Unit rationale, description and aim
An understanding of the physiology of the human body and the genetic basis of life is a key component for future studies in the areas of biological or health sciences and education. This unit will provide students with the opportunity to develop necessary skills to review current research and conduct practical investigations to develop an understanding of the cellular and genetic basis of life, the maintenance of a healthy body and the origin of disease, both infectious and non-infectious. The focus will be on genetic technologies, the use of ‘Big Data’, and how artificial intelligence (AI) is helping advance scientific research. Students will conduct and analyse investigations to collect valid and reliable primary data and secondary information. Students will identify trends, patterns and relationships in data and recognise errors, uncertainty and limitations in the data associated with scientific and media texts. Such skills will be invaluable in their university degree and beyond. The aim of this unit is to provide understanding of skills and content relevant to first year science studies at university.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.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.
Identify the various mechanisms used by organisms ...
Learning Outcome 01
Describe the treatment, prevention and control of ...
Learning Outcome 02
Collect valid and reliable primary data and second...
Learning Outcome 03
Explain how mutations can lead to abnormal cell fu...
Learning Outcome 04
Evaluate the use of Big Data and artificial intell...
Learning Outcome 05
Content
Topics will include:
- Model processes involved in cell replication
- Model processes involved in DNA replication and polypeptide synthesis
- Patterns of genetic inheritance and the implications of mutations
- Homeostasis, the maintenance of a constant internal environment in an organism
- The treatment, prevention and control of infectious and non-infectious disease
- The structure and function of the immune system
- Epidemiological studies
- The use of Big Data in our understanding of the function of genes, proteins and the development of disease
- The investigation of the advantages and disadvantages of current genetic technologies and the use of AI
- Plan, conduct and evaluate first-hand investigations
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks in this unit are designed to support skill progression and align with students’ future professional goals. Each task integrates hands-on investigation, physical and digital models, and scaffolds to develop oral, written, research, and digital skills.
In the first assessment, students will conduct a first-hand laboratory investigation to answer a question, explore an idea, or solve a problem. Groups will be assessed on the collection of valid and reliable data and the completion of a practical report. They will be supported in class with regular guidance and feedback. In the second assessment, will build on their understanding of the scientific method and work in groups to review a scientific paper addressing a contemporary professional issue related to health. They will prepare a presentation supported by visual aids and pre-record a presentation for the class. The basis of this assessment is teamwork and the and the accurate communication of science concepts. In the third assessment, students will combine individual and group efforts to analyse the role of ‘Big Data’ and AI in mitigating future pandemics. Groups will model machine learning and independent learning in their presentations, while individual contributions will be evaluated based on each student’s short analysis.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Practical investigation Students ...
Assessment 1: Practical investigation
Students will collect and explain first-hand experimental data and present the data in an experimental scientific report.
25%
Assessment 2: Scientific report ...
Assessment 2: Scientific report
Students will utilise the scientific method to explore and present, through a verbal report, a current scientific topic related to the health of individuals in a specific profession.
30%
Assessment 3: Evaluation of scientific models St...
Assessment 3: Evaluation of scientific models
Students will examine and debate the role of 'Big Data' and AI in preventing impacts and minimising the risk of future pandemics.
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit focuses on how the students learn and ensures they are actively engaged in learning and encourages more complex thought processes. Opportunities such as enquiry-led tasks and open-ended questions, challenge the students and support them to build knowledge and their own understanding. This assists them to plan, set goals, and develop daily work habits, as well as acquire skills to be used in undergraduate biology units. Tutorials, practical sessions, digital technologies, visual aids, lectures, and the review of current science research will be the basis of the unit. Major emphasis will be placed on the development of written, oral and digital communications skills, and equipping students with tools and approaches to improve these skills. Students will be expected to collate materials throughout the sessions to complete investigations, to evaluate collected information, and to complete written exercises to improve their scientific literacy skills. Activities will focus on the participation in group work and the submission of individual tasks. Students will be supported throughout the unit’s duration with weekly class input, online presentations, scaffolded activities, worked examples, references, pre-work and post work tasks.