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Unit of study_
BIOL1996: Life and Evolution (SSP)
2025 unit information
Biology is an immensely diverse science. Biologists study life at all levels, from the fundamental building blocks (genes and proteins) to whole ecosystems in which myriad species interact. Evolution is the unifying concept that runs through the life sciences, from the origin and diversification of life to understanding behaviour, to dealing with disease. Evolution through natural selection is the framework in biology in which specific details make sense. This unit explores how new species continue to arise while others go extinct and discusses the role of mutations as the raw material on which selection acts. It explains how information is transferred between generations through DNA, RNA and proteins, transformations which affect all aspects of biological form and function. Science builds and organises knowledge of life and evolution in the form of testable hypotheses. The practical work syllabus is different from those of BIOL1006 and BIOL1906 and consists of special project-based laboratory classes.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Science
| Study level | Undergraduate |
|---|---|
| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
|---|---|
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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BIOL1001 or BIOL1911 or BIOL1991 or BIOL1006 or BIOL1906 or BIOL1993 or BIOL1998 |
| Assumed knowledge:
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90 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. explain the process of evolution as the unifying theory in biology
- LO2. describe genes as the functional units of information and explain how genes transfer biological information from one generation to the next
- LO3. explain how biological information is expressed (from DNA to RNA and then to protein) and how this, in turn, affects biological form and function
- LO4. describe and explain Mendelian inheritance and apply this to solve genetics problems
- LO5. articulate an understanding of the temporal and spatial scale of the evolutionary process
- LO6. integrate ideas about the commonality of life systems and their complexity
- LO7. propose and test hypotheses to explain biological phenomena
- LO8. understand the concepts and language of modern biology
- LO9. find and analyse information for the purpose of enquiry and critical analysis
- LO10. communicate key concepts in biology both verbally and in written text
- LO11. take a team approach both to scientific investigation and the process of learning
- LO12. use laboratory equipment, computing, numeracy and data handling.
Unit availability
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Important enrolment information
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