Unit rationale, description and aim

Biomedical scientists play a crucial role in advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human diseases. The cell, as the fundamental unit of life, is the foundation for all bodily functions and therefore it is important for biomedical scientists to develop a strong foundation in cellular biology. This unit will introduce students to the structure and function of cells including how structure relates to function, cell specialisations and the relationship between cells and tissues. This unit will also focus on developing students’ core scientific skills, including laboratory skills (e.g. micropipetting & microscopy), scientific thinking skills and communication skills. This unit aims to provide the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for a biomedical scientist to understand how cells combine and collaborate to form tissues, enabling more complex processes to take place within the human body.

2026 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

Nil

Incompatible

BIOL123 Cells and Tissues - the Fabric of Life BIOD123 Cells and Tissues - The Fabric of Life BIOD130 Cell Biology and Laboratory Skills

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Explain the relationship between cell structure an...

Learning Outcome 01

Explain the relationship between cell structure and function
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC11

Describe how cell specialisation relates to format...

Learning Outcome 02

Describe how cell specialisation relates to formation and function of tissues
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC11

Demonstrate competence in foundational biomedical...

Learning Outcome 03

Demonstrate competence in foundational biomedical laboratory practices and techniques
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC3, GC8

Develop materials that communicate scientific proc...

Learning Outcome 04

Develop materials that communicate scientific processes and results effectively.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC7, GC11

Content

Topics will include:

  • Structure and function of cells
  • Specialisation of cells
  • Relationship between cells and tissues
  • The scientific process
  • Foundational biomedical laboratory skills (e.g. microscopy and micropipetting)
  • Scientific communication


Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to confirm that the unit learning outcomes and identified graduate capabilities have been attained.

Theory tests will assess student mastery of discipline knowledge covered in the unit. A communication task will allow students to demonstrate critical thinking and their ability to communicate scientific processes and results to a literate audience. The practical assessment provides students an opportunity to demonstrate competency in foundational biomedical laboratory procedures and techniques. These procedures and techniques represent essential knowledge and skills for all biomedical scientists. Students will be given three attempts to successfully complete the practical assessment.

In order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome. The practical assessment is the only task to assess learning outcome 3, and therefore, students must achieve a passing mark for this assessment, as well as 50% overall for the unit in order to pass.

Overview of assessments

Assessment Task 1: Theory tests Theory test A: A...

Assessment Task 1: Theory tests

Theory test A:

An early, low-stakes test that requires students to demonstrate their understanding of foundational concepts.

 Theory test B:

Enables students to demonstrate their understanding of the theoretical component of the unit.

Weighting

15%




30%

(45% Total)


Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2

Assessment Task 2: Communication task Requires s...

Assessment Task 2: Communication task

Requires students to evaluate data and demonstrate their written communication skills at an undergraduate level including the importance of academic referencing.

Weighting

25%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8, GC11

Assessment Task 3: Practical Assessment Enables ...

Assessment Task 3: Practical Assessment

Enables students to demonstrate (i) competence in essential laboratory skills and (ii) basic understanding of associated technical knowledge.

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO3
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC7, GC8

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This is a specified unit in the Bachelor of Biomedical Science course which will foster student-centred active learning and accommodate diverse student needs. It includes a combination of self-paced, online learning and real-time classes. Early and additional feedback on learning, and tailored support, are provided to facilitate students’ transition to university. Online recorded lectures provide asynchronous content delivery, while on-campus classes provide opportunities for skills acquisition and application. This unit has a strong focus on core biomedical laboratory knowledge and skills, which are crucial for later units within the program, and future employment in the field. Inquiry- and problem-based in-class activities encourage students to engage with the scientific process, developing critical thinking and autonomous learning skills.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Alberts B, Hopkin K, Johnson AD, Morgan D, Raff M, Roberts K, et al. Essential cell biology. 5th ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company; 2019.

Ovalle W, Nahirney P. Netter’s essential histology: with correlated histopathology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2020.

Tortora GT, Derrickson B, Burkett B, Cooke J, DiPietro F, Diversi T, et al. Principles of anatomy and physiology. 3rd Asia-Pacific ed. Milton (Australia): John Wiley & Sons Australia; 2022.

Urry LA, Meyers N, Cain ML, Wasserman SA, Minorsky PV, Reece JB, et al. Campbell biology. 11th ed, Australian and New Zealand version. Melbourne (Australia): Pearson; 2018.

Locations
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