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Overview

Course Prescription

Concepts introduced in TFCBIO 91F are further developed with an emphasis on the structures and processes of living things at cellular and molecular levels. Cell biology, genetic principles and biochemistry are explored and further developed in a human biological context. Laboratories focus on students developing key practical skills.

Course Overview

This course together with TFCBIO 91F course in semester 1 is designed for students who do not meet university entrance requirements. It is one of the two courses students take to complete the year-long Tertiary Foundation Certificate (TFC) program that provides a pathway to enroll in undergraduate programs. 
This course focuses on introducing further fundamental concepts in Biological Sciences in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, and Human Biology. These topics are discussed and linked throughout the practical classes (laboratory + group assignment) and lectures as preparation for Stage 1 Biological Sciences courses: BIOSCI 101, BIOSCI 106 and BIOSCI 107. The design of the course is to expose students to different delivery methods, including traditional lectures, and to engage students in active learning in class using a range of learning approaches including problem (project)-based learning, contextual learning, and Mastery learning. Online resources provide opportunities for revision and practice.

Key Topics

  1. Molecular Biology
  2. Cell Biology
  3. Genetics
  4. Human Biology

Course Contacts

Course Director: David Seldon (d.seldon@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 three hours of lectures per week, three hours of labs per fortnight. Students are expected to spend additional hours each week reviewing notes and lecture material, and working on assignments and/or test preparation.


Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Prerequisite
Restriction

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
South Auckland

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including lectures, labs and tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials and labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
Attendance on campus is required for all tests and the final exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable (see TFC 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

The course guide and lab guide are provided at the beginning of the semester, the text book is the same as semester 1 (see Canvas homepage). Copies of these guides will also be available on Canvas.

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.

Health and Safety

In Lab 1, safety instructions for the laboratory are explained and students are reminded throughout the semester to abide by the rules to keep a safe work environment within the lab (as per their Lab Guide).

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

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Additional Information on Assessment

Students must pass the practical (combined lab assessments) and the theory (tests and final exam) independently to pass the course overall.

Special Requirements

As per Tertiary Foundation Certificate regulations attendance will be recorded at lectures, labs and tutorials.
Lab coats and safety glasses will be provided for laboratory sessions.

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234

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

Based on comments from the students we will improve on including more feedback on the lab assignments and tests.

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

Tuakana tutorials are offered fortnightly throughout the semester.

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.

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.

Additonal Information on Special Circumstances

If you are ill or unable to attend a laboratory or incourse test (held within scheduled lecture time) then contact your course coordinator. If you are unable to attend or your performance/preparation may have been affected for the end of course examine, then apply for an aegrotat or compassionate consideration via the link above.

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.