SLE132 - Biology: Form and Function
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 2: Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Previously coded as: | SBB132 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 2: Aaron Schultz |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | SLE010 |
| Incompatible with: | SLEM132 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 1 hour online lectures per week, 5 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester, 5 x 2 hour seminars per trimester. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
SLE132 introduces students to animal and plant biology. Students will explore the relationships between structure and function and how these attributes enable living organisms to adjust to their environment. Students will begin by exploring the evolution of plants, before moving onto morphology, growth, reproduction, biotechnology, and use of plants as food and medicine. Examples of non-plant eukaryotes including algae and fungi will also be introduced and their relationship with plants explored. Focus then moves to animal form and function to explore the physiological processes that enable animals to adjust and survive in their environment. Students will also be introduced to First Nations knowledges of plants and animals.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Demonstrate knowledge of the basic physiological and evolutionary processes determining the structure and function of animals, plants, fungi and algae. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Analyse and solve problems on the structure, physiology and evolution of animals and plants. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO3 | Perform laboratory procedures such as microscopy and the measurement of physiological phenomena in practical classes. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Collaborate in a research team, applying discussion, research and scientific writing skills to real world biological case studies, including Country and First Nations knowledges. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | 60-minute online test | 10% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 2 | Pre-practical quizzes and practical class worksheets | 40% | Before and after each practical session |
| Assessment 3 | Team-based learning task, with written and oral response components | 20% | Fortnightly |
| Assessment 4 Team Research Report | Research team written report | 20% | Week 10 |
| End-of-Unit Assessment | Timed 60-minute online test | 10% | End-of-Unit Assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
Prescribed text(s): Openstax Biology 2e (freely available at Openstax link).
The texts and reading list for SLE132 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.