Outline

Overview

Complex interactions between molecules and cells form the basis for life on earth. In this unit, you will explore scales of organisation from molecules to cells and organisms. The unit begins the journey of life with the synthesis of biomolecules, follows on through the expression and regulation of genes, to the complex communication between molecules, and then to cells and how cells are integrated to form a complex organism. You will learn how single cells divide and differentiate to create simple and complex multicellular organisms which experience disease and death. Concepts of cellular energy, communication, and enzymes, all of which combine to drive life processes, will be explored. In this unit, you will gain an understanding of the fundamental role of cells in normal bodily functions and recognize that disturbances to organism homeostasis have a molecular and cellular basis. You will also investigate the impacts and interactions between microbial and human life, including the development of drugs and biotechnology. You will participate in inquiry-led laboratories and workshops that require problem solving, collaboration and teamwork. By doing this unit you will be developing the knowledge and critical thinking skills required to solve problems in the pharmaceutical, life and medical sciences.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BIOL1009
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	BIOL1X07
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Osu Lilje, osu.lilje@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Michael Widjaja, michael.widjaja@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Osu Lilje, osu.lilje@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam 2 hour exam	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Module Quiz End of Module 1 Quiz	10%	Week 06 Due date: 31 Mar 2023 at 23:59	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Visualising Cells - Poster and Reflection To create a poster on visualising cells and the effect of drugs.	15%	Week 09 Due date: 28 Apr 2023 at 23:59	PowerPoint page and Reflection statement
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Module Quiz End of Module Quiz 2	10%	Week 10 Due date: 05 May 2023 at 23:59	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Module Quiz End of Module Quiz 3	10%	Week 12 Due date: 19 May 2023 at 23:59	30 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Skills in cells and microbiology Skill based assessment	15%	Week 13 Due date: 23 May 2023 at 17:00	90 minutes
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Writing task: This assignment will require you to integrate information from lectures and practicals to create a concise written argument.
Post module quiz: Consisting of 10 multiple choice questions, these quizzes will test your understanding of material covered in the entire module, generally 3-4 weeks.
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.

Assessment criteria

Result code	Result name	Mark range	Description
HD	High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
DI	Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
CR	Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
PS	Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
FA	Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
AF	Absent fail	0 - 49	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than 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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: Molecules	Lecture (3 hr)
	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: DNA and RNA	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer Practical 1: Safety Induction	Practical (1 hr)
Week 02	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: DNA and RNA	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: DNA and RNA	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer Practical 2: DNA Isolation & Quantification	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: Protein Synthesis	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: Protein Synthesis	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: Practical 3: Exploring a Protein by Enzyme Assay	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: Enzymes and Kinetics	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: Enzymes and Kinetics	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 1: Molecules and Information transfer: Practical 4 Cell Respiration	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Cell Replication	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Cell Replication	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Practical 5 Cells and Cell Replication	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Cell transport	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Cell transport	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Practical 6 Cells – Understanding Water Movement	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Cell Nutrients and Respiration	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Cell Nutrients and Respiration	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 2: Cells, the building blocks of life: Workshop - Pharmacogenomics	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microbial Communities	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microbial Communities	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microbial Diversity and Ubiquity	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microbes and Humans	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microbes and Humans	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microscopic and macroscopic disease Visit to Ainsworth Interactive Museum	Field trip (3 hr)
Week 10	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microbes and Disease	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microbes and Disease	Lecture (1 hr)
	Module 3: Cell systems and microbiology: Microbes in the Environment & Transmission and Epidemiology	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Module 4: Future Medicine: Biotechnology	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Module 4: Future Medicine: Indigenous knowledge of medicinal properties of plants	Practical (2 hr)
Week 12	Module 4: Future Medicine: Regenerative Biology	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Module 4: Future Medicine: Assessment Skills Test	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Module 4: Future Medicine: Stem cells and aging	Lecture (1 hr)

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. Describe information transfer from DNA to proteins, cell regulation and gene expression, cell generation of energy (metabolism and photosynthesis).
LO2. Explain the biological organisation from molecules to cells and cellular communities which integrate to form a dynamic network in an organism.
LO3. Describe cell differentiation and diversity. Explain cell compartmentalisation and consequences for function in prokaryote and eukaryote cells.
LO4. Describe modern molecular techniques, including genomic and proteomics and the role of microbes in health and disease and biotechnology.
LO5. Solve problems: (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.
LO6. 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.
LO7. 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.

This is a new unit and there is no previous history of feedback from students.

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BIOL1009: From Molecules to Cells and Organisms

Semester 1, 2023 [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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect