Outline

Overview

Paradigm shifts in biology have changed the emphasis from single biomolecule studies to complex systems of biomolecules, cells and their interrelationships in ecosystems of life. Such an integrated understanding of cells, biomolecules and ecosystems is key to innovations in biology. Life relies on organisation, communication, responsiveness and regulation at every level. Understanding biological mechanisms, improving human health and addressing the impact of human activity are the great challenges of the 21st century. This unit will investigate life at levels ranging from cells, and biomolecule ecosystems, through to complex natural and human ecosystems. You will explore the importance of homeostasis in health and the triggers that lead to disease and death. You will learn the methods of cellular, biomolecular, microbial and ecological investigation that allow us to understand life and discover how expanding tools have improved our capacity to manage and intervene in ecosystems for our own health and organisms in the environment that surround and support us . This unit of study has the same overall structure as BIOL1007 but material is discussed in greater detail and at a more advanced level. The content and nature of these components may vary from year to year.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	BIOL1007 or BIOL1997
Assumed knowledge ?	85 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Claudia Winters, claudia.keitel@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Claudia Keitel, claudia.keitel@sydney.edu.au
	Osu Lilje, osu.lilje@sydney.edu.au
	Nicholas Coleman, nicholas.coleman@sydney.edu.au
	Murray Thomson, murray.thomson@sydney.edu.au
	Charles Warren, charles.warren@sydney.edu.au
	Samantha Hockey, samantha.hockey@sydney.edu.au
	Jacqueline Matthews, jacqueline.matthews@sydney.edu.au
	Christopher Dickman, chris.dickman@sydney.edu.au
	Timothy Lee, t.lee@sydney.edu.au
	Fran Van Den Berg, francesca.vandenberg@sydney.edu.au
	Glenda Wardle, glenda.wardle@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Open book)	Final exam Final exam with multiple choice and short-answer questions	35%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Pre-practical quizzes MCQ	8%	Multiple weeks	Approximately 10 min
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Post-module quizzes MCQ	9%	Multiple weeks	Approximately 20 min
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Scientific report Experimental report	24%	Multiple weeks	Approximately 4 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	LabArchives Online note-taking for practical classes	4%	Ongoing	Variable, more information on Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Proficiency assessment MCQ and SA, including calculations	10%	Week 10	Approximately 40 min
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Data-driven communication Written task	10%	Week 11	1 - 2 pages
Outcomes assessed:
= Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Pre-practical quizzes: These quizzes will test your understanding of what is going to be taught in the practical that week and should be completed prior to you attending your practical. All quizzes to be done on Canvas.
Post-module quizzes: These quizzes will test your understanding of the concepts you have been taught in each module.
Scientific report: A report based on the photosynthesis practical. Your scientific report should be uploaded to Turnitin via Canvas.
Proficiency Assessment: Perform a skills test relating to practical techniques.
Creative Data Interpretation: An article that has broad appeal outside the research community, to practice communication skills and help build influence as a scientist. This article will be supported by an image visualising data using code.
Final exam: The exam will cover all material in the unit from both lectures and practical classes. The exam will have a
mixture of multiple choice questions and short answer questions. More informatino and sample exam papers will be available later in semester.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	factual information of an outstanding standard with a sophisticated grasp of the principles and interpretation clear evidence of critical analysis, understanding of experimental design and statistical analysis, integration of knowledge and application to the experimental situation, evidence of originality of thought
Distinction	75 - 84	factual information of a superior standard with a sophisticated grasp of the principles and interpretation good evidence of critical analysis, understanding of experimental design and statistical analysis and integration of knowledge; good understanding of the application of knowledge; some evidence of application to the experimental situation
Credit	65 - 74	factual information of a high standard, but some information may be incorrect or missing, with sound grasp of the principles and interpretation critical analysis is mainly superficial and relevance of knowledge not always clear, understanding of experimental design and statistical analysis is sufficient and applied to the experimental situation
Pass	50 - 64	factual information is of an acceptable standard but basic and contains gaps, errors or inconsistencies/contradictions critical analysis is relatively poor, material may be correct but not entirely relevant; surface understanding of experimental design and statistical analysis with limited application to the experimental situation and limited interpretation
Fail	0 - 49	a significant amount of factual information is incorrect misses the point, fundamental misunderstandings evident evidence of plagiarism

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Intro, expectations and overview; 2. Chemistry of Life; 3. Biopolymers	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 01	Welcome to the practicals	Practical (3 hr)
Week 02	1. The central dogma of molecular biology; 2. Copying DNA and RNA; 3. Making proteins	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	DNA isolation	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	1. Enzymes and thermodynamics; 2. Lecturer Q&A Module 1; 3. Energy conversion - Photosynthesis I	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Exploring a diagnostic enzyme assay	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	1. Energy conversion - photosynthesis II; 2. Respiration in plants	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Photosynthesis, respiration and climate change	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	1. Lecturer Q&A Module 2 (plants and energy); 2. Metabolism; 3. Cells diversity	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Scientific writing and resources	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	1. Compartmentalisation of cells; 2. Cell, tissue and communication; 3: Lecturer Q&A Module 2 (cells and tissues)	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Understanding water movement	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	1. Microbiology and the 'One Health Concept'; 2. Microbes, food and nutrition	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Report writing skills	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	1. Planetary health: microbes and ecosystems; 2. Cell factories and biotechnology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Microbial diversity and ubiquity	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	1. Lecturer Q&A Module 3; 2. Individuals, behaviour and environment	Lecture (2 hr)
	Microbes in the environment and transmission and epidemiology I	Practical (3 hr)
	Visualise complex data in images using code	Computer laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	1. Groups and populations; 2. Do species matter?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Microbes in the environment and transmission and epidemiology II	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	1. Trophic ecology; 2. Assemblages and ecosystems; 3. The Human footprint	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Estimating population size and conservation	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	1. Conservation; 2. Lecturer Q&A Module 4	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	The effect of pollution on infaunal assemblages	Practical (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Study load:You are expected to dedicate at least 5 hours per week face to face on campus for 13 weeks of this unit and at least another 5-6 hours off campus.
Attendance: Unless otherwise indicated, students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled practicals for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate an understanding of biology: (i) value the diverse range of biological sub-disciplines and the complexity, variability and unpredictability of living systems (ii) appreciate the importance of sustainability and the impact of biology within the broader economic, social and environmental context
LO2. demonstrate depth and breadth of biological knowledge: (i) describe and explain broad biological concepts with relevant examples (ii) explain the biological organisation from molecules to cells and to ecosystems which integrate to form a dynamic network (iii) describe how structure and function are interrelated from the level of molecules to organisms
LO3. demonstrate inquiry and problem-solving abilities: (i) propose and test hypotheses to explain biological phenomena (ii) identify and use appropriate technical and analytical skills to collect data (iii) analyse quantitative data to critically evaluate evidence for biological explanations
LO4. demonstrate appropriate and effective communication: (i) produce written, visual, and oral explanations to communicate to a scientific audience and to the general public (ii) contribute to both independent and group tasks
LO5. demonstrate development in personal and professional responsibility: (i) evaluate and debate arguments on biological phenomena in a respectful and ethical manner (ii) reflect on your development as a student and the responsibility you have to find and apply information and work ethically, responsibly and safely

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

As is normal process of improving units of study, the assessment profile of the unit has been adjusted to take into consideration feedback from the previous year.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BIOL1907: From Molecules to Ecosystems (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect