, and the dissection of plants and animals
  4. Collect and curate plant specimens
  5. Use dichotomous keys to identify flowering plants and insects.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Laboratory/Practical - 0%
4 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical Assessment - 30%
3 - Laboratory/Practical - 0%
4 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Campbell Biology: Australian and New Zealand Version

11th Edition (2018)
Authors: Urry, LA, Meyers, N, Cain, ML, Wasserman, SA, Minorsky, PV, Reece, JB
Pearson Australia
Melbourne Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
ISBN: 9781488613715
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Simon Robson Unit Coordinator
s.robson@cqu.edu.au
Guy Carton Unit Coordinator
a.carton@cqu.edu.au
Nathan Brooks-English Unit Coordinator
n.english@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 12 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Understanding biological diversity

Evolution by natural selection

Hierarchy of classification

Chapter

Study Guide Module 1

Study Guide Module 2

Study Guide Module 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 19 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Taxonomy

Cell theory

Prokaryotes

Chapter

Study Guide Module 3

Study Guide Module 4

Study Guide Module 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 26 Jul 2021

Module/Topic

Endosymbiosis

Protists

Algae


Chapter

Study Guide Module 6

Study Guide Module 7

Study Guide Module 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 02 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Bryophytes

Monilophytes and Lycophytes

Gymnosperms

Chapter

Study Guide Module 8

Study Guide Module 9

Study Guide Module 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School Aug 2-6th for Mixed-mode and ROK Students. 

Complete the three Laboratory Skills tests for Practical 1, 3 and 6.

Week 5 Begin Date: 09 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Angiosperms (flowering plants)

Review of plant morphology


Chapter

Study Guide Module 11

Study Guide Module 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 16 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 23 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Fungi

Porifera

Cnidarians


Chapter

Study Guide Module 13

Study Guide Module 14

Study Guide Module 15

Events and Submissions/Topic

Media article on an organism recently discovered in Australia Due: Week 6 Friday (27 Aug 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 30 Aug 2021

Module/Topic

Platyhelminths

Annelids

Chapter

Study Guide Module 16

Study Guide Module 17

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 06 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Molluscs

Nematodes

Chapter

Study Guide Module 18

Study Guide Module 19

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 9 Begin Date: 13 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Arthropods

Focus on insects

Chapter

Study Guide Module 20

Study Guide Module 20

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

No lectures

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 27 Sep 2021

Module/Topic

Echinoderms

Chordates

Humans and other vertebrates

Chapter

Study Guide Module 21

Study Guide Module 22

Study Guide Module 22

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 04 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Review of animal morphology

Origin of life

Unit review

Chapter

Study Guide Module 23

Study Guide Module 24

Events and Submissions/Topic

Field Trip Online Quiz, Practical's 1-4 Online Quiz, Practical's 5-8 Online Quiz due.

Due: Week 12 Friday (8 Oct Jun 2021) 11:59 pm AEST


Practical Assessment Due: Week 12 Friday (8 Oct 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 18 Oct 2021

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

End of Unit Online Quiz, exact date to be determined.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Media article on an organism recently discovered in Australia

Task Description

This assessment requires you to research an organism that has been discovered in Australia (including surrounding waters) within the last ten years and write a 500 word article for a popular science magazine.

Your article should include a description of the scientific classification (kingdom, phylum etc) and the characteristics associated with organisms in that group (approximately 200 words). In the remaining words (approximately 300), you should describe what is interesting about the organism, what makes it different from other similar organisms, the significance of the discovery, or other relevant information that will attract and keep the audience's attention. At the end of the article, you must provide a list of the references you have used, but do not use any in-text referencing except to refer to the scientific paper that describes the species that has been discovered. As well as uploading your assignment as a Word document, you must upload a pdf of the original paper where the species is described. Exemplar articles will be available on the units Moodle page at the commencement of the term.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (27 Aug 2021) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Friday (10 Sept 2021)


Weighting
20%

Assessment Criteria

The complete assessment rubric will be available on the units Moodle site at the commencement of the term.

The assessment criteria primarily focuses on the following:

  1. Accuracy of the information about the newly discovered species and its classification.
  2. Relevance of the material.
  3. Accuracy of referencing.
  4. Correct English grammar and spelling.
  5. Clarity of expression and ability to engage an audience.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Upload your article as a Word document (.doc or .docx) and the original article where the species is described as an Adobe pdf.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Distinguish between major taxa of plants and animals using morphological features
  • Discuss evolution and the Hierarchy of Classification in relation to the diversity of living organisms


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Assessment

Task Description

You will complete three (3) short tests (10% each) based on the practical material covered during your practical laboratory/field sessions.

You must complete the relevant practical work before attempting the tests. A full schedule of practical work and associated tests will be available on the unit Moodle site for each enrolment mode and all practical tests will close at the end of Week 12.

These on-line tests will be based on the material covered in:

  1. Field trip (untimed; short answer).
  2. Laboratory Practicals 1 - 4 (30 minutes; multiple choice questions; one attempt only).
  3. Laboratory Practicals 5 - 8 (30 minutes; multiple choice questions; one attempt only).


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (8 Oct 2021) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Results will available a short time after online submission of the quiz.


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Answers to on-line tests will be assessed on the correctness, comprehensiveness and relevance of the answers.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Safely perform laboratory activities, including the use of microscopes and aseptic techniques, and the dissection of plants and animals
  • Collect and curate plant specimens
  • Use dichotomous keys to identify flowering plants and insects.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Technology Competence

3 Laboratory/Practical

Assessment Title
Laboratory skills tests

Task Description

Three tests will be conducted during practical laboratory classes. These tests will be based on a combination of practical skills and relevant theoretical knowledge in:

  1. Practical 1 (Bacteria and protists). Correctly set up a microscope, prepare a wet mount of a protist and draw the specimen on the microscope slide.
  2. Practical 3 (Flowering plants), Collect a plant specimen, complete an appropriate plant label and identify the specimen to Family.
  3. Practical 6 (Identifying insects). Identify an insect to Order and draw the specimen, labelling the morphological features used in the identification.

Students will be assessed as Pass/Fail during the practical session.


Assessment Due Date

Students will be assessed during the relevant practical laboratory session.


Return Date to Students

Students will be assessed as Pass/Fail during the practical session.


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Assessment Criteria

Ability to perform the laboratory exercises to the required standard.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline

Submission Instructions
You must submit and pass all three Laboratory Skills Tests to successfully complete the unit.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Safely perform laboratory activities, including the use of microscopes and aseptic techniques, and the dissection of plants and animals
  • Collect and curate plant specimens
  • Use dichotomous keys to identify flowering plants and insects.


Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work

4 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
End of Unit Online Quiz

Task Description

This end of unit quiz is based on lecture and study material covered during Weeks 1-12 (students are asked to revise the lecture and reading material associated with each week).

The end of unit online quiz is limited to 120 minutes for completion and must be submitted after completion. Answers will be automatically submitted after 120mins.

Quiz questions will be a combination ten (10) short and eight (8) long answer questions. Short answer questions will form 20% and long answer questions 80% of total available marks. 



Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

During the University examination period


Return Date to Students

Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

Answers will assessed on there completeness, relevance and correct application of biological knowledge.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Distinguish between major taxa of plants and animals using morphological features
  • Discuss evolution and the Hierarchy of Classification in relation to the diversity of living organisms


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?