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Overview

Course Prescription

Questions what life is and explores its machinery. Speculates on how life arose from the flow and capture of solar energy to power growth, movement, replication and storage of genetic information. Describes how genes interact with environments, and how mutations can be catastrophic or transformational. These processes underpin life as we know it.

Course Overview

Your journey through BIOSCI 101 starts by questioning what life is, and how life may have arisen. The chief ingredient for life is energy, and most of it comes from the Sun. This energy was possibly trapped within primordial molecules, some of which are now universal among all organisms. We discuss how cells harness this power to replicate, grow, move and store genetic information within genes. We then progress to how genes interact within the cell and environment, and how genetic mutations can be catastrophic or transformational. We will have set you on a course to understand the processes and patterns underpinning life. Tihei mauri ora!

The course is structured to maximise the opportunity for students to master conceptual and skill outcomes. To enable this, a variety of learning opportunities are blended into the course to facilitate each student to work and learn independently at the level and pace appropriate to their needs. All teaching activities and resources can be accessed in Canvas.

The lectures guide you to learn knowledge and the process for answering assessment questions. The course includes online videos to help with familiarisation and retention, where your background may need updating. Practice activities with feedback and questions are available online in the tutor system MasteringBiology. The MasteringBiology system gives you access to the text version of Campbell Biology (prescribed text) with various functions to support your learning including translation into multiple languages. The knowledge you have gained during the course is assessed in a short test (week 10) and final exam. Laboratories occur six times during the semester (fortnightly) and are also assessed.

BIOSCI 101 Life! Origins and mechanisms must be taken by all students in the Biological Sciences major alongside its sister courses BIOSCI 108 Biodiversity: Patterns of life and BIOSCI 109 Ecology and Evolution: The Continuum of Life, as year one core requirements. 

 It is recommended having a background in year 12 and /or 13 biology and chemistry to ensure you have the appropriate level of preparedness for BIOSCI 101.

Key Topics

BIOSCI 101 has three overarching topics which are delivered in the following order during the semester. Each topic takes about four weeks.
BIOENERGETICS: The lecture topics include: an introduction to biochemistry, thermodynamics and its relevance to metabolism and life; the chemical components of cells; Glycolysis; The Citric Acid cycle (CAC), the second of Kreb’s cycles; The Electron Transport System, the spark of life; ATP synthesis, the search for the squiggle (~); Glucose, eat it or make it; Blood glucose levels during the fed and fasting states, exercise and diabetes; Photosynthesis, the conversion of light energy to chemical energy; or knowing where  French fries really come from?

CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: This topic includes Cells and organelles; Cell membranes, cell junctions and membrane transport; The structure and composition of proteins; Enzymes and the nature of enzymic catalysis; Structure and function of nucleic acids; Synthesis of mRNA (transcription) and protein synthesis (translation); The genetic code and transcriptional control; Control of gene expression in bacteria - the lac operon.

GENETICS: This topic includes: the genetic basis of inheritance; population genetics; how genes interact with the environment; DNA technology, including the latest DNA sequencing techniques and their ethical implications; biotechnology and gene editing; personalised genomics, with a focus on research applications in New Zealand.

Course Contacts

Course Director: Amanda Harper (a.harper@auckland.ac.nz)

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures and 1 hour of work on online assignments per week. There are 3 hours of labs per fortnight  with an additional 1 hour of work on lab preparation prior to the labs. Additional online material to support learning lecture material is available each week.

For the 12 teaching weeks, this totals  66 hours. Since the course as a whole represents approximately 150 hours of study, that leaves a total of 84 hours across the entire semester for independent study, e.g. reading, reflection, preparing for assessments/exams.

Advice on Course Limits

This is a limited entry course: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. In cases where the courses is taught under two separate codes (e.g. concurrently taught courses, general education courses) the course limit specified is the total across both versions of the course. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled lab activities to complete assessments that contribute marks to the final grade.
Lectures will be taught on campus and available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

Prescribed text book: Campbell Biology: Australia and New Zealand version, 12th edition, 2021. Lisa A. Urry, Michal L. Cain, Steven A. Wasserman, Peter V. Minorsky, Robert B Jackson, Neil A. Campbell, Jane B. Reece. Pearson Education Inc.Other recommended reading is available through the library course pages.
Course Workbook and Laboratory manual (one book) can be purchased from Ubiq the university bookstore. This book is also available in Canvas in electronic format.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

Students must pass the practical (laboratories) and the theory (online assignments, test and exam) independently to pass the course overall.

Special Requirements

Assessment:
Attendance is required at the evening test 6.30-8.00 pm (confirmed date is provided in course work book and in Canvas).
Health and Safety:Students are required to supply and wear a lab coat and safety glasses while in the teaching lab.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type123456

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Feedback from previous BIOSCI 101 cohorts has changed the assessment, pace, and topic choices in the course. We continually review the course and draw upon the collective experience and wisdom of our students as well as our staff, in developing and fine-tuning this course.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Additional Information on Tuākana

The Tuākana Biology Programme is a learning community for Māori and Pasifika students taking biology papers. The programme is supported by the School of Biological Sciences. Tutorials will be held every week, usually at the same times and are taken by senior Māori and Pasifika students. The Tuākana Biology Programme provides a friendly and informal atmosphere for students to ask questions about studying and university life in general.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor. Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Additional Information on Inclusive Learning

Your course coordinator is Mandy Harper (phone +64 9 923 7794, email a.harper@auckland.ac.nz). Please let me know how best we can support you in this course.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.