CQUniversity Unit Profile
BIOL12112 Animal and Plant Physiology
Animal and Plant Physiology
All details in this unit profile for BIOL12112 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

In Animal and Plant Physiology you will study the basic functioning of plants and animals. You will explore a number of major themes in biology including the integral relationship between structure and function, the maintenance of homeostasis and the principles of evolution and adaptation. You will examine major functions of living organisms such as locomotion, nutrition, respiration, circulation and reproduction. In the practical component you will gain hands-on experience of relevant laboratory and field procedures.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisitesBIOL11102 Life Science Laboratory and ENVR11014 Environmental Monitoring

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 1 - 2023

Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

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).

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. Online Quiz(zes)
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Practical Assessment
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

Feedback

Organisation of res schools and feedback of assessments

Recommendation

One of the Unit Coordinators was double booked and this impacted on the organisation of the residential school. In the future, more attention needs to be paid to timetabling Unit Coordinators so that they can attend the residential schools for units they coordinate.

Feedback from Student

Feedback

You guys are doing a great job, you inspire me more and more with each lecture. You are also great with students and you disserve an award for your efforts.

Recommendation

We plan to continue team teaching the unit as the students consistently find the "Nerdy Biology" feel of the unit engaging.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Describe the function of the major organ systems in plants and animals
  2. Discuss the relationship between the structure and function of living organisms
  3. Apply the concepts of homeostasis to various organ systems in plants and animals
  4. Discuss the evolution and adaptation of plant and animal function in relation to the environment
  5. Perform a range of practical procedures in the laboratory and the field relating to the physiology of plants and animals.
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 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Practical Assessment - 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 - Online Quiz(zes) - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Practical Assessment - 0%
4 - Online Quiz(zes) - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Campbell Biology: Australian and New Zealand Version

Edition: 12th edn (2021)
Authors: Reece, J
Pearson Australia
Sydney Sydney , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781488613715
Binding: Hardcover

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
Nathan Brooks-English Unit Coordinator
n.english@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

General Concepts in Functional Biology

Chapter

Study Guide Week 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Genetics and reproduction

Chapter

Study Guide Week 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Confirm your choice of mythical creature with Unit Coordinator by email. Due Friday, 11:59PM.

Week 3 Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

Development and dispersal

Chapter

Study Guide Week 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Theory Quiz A closes (Monday 8AM AEST)
Week 4 Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

No Lectures

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School/Block Practicals (Compulsory) in Rockhampton March 27 to 29, 2023 (Monday 8:00AM AEST – Wednesday 5:00PM AEST)



Online Practical Quizzes Due: Week 4 Friday (31 Mar 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 5 Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Energy and Metabolism

Chapter

Study Guide Week 5

Events and Submissions/Topic

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Lecture Recess

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Nutrition and digestion

Chapter

Study Guide Week 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Theory Quiz B closes (Monday 8AM AEST)

Week 7 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Nutrients, Water and Waste

Chapter

Study Guide Week 7

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Circulation and Gas Exchange

Chapter

Study Guide Week 8

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Theory Quiz C closes (Monday 8AM AEST)

Week 9 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

Defence and Protection

Chapter

Study Guide Week 9

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 10 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

Locomotion

Chapter

Study Guide Week 10

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Theory Quiz D closes (Monday 8AM AEST)
Written Assessment: Mythical Creature Due: Week 10 Monday (15 May 2023) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 11 Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

Signalling and Coordination

Chapter

Study Guide Week 11

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 12 Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Ecophysiology and Unit Review

Chapter

Study Guide Week 12

Events and Submissions/Topic

Online Theory Quiz E closes (Monday 8AM AEST)
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
Online Theory Quizzes

Task Description

Online Theory Quizzes are based on lecture and study material (so please revise the lecture and reading material associated with the weeks covered by the quiz).

For ALL students, the Online Theory Quizzes open the Friday after the weeks covered in the quiz (e.g. Theory Quiz A covers material in Weeks 1 and 2 and so opens on Friday in Week 2) and is open for 1 week + 1 weekend.

You have 30 minutes to complete each Online Theory Quiz; make sure to submit your answers within the 30 minutes.

You can attempt each quiz a second time, but there is a 60 minute enforced delay between attempts and your highest score of the attempt/s will be the score recorded. You must make the attempt while the quiz is open.

Questions are true/false, multiple choice, mix-and-match and other formats. Because the questions are drawn at random from a question bank, you will most likely receive different questions if you make a second attempt, and you will likely receive different questions from your peers. You may not share your quiz questions with other students as this may disadvantage other students and it will be considered academic misconduct.


Number of Quizzes

5


Frequency of Quizzes

Fortnightly


Assessment Due Date

Return Date to Students

Once per fortnight on completion of the quiz.


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Correctness of answers.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Information Technology Competence


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the function of the major organ systems in plants and animals
  • Perform a range of practical procedures in the laboratory and the field relating to the physiology of plants and animals.

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment: Mythical Creature

Task Description

You will be asked to select and describe the biology of a mythical creature. Your task is to write an essay of approximately 1000 to 1500 words about the creature, using all of the unit content from weeks one to ten. Specifically, we would like you to describe how the mythical creature could exist on Earth and perform the functions that it does, based on your knowledge of the biological content of this unit.

You are expected to consult the textbook and other resources such as journal articles, credible online web sources and books when preparing your assignment. You must cite at least 4 scientific journals that are related to the proposed physiology of the mythical creature you have chosen. 

Please describe your creature in an email to the unit coordinator by the end of Week 2. The coordinator will confirm your choice of creature by return email. You may not use a creature that is a hybrid of two or more real-life creatures (e.g. centaur, griffin) or a creature too similar to existing or extinct taxa (e.g. Yeti, dinosaur).


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (15 May 2023) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Monday (29 May 2023)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

A comprehensive assessment criteria sheet and marked exemplar are available on Moodle.

Students will be assessed on:

1. Information literacy (finding and using at least 4 citations/references appropriate to the subject matter and from scientific journals) 10%;

2. Problem solving (your ability to come up with creative and feasible ideas about how the mythical creature functions) 30%;

3. Critical thinking (your ability to correctly apply your knowledge of Animal and Plant Physiology in a new and unfamiliar context) 30%;

4. Communication (your ability to write using grammatically correct, clear and concise Australian English and to demonstrate your ability to adhere to discipline-specific academic conventions such as biological nomenclature and referencing of sources) 30%.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Students are required to submit their assessment through TurnItIn online as one MS Word document, including all figures, tables and references.

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Information Literacy


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Discuss the relationship between the structure and function of living organisms
  • Apply the concepts of homeostasis to various organ systems in plants and animals
  • Discuss the evolution and adaptation of plant and animal function in relation to the environment

3 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Online Practical Quizzes

Task Description

After completing Practicals 1-6 at the Residential School/Block Practical in Rockhampton, you will be required to undertake 6 ten-minute, multiple choice Online Practical Quizzes on Moodle.

You have 10 minutes to complete each Online Practical Quiz; make sure to submit your answers within the 10 minutes.

You can attempt each Online Practical Quiz a second time, but there is a 60 minute enforced delay between attempts and your highest score of the attempt/s will be the score recorded. You must make the attempt while the quiz is open.

Questions are true/false, multiple choice, mix-and-match and other formats. Because the questions are drawn at random from a question bank, you will most likely receive different questions if you make a second attempt, and you will likely receive different questions from your peers. You may not share your quiz questions with other students as this may disadvantage other students and it will be considered academic misconduct.

Students must attend the Residential School/Block Practicals before attempting the Online Practical Quizzes. To pass this assessment, you must obtain 50% of the marks or above for the combined six quizzes (for example, if there are 6 quizzes worth 10 pts each (60 pts total for the assessment), you must get a total of 30 points or above to pass the assessment).


Assessment Due Date

Week 4 Friday (31 Mar 2023) 11:59 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 4 Friday (31 Mar 2023)

Results will be available upon completion of each quiz


Weighting
Pass/Fail

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Correctness of the answers.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Graduate Attributes
  • Problem Solving
  • Team Work


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Perform a range of practical procedures in the laboratory and the field relating to the physiology of plants and animals.

4 Online Quiz(zes)

Assessment Title
End of Term Online Quiz

Task Description

You will only get one attempt to complete the End of Term Online Quiz (ie Exam) and have 90 minutes to complete it once you start the End of Term Online Quiz. You may complete the quiz anytime within the 24 hour window it is open (please begin 90 minutes before the closing time to give yourself the full time to complete the quiz). The quiz is worth 75 marks, and the marks are divided in the following manner:

  • 5 Sections and each section has one 1 mark question, one 4 mark question, and one 10 mark question (15 marks per section, 75 marks total).

The questions in each section are selected from a question bank and are balanced for difficulty and type. The marks are a relative guide to how long is required to answer each question (1 mark ~ 1 minute). For each question, type your answer in the box provided. It is an open book quiz, but your answers must be your own work, I will be checking answers against answers available in textbooks or on Google/Reddit/Duck Duck Go/etc. Spelling and grammar are not my primary concern in marking (you won't lose marks for misspelling or poor punctuation), but you will not get full marks if your ideas are hindered or obscured by poor spelling/grammar.

Some questions ask you to submit a hand-drawn sketch with your answer. Before beginning the quiz, you must have a digital camera/smart phone to take pictures with and a means to upload the images to moodle from that camera before the quiz attempt ends. Please confirm that you can transfer pictures from your camera or phone to your computer before you begin. If you need to, you may email photos of your drawings to me at n.english@cqu.edu.au. Please write your initials and the question # on the drawing and email them within the time you are taking the quiz.

Answers must be your own words/work and not copied from internet sources or created from AI generators. Answers will be checked at random against internet sources and AI text detection tools are available for faculty use. The questions are simple enough you're better off just answering them on your own anyway.

The quiz date and time will be announced in an email and on Moodle in Term 1. If you are unavailable to take the quiz on the day it is available, please use the Assessment Extension request tool on Moodle to request another time to complete the End of Term Online Quiz.


Number of Quizzes

1


Frequency of Quizzes

Other


Assessment Due Date

The End of Term Online Quiz date and time will be announced in an email and on Moodle in Term 1.


Return Date to Students

Weighting
50%

Minimum mark or grade
50%

Assessment Criteria

Correctness of answers.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking


Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Describe the function of the major organ systems in plants and animals
  • Discuss the relationship between the structure and function of living organisms
  • Apply the concepts of homeostasis to various organ systems in plants and animals
  • Discuss the evolution and adaptation of plant and animal function in relation to the environment

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?