TFCBIO 92F : Foundation Biology 2

Science

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

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.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: TFCBIO 91F or Director approval Restriction: BIOSCI 91F, 92F, 91P, 92P

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain the importance of biological macromolecules and the role of biological molecules and their function. (Capability 3, 4 and 6)
  2. Describe and explain cell structure in relation to the functions of the cell. (Capability 3 and 4)
  3. Describe and explain how character traits are inherited using the basic concepts of genetics including mitosis and meiosis, Mendelian genetics, gene interactions and genetic technologies. Plus from a genome perspective, discussing modern humans closest relatives and migration across the world. (Capability 1, 3 and 4)
  4. Identify and describe the structure and function of human cells and tissues and describe the cellular processes that enable human cells to perform required functions. (Capability 1, 3, 4 and 5)
  5. Discover and develop skills for independent learning, and skills that enable working with others to coordinate, activities that achieve group/team objectives. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)
  6. Design and create a sickle-cell infogram explaining one aspect, or multiple facets of the disease to a non-science audience. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Coursework (Labs) 36% Group & Individual Coursework
Test 24% Individual Test
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Coursework (Labs)
Test
Final Exam
Students must pass the practical (combined lab assessments) and the theory (tests and final exam) independently to pass the course overall.

Key Topics

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

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.

Tuākana

Tuakana tutorials are offered fortnightly throughout the semester.

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.


Delivery Mode

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

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.

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.

Health & 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).

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.

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

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations 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. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

The Tertiary Foundation Certificate Biology course will be delivered using a range of media platforms in response to any events described above.

With respect to COVID levels the following apply:
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.
Levels 3 or 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.