BIOSCI 107 : Biology for Biomedical Science: Cellular Processes

Science

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The cellular basis of mammalian form and function. Particular emphasis will be placed on cellular components and processes of blood, neural, muscular, reproductive, immune and supporting systems and how they contribute to the structure and function of the body as a whole.

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to human biology with particular emphasis on the cellular basis of form and function. Cellular components and processes of blood, neural, muscular, developmental, immune and supporting systems will be discussed. The course focuses primarily on processes relevant in humans, however, the fundamental nature of the topics covered is of much wider relevance, and the course is recommended for anyone interested in biology. This course is one of the four core courses taken by first year BHSc or BSc (Biomedical Science) students wanting to apply for clinical  programme selection.

Laboratories – There are five lab sessions  which provide students with practical laboratory skills in an experimental context. The lab sessions complement the concepts learnt in the lectures. Students complete a short online quiz prior to the lab and an assignment is submitted at the end of each lab. Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5 are covered in laboratories 

Online Feedback– The Online Feedback component of this course provides a self-directed opportunity for students to gain an understanding of their own learning progress. There are a variety of online quizzes/activites throughout semester, including a Mock Test. Learning Outcomes 1,2 are covered in quizzes

Test and Exam - The test is ninety minutes long and consists of multi-choice questions. The exam is two hours long and consists of multi-choice questions.  Learning Outcomes 1,2 are covered in the test and exam 

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify and describe the structure and function of human cells and tissues. (Capability 1, 2 and 5)
  2. Define and describe the cellular processes that enable human cells to perform required functions. (Capability 1, 2 and 5)
  3. Use and apply practical laboratory equipment correctly to collect experimental data. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  4. Critically evaluate experimental data, presenting findings clearly and logically. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5)
  5. Participate in group discussions, communicating effectively and logically. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Laboratories 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Test 30% Individual Test
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
Laboratories
Quizzes
Test
Final Exam
Students must pass the practical (laboratories/prelab quizzes) and the theory (online feedback, test and exam) independently to pass the course overall. 

Tuākana

Biological Sciences have an active Tuākana programme to support our BIOSCI 107 students. Please visit the link below for more information.
https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html

Key Topics

BIOSCI 107 content covers seven topic modules:
Cells & Tissues
Cell Structure & Function
Special Topics
Blood & Immune
Cell Processes
Excitable Tissue: Muscles
Excitable Tissue: Neurons

Special Requirements

Evening test 6.30-8.00 pm

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 ~35 hours of lectures, 15 hours of laboratories, with the remaining ~70 hours spent reading and thinking about the content, and working on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at labs to complete practical components of the course.
We strongly recommend lecture attendance, but they will also be available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the test and exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

A remote version of the course can be made available to students located overseas because of border restrictions, or those with an exemption to study remotely.

Learning Resources

Prescribed text: 
Tortora et al, Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, the 2nd Asia Pacific edition, Wiley Publishing (IBSN number 9780730363538). This is also the prescribed text for MEDSCI 142. 
Course guide:
A combined lecture and laboratory guide is available for purchase through UBIQ or can be downloaded for free via CANVAS. You will need to bring  the relevant pages from the laboratory manual to each of your practical sessions. 
A recommended supporting textbook:
This text is particularly recommended for students who do not have a strong background in biology: Campbell's Biology, Reece et al. (2017) 11th Edn., Australia and New Zealand version. (Pearson Benjamin Cummings). This is also the prescribed text for BIOSCI 101.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes 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.

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 against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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.

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 http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework 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 https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

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 your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Level 1: Delivered normally as specified in Delivery Mode.
Level 2: You will not be required to attend in person. All teaching and assessment will have a remote option. The following activities will also have an on campus / in person option: lectures, labs and office hours.
Level 3 / 4: All teaching activities and assessments are delivered remotely.

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 https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 05/12/2020 05:06 p.m.