Course Title: Plant and Animal Biology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Plant and Animal Biology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2547

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2023,
Sem 2 2024,
Sem 2 2025

Course Coordinator: Dr Rebecca van Gelderen

Course Coordinator Phone: Contact via MS Teams

Course Coordinator Email: rebecca.vangelderen@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 203.03.05

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment in person or online via MS Teams; Email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course is intended as an introduction to plant and animal biology. It introduces the student to the morphology and anatomy (how they are constructed) and to the physiology (how they work) of plants and animals.

The aim of the course is to provide knowledge and understanding in plant and animal science for future career and employment aspirations in biotechnology and environmental biology areas.

Students are guided through the course by structured lectures and lectorials that precede relevant practical classes in the laboratory or in the field to achieve competence in technical skills.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This course contributes to the program learning outcomes for the following program(s):

BP350 - Bachelor of Science (Biological Science & Biotechnology Major)

PLO 1 Apply a broad and coherent knowledge of scientific theories, principles, concepts and practice in one or more scientific disciplines.
PLO 2 Analyse and critically examine scientific evidence using methods, technical skills, tools and emerging technologies in a range of scientific activities.
PLO 3 Analyse and apply principles of scientific inquiry and critical evaluation to address real-world scientific challenges and inform evidence based decision making.
PLO 4 Communicate, report and reflect on scientific findings, to diverse audiences utilising a variety of formats employing integrity and culturally safe practices.
PLO 5 Work independently, with agility, safety, and accountability for own learning and professional future.

BP293SBDD - Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Biomedical Science

PLO 1.2 Explaining the role and relevance of biotechnology and biomedical science in society
PLO 3.1 Gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of sources
PLO 3.4 Collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data.

For more information on the program learning outcomes for your program, please see the program guide.


Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  1. Describe the structure of plants and animals, including their tissues, organs and cell types.
  2. Explain the physiological processes in plants (including water and nutrient transport, photosynthesis, and regulation of growth and development) and animals (including digestion, reproduction, hormones, locomotion, nervous system, circulation, respiration and water balance).
  3. Conduct experimental work to understand plant and animal structure and function, analyse the data and draw appropriate conclusions.
  4. Communicate plant/animal biology concepts and findings in a variety of formats, including written reports.
  5. Discuss how First Nations knowledge contributes to our understanding of plant and animal biology.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

Weekly learning resources are set up and available in Canvas.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, which may include books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

Assessment Task 1: Online Quizzes
Weighting 15%
This assessment supports CLOs 1 & 2

Assessment Task 2:Practical Reports (HURDLE)
Weighting 45%
This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5
This assessment task includes the hurdle to pass the induction safety assessment in order to pass the course and to be allowed to participate in laboratory practicals during the course.

Assessment Task 3: Problem Based Assessment (written)
Weighting 40%
This assessment supports CLOs 1, 2, 4 & 5

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.