School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Origins and Evolution of Life
  • Unit Code

    SCI1183
  • Year

    2025
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    3
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Sean BUCKLEY

Description

This unit is a general introduction to biology, from the origin of life, cell structure and biochemistry to genetics, taxonomy and evolution. Note that practical activities in this unit include the use of animals, animal products and tissues. All activities comply with Animal Welfare legislation and NHMRC Guidelines and, where appropriate, are approved by the ECU Animal Ethics Committee.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe key concepts that explain the evolution and diversity of life.
  2. Test key concepts using the scientific experimental approach.
  3. Generate, analyse and summarise data in a laboratory setting.
  4. Access, evaluate and communicate scientific information from a variety of sources.
  5. Work collaboratively and independently to solve biological questions.

Unit Content

  1. Practical and scientific skills including use of microscopes and interpretation of images; sterile laboratory techniques; design, collection, statistical analysis and interpretation of experimental data; and construction of biological keys.
  2. Theories on the origins of life on earth and the chemical conditions that enabled evolution.
  3. The significance of cells and cell-replication, from prokaryotic to eukaryotic life, including the structure and function of key cell components and important biological molecules.
  4. The basis of genetic inheritance including the structure and organisation of DNA and chromosomes; the patterns of genetic inheritance from passing DNA from one generation to the next (e.g. through meiosis); and the regulation of DNA expression (e.g. transcription, translation).
  5. Theories on how the diversity of life has evolved on earth including population and species concepts; natural selection; micro- and macroevolution; diversity and taxonomy.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 26 x 3 hour labNot Offered6 x 3 hour lab
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot Offered12 x 2 hour lecture
Semester 24 x 3 hour workshopNot Offered4 x 3 hour workshop

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Laboratory classes are interactive and involve work in partners or groups where enquiry and research led learning are used to demonstrate key concepts introduced in the lectures. Information is provided via Blackboard and includes links to reading and relevant on-line videos and other sources of information. On-line quizzes are provided to check, review and consolidate learning.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestOnline quizzes12%
Laboratory WorkHands on laboratory activities28%
ReportLaboratory Report20%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

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