Faculty of Science

Plant Biology

Unit Outline

Frontiers in Biology
BIOL1130
SEM-1, 2016
Campus: Crawley
Unit Coordinator: Dr Susan Barker
Dr jan hemmi
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Copyright Agency Limited (CAL), granted to the University of Western Australia pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968
(Cth).
Copying of this material by students, except for fair dealing purposes under the Copyright Act, is prohibited. For the purposes
of this fair dealing exception, students should be aware that the rule allowing copying, for fair dealing purposes, of 10% of the
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the course material itself
The University of Western Australia 2001

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Unit details
Unit title
Unit code
Availability
Location

Frontiers in Biology
BIOL1130
SEM-1, 2016 (29/02/2016 - 25/06/2016)
Crawley

Credit points

Mode

Face to face, Multimode

Contact details
Faculty
School
School website
Unit coordinator
Email
Telephone
Unit co-coordinator
Consultation hours
Lecturers

Unit contact hours

Lecture capture system
Online handbook
Unit website

Faculty of Science
Plant Biology
http://www.plants.uwa.edu.au/
Dr Susan Barker
susan.barker@uwa.edu.au
6488 2435
Dr jan hemmi
By appointment

Name

Position

Email

Telephone Number

Susan Barker
Jan Hemmi
Nicki Mitchell
Patrick Finnegan
Jason Kennington

Assoc/Professor
Lecturer
Assistant Professor
Assoc/Professor
Assoc/Professor

susan.barker@uwa.edu.au
jan.hemmi@uwa.edu.au
nicola.mitchell@uwa.edu.au
patrick.finnegan@uwa.edu.au
jason.kennington@uwa.edu.au

6488 2435
6488 3117
6488 4510
6488 8546
6488 3233

Lectures: 2 hrs per week; practical sessions: 9 x 1 - 3 hrs; Question and Answer tutorial: 1 hr at the end of
each module
LCS is implemented for this unit.
http://handbooks.uwa.edu.au/units/unitdetails?code=BIOL1130
www.lms.uwa.edu.au (only for enrolled students)

Unit description
This unit explores the origins and definitions of life, and the processes that led to today's incredibly diverse array of organisms, from
viruses to vertebrates. Unifying patterns and concepts are demonstrated, such as the structure and function of cells, how cells
reproduce, how traits particular to a species are passed to new generations, and how the inheritance of DNA is the basis of evolution
and the formation of species. The unit appeals to students wishing to begin their training as a biological scientist and who are interested
in learning about topics that are challenging and fascinating our leading researchers. Students completing this unit are able to
understand basic evolutionary and genetic principles, appreciate the diversity of cell types among living organisms and understand why
common features of cellular organisation and function, such as anaerobic metabolism, have been retained during the evolution of life;
recall the fundamentals of cell structure and function, the general principles of reproduction and basic genetics, and evolutionary
processes; understand the principles of experimental design and analysis and apply them to simple laboratory exercises and
assignments; work co-operatively in laboratory settings, showing proficiency in the handling of biological materials and in the use of
equipment; and demonstrate critical thinking through laboratory assessments and assignments.

Learning outcomes
Students are able to (1) become familiar with, and can recall(a) the current understanding of the origins and diversity of life; (b) the
organisation and basic functioning of cells; and (c) basic evolutionary and genetic principles; (2) demonstrate the principles of
experimental design and analysis through simple laboratory experiments and assignments; (3) work cooperatively in pairs and in teams
in laboratory classes, showing proficiency in the handling of biological material and in the use of equipment in a safe and responsible
manner; and (4) demonstrate critical thinking through practical laboratory assessments and assignments.

Unit structure
Lectures
Two 1-hour lectures per week

Practical sessions
One compulsory 1-3 hour laboratory class in each of seven weeks of the semester, usually in the Biology Building teaching
laboratories. A laboratory coat and shoes entirely enclosing the foot must be worn within the laboratories for particular classes. Long
hair must be tied back from the face. No food, drink or smoking materials may be consumed within the laboratories at any time.

Whole class Tutorial

One 1-hour Question and Answer Session in most weeks of the semester

Unit schedule
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Teaching
Week

Date

Lecture Topic

Lecturer Tutorial

W 29 Feb
10.00 am
W 29 Feb
11.00 am
W 7 Mar 10.00
am
W 7 Mar 11.00
am
W 14 Mar
10.00 am
W 14 Mar
11.00 am
W 21 Mar
10.00 am
W 21 Mar
11.00 am
F 23 Mar 11.00
am
W 28 Mar
10.00 am
W 28 Mar
11.00 am
W 4 Apr 10.00
am
W 4 Apr 11.00
am
W 18 Apr
10.00 am
W 18 Apr
11.00 am
F 20 Apr 11.00
am
W 25 Apr
10.00 am
W 25 Apr
11.00 am
W 2 May 10.00
am
W 2 May 11.00
am
W 9 May 10.00
am
W 9 May 11.00
am
F 11 May
11.00 am
W 16 May
10.00 am
W 16 May
11.00 am
W 23 May
10.00 am
W 23 May
11.00 am
W 30 May
10.00 am
W 30 May
11.00 am

Introduction to unit

SB / JH

Biological Enquiry

NM

Evolving Life

NM

Discovering evolutionary
relationships
Classifying biodiversity

NM

Interrelationships of living things

NM

1
2
2
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
6
6
8
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14

NM

Biological Diversity

Resource use in time and space NM

Invading ants and disrupted
mutualisms

Laboratory

Introduction to the Biology

Journal Project

Lori Lach
NM

Unity and Diversity of Cell

structure
Cell division and evolution

PF

Energy metabolism and

glycolysis
Mitochondrial function

PF

Photosynthesis

PF

One big happy family: organelle

interactions

JH

Q & A session on
Module 1
All about cells

PF
Biology Journal project: how are
you going?

PF

PF
Proteins and their activities

PF

Information storage: DNA and

genes
Information transfer: RNA

PF

Information use: Protein

synthesis
The endomembrane system

PF

Evolution in our time: herbicide

resistance

SP

Osmosis
Q & A session on
Module 2
NO PRACTICAL

PF

Respiration

PF

PF
Inheritance of traits

JK

Genes in populations

JK

Natural selection

JK

Speciation

JK

Coevolution

JK

Selection after sex

JF

Page 3

The GMO debates - getting

started

Q & A session on
Module 3
The GMO debates live

Speciation in snails

Sexual selection and Practical

Exam

14

F 1 Jun 11.00
am

JK

Q & A session on
Module 4

Assessment
Assessment overview
Typically this unit is assessed in the following ways: (1) practical worksheets; (2) a team presentation; (3) online quizzes; (4) a written
report; and (5) a final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Assessment mechanism
# Component

Weight Due Date

1 Online Tests
15%
2 Final exam
35%
3 Practical assessments 50%
4
5
6
7
8

June examination period

Assessment items

Textbooks and resources

Recommended texts
Knox, B., Ladiges, P., Evans, B. & Saint, R. (2015)Biology, an Australian Focus (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Book Co., Sydney, Australia.
ISBN 1743073410 RRP $182.95 (Packaged with Connect online access code).
Can be purchased as an e-book - details provided on LMS and in the first lecture.

Suggested alternate texts

The fourth edition of the textbook is acceptable, but will not provide the information required for all aspects of the theory assessment.

Software requirements
Familiarity with MS Excel and MS Word would be an advantage. Students will be required work and to submit work on-line for several
assessments.

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