Students
BIOL1620 – Foundation in Life Sciences
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
First Year Teaching Coordinator
Kate Barry
Fleur Ponton
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides foundation skills required for working in medical and life sciences laboratories. Skills will be learnt in the context of current global health issues including antimicrobial resistance and malaria, health reporters such as immunity and haematology and approaches to disease diagnosis. Students will acquire hands-on laboratory skills, including aseptic technique for microbiology, use of microscopes and spectrophotometers, extraction of bioactive molecules, and data collection and analyses. Students will hear from medical and life science researchers who will provide context for the weekly skills topics and information on the diverse employment areas in medical science. Students also begin to acquire skills in interpreting and citing scientific literature and developing a foundation in communication skills and scientific writing. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Articulate and practice appropriate health, safety and ethical standards relevant to medical science
- ULO2: Describe global health issues of significance to society today using appropriate scientific terminology
- ULO3: Develop and demonstrate competencies in standard laboratory techniques (e.g. dilutions, aseptic technique, imagery and measurement, labelling, diagnostic sample preparation)
- ULO4: Describe and practice scientific methods from generating hypotheses and predictions to designing experimental procedures, and undertaking data collection
- ULO5: Develop competency in working individually or as a team in the laboratory and tutorials
General Assessment Information
UNIT COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
1. Overall mark of 50% or above
2. Submit all assessments and attend all exams
3. Participate in 80% of practicals and tutorials
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in pracs & tutes | 0% | No | Weekly |
| Lab/Tute Prep Activities | 10% | No | Weekly on Monday @ 11am |
| Mid-term quiz test | 15% | No | During prac session (Week 6) |
| Mid-term practice-based exam | 30% | No | During prac session (Week 6) |
| Final quiz test | 15% | No | During prac session (Week 12) |
| Final practice-based exam | 30% | No | During prac session (Week 12) |
Participation in pracs & tutes
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 0%
Attendance at, and participation in, weekly practicals and tutorials is compulsory. Participation will be demonstrated by actively undertaking the experiments, and will be recorded. Students may be able to attend a make-up class, or else a Special Consideration request must be submitted.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Articulate and practice appropriate health, safety and ethical standards relevant to medical science
- Describe global health issues of significance to society today using appropriate scientific terminology
- Develop and demonstrate competencies in standard laboratory techniques (e.g. dilutions, aseptic technique, imagery and measurement, labelling, diagnostic sample preparation)
- Describe and practice scientific methods from generating hypotheses and predictions to designing experimental procedures, and undertaking data collection
- Develop competency in working individually or as a team in the laboratory and tutorials
Lab/Tute Prep Activities
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Weekly on Monday @ 11am
Weighting: 10%
Students will be provided with pre-prac information and need to complete a quiz / short written piece before each class (45min x 8 assessment activities).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Articulate and practice appropriate health, safety and ethical standards relevant to medical science
- Describe global health issues of significance to society today using appropriate scientific terminology
- Describe and practice scientific methods from generating hypotheses and predictions to designing experimental procedures, and undertaking data collection
- Develop competency in working individually or as a team in the laboratory and tutorials
Mid-term quiz test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: During prac session (Week 6)
Weighting: 15%
The mid-term exam has a quiz-based section where students will be tested on their knowledge.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Articulate and practice appropriate health, safety and ethical standards relevant to medical science
- Describe global health issues of significance to society today using appropriate scientific terminology
- Develop and demonstrate competencies in standard laboratory techniques (e.g. dilutions, aseptic technique, imagery and measurement, labelling, diagnostic sample preparation)
- Describe and practice scientific methods from generating hypotheses and predictions to designing experimental procedures, and undertaking data collection
Mid-term practice-based exam
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: During prac session (Week 6)
Weighting: 30%
The mid-term exam has a practice-based section where students will be tested on their lab skills.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Articulate and practice appropriate health, safety and ethical standards relevant to medical science
- Describe global health issues of significance to society today using appropriate scientific terminology
- Develop and demonstrate competencies in standard laboratory techniques (e.g. dilutions, aseptic technique, imagery and measurement, labelling, diagnostic sample preparation)
- Describe and practice scientific methods from generating hypotheses and predictions to designing experimental procedures, and undertaking data collection
Final quiz test
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: During prac session (Week 12)
Weighting: 15%
The final exam has a quiz-based section where students will be tested on their knowledge.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Articulate and practice appropriate health, safety and ethical standards relevant to medical science
- Describe global health issues of significance to society today using appropriate scientific terminology
- Develop and demonstrate competencies in standard laboratory techniques (e.g. dilutions, aseptic technique, imagery and measurement, labelling, diagnostic sample preparation)
- Describe and practice scientific methods from generating hypotheses and predictions to designing experimental procedures, and undertaking data collection
Final practice-based exam
Assessment Type 1: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: During prac session (Week 12)
Weighting: 30%
The final exam has a practice-based section where students will be tested on their lab skills.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Articulate and practice appropriate health, safety and ethical standards relevant to medical science
- Describe global health issues of significance to society today using appropriate scientific terminology
- Develop and demonstrate competencies in standard laboratory techniques (e.g. dilutions, aseptic technique, imagery and measurement, labelling, diagnostic sample preparation)
- Describe and practice scientific methods from generating hypotheses and predictions to designing experimental procedures, and undertaking data collection
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Lectures: 1-hour lecture that cover hot topics in Health & Disease, presented weekly. Lectures are pre-recorded and will be uploaded to Echo360 in iLearn.
Tutorials: 1-hour tutorial per week, held online via Zoom.
Practicals: 2-hours per week, held in the 06WW labs.
Unit Schedule
1-hour pre-recorded lecture via Echo360, 1-hour online tutorial via Zoom, 2-hour practicals held in 06WW labs.
Tute options:
| Monday | 09:00am |
| Monday | 10:00am |
| Monday | 11:00am |
| Tuesday | 09:00am |
| Tuesday | 10:00am |
| Tuesday | 11:00am |
Prac options:
| Monday | 11:30am |
| Monday | 14:00pm |
| Tuesday | 09:00am |
| Tuesday | 11:30am |
| Tuesday | 14:00pm |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook