Course coordinator
Dr Millicent Smith
Appointments are available by request, please email to arrange an appropriate time.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- Gatton
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Gatton
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
This course provides an introduction to the basic biology of organisms. Students will examine life at increasing levels of biological complexity from the molecular and cellular levels to the whole organism. Early in the course, the content is common to all organisms and later diverges into plants and groups other than vertebrates. Students can use this underpinning knowledge for further study in biological and ecological sciences.
At the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, we are committed to creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment for all students. We value and respect the diverse range of experiences our students bring to their education, and we believe that this diversity is crucial for fostering a rich culture of knowledge-sharing and meaningful exploration. We hold students and staff accountable for actively contributing to establishing a respectful and supportive learning environment.
Bullying, harassment, and discrimination in any form are strictly against our principles and against UQ Policy, and will not be tolerated. If you have any concerns about your experience in this course, we encourage you to tell a member of the course teaching team. Your well-being and a positive learning atmosphere are of utmost importance to us.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that students have some basic knowledge of general biology. Online learning modules will be available through Learn.UQ at the beginning of semester to help students adequately prepare for the course.
Restrictions
Any student who has completed BIOL1020, BIOL1030, BIOL1040 or BIOL1050 will need permission from the Faculty of Science to enrol into AGRC1021. Please contact the Faculty of Science.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Millicent Smith
Dr Suresh Krishnasamy
Professor Brett Ferguson
Associate Professor Paul Ebert
Guest lecturer
Professor Victor Galea
Dr Alwyn Williams
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
If you have any concerns regarding your official timetable or course allocations, or there are no suitable class times available, contact Faculty of Science Timetable science.mytimetable@uq.edu.au for advice.
If you have any questions about missing class activities, please contact your course coordinator.
Aims and outcomes
This course introduces the themes of modern biology. The material presented in this course provides essential understanding of biological concepts necessary for further study in biological and ecological sciences.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe concepts of biology from cell to organism level
LO2.
Interpret complex biological processes occurring in applied scenarios
LO3.
Apply knowledge of biology to a practical problem
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination |
In-Semester Examination
|
40% |
In-semester Saturday 27/03/2026 - 3/05/2026 |
| Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration |
Practical Assessment
|
20% |
Submission is required in the timetabled practical session Week 5 Wed - Week 5 Thu Submission is required in the timetabled practical session Week 7 Wed - Week 7 Thu Submission is required in the timetabled practical session Week 9 Wed - Week 9 Thu Submission is required in the timetabled practical session Week 12 Wed - Week 12 Thu |
| Examination |
End of Semester Examination
|
40% |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
Assessment details
In-Semester Examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
In-semester Saturday
27/03/2026 - 3/05/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
The exam can cover any content in this course covered in the modules 'The Cell' and 'Genetics' (Week 1 - 6) including all the lectures, practicals and textbook chapters from Campbell Biology Australian and New Zealand Version, 12th edition.
The exam will be an on-campus exam, at a scheduled on-campus session*. For Saturday exams, please note a Saturday In-Semester exam may be scheduled on 1 of 3 possible dates each semester. Refer to the Academic Calendar for possible dates. Students will be advised of specific dates if applicable.
*You will receive a personalised exam timetable from Examinations including the exact date, time and venue closer to the examination date.
Students must attend the exam in-person. Please ensure you arrive at the venue at least 15 minutes prior. Have your student ID card available for all your exams.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Practical Assessment
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
Submission is required in the timetabled practical session Week 5 Wed - Week 5 Thu
Submission is required in the timetabled practical session Week 7 Wed - Week 7 Thu
Submission is required in the timetabled practical session Week 9 Wed - Week 9 Thu
Submission is required in the timetabled practical session Week 12 Wed - Week 12 Thu
- Other conditions
- Time limited, Secure.
Task description
Practical sessions provide hands-on learning activities that deepen your understanding of lecture material while developing laboratory safety awareness and essential scientific skills. There are five practical sessions during the semester: one introductory session (Session 1) and four assessed sessions (Sessions 2-5). Each assessed session contributes 5% to your final grade for this task to a total of 20%.
Session 1. Laboratory Induction and Orientation
The first session is a mandatory laboratory induction and orientation. This introductory session provides the necessary safety inductions and covers essential laboratory safety protocols while familiarising you with equipment and procedures used throughout the semester. You must attend be fully inducted to the lab (completing both the online and in person induction) to participate in subsequent assessed practical sessions.
Sessions 2 - 5: Practical Sessions
Following the introductory session, each of the four assessed practical sessions is related to a specific theory module covered in lectures.
During each session, you will complete exercises in your practical manual based on observations of living organisms and collection of experimental data. Your manual will be assessed at the conclusion of each session based on your demonstrated skills competence and completion of exercises. You may work collaboratively on practical activities, but your manual must contain your own work and reflect your individual understanding. Specific practical activities (for example, microscope setup) may also be assessed by demonstrators during the practical session. In these cases, it will be noted clearly in the practical manual. Practical manuals remain in the laboratory at all times and cannot be taken home to ensure data integrity and prevent academic misconduct.
Laboratory Safety Protocols
Students are not permitted to have electronic devices (phones, laptops, iPads) on the laboratory bench for safety reasons. Electronic devices can be left outside the laboratory or handed to a demonstrator upon entering the lab.
Use of AI
This assessment is completed in-person during practical sessions. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools is not permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Understanding the Nature of Practical Sessions in this Course
These practicals differ from other course assessments in important ways that affect attendance and assessment policies.
Live Material and Time-Sensitive Experiments: The practical exercises utilise living specimens (plants, invertebrates, fungi), some of which are collected at particular times and/or undergo specific treatments over predetermined periods. These biological processes cannot be paused, repeated, or replicated outside the scheduled timeframe due to environmental conditions. Once the practical period concludes, the experimental conditions that form the basis of student observations and data collection are no longer available.
Resource and Logistical Constraints: The specialised equipment, controlled environment growth facilities, purchase of live invertebrate organisms, and staff supervision required make it prohibitively expensive and logistically impossible to replicate practical sessions for individual students or small groups.
Absence from a Practical Session
If you miss your scheduled practical session, you will receive zero marks for that sessions assessment. No additional learning materials or practical sessions will be made available without approval from a practical absence.
If you miss your scheduled practical session due to circumstances beyond your control (e.g., illness) you must submit a practical absence request immediately accompanied by acceptable supporting documentation as detailed below:
- Submit your request prior to or on the day of the missed session
- Include acceptable supporting documentation (see approved reasons and documentation)
- Find the submission link in Course Resources (Blackboard Ultra)
- Requests without proper documentation may not be approved. It is your responsibility to submit applications with correct documentation.
- Due to the challenges of coordinating practical classes with biological organisms, no extensions or make up sessions are available for this course. Alternative assessment or make-up arrangements for approved absences will be organised individually by the course coordinator.
If you require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the School - agriculture@enquire.uq.edu.au.
What to Expect
During your make-up session, you will complete the practical you missed. This includes time to complete your practical manual and related skills assessment. As these practicals use living organisms, some specimens may no longer be available. Where this is the case, suitable alternatives will be provided so that you can still meet the learning objectives and complete the associated assessment.
Why Practicals Cannot Simply Be Repeated
It may be helpful to understand why scheduling is so constrained in this course. Our practicals rely on:
- Live, time-sensitive material — biological specimens that are collected at specific times or undergo treatments over set periods. Once the practical window closes, those experimental conditions cannot be recreated.
- Specialised resources — controlled growth facilities, live invertebrate organisms, and dedicated staff supervision make it logistically and financially impossible to run individual or small-group repeat sessions.
Your make-up session has been arranged specifically to give you a fair opportunity to engage with the material within these constraints.
Submission guidelines
The practical manual must be handed to the demonstrators for your bench at the conclusion of each practical class. Specific practical activities (for example microscope set up) may also be assessed by demonstrators during the practical class. In these cases, it will be noted clearly in the practical manual.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Due to the format of the assessment being completed during the practical session where these activities are unable to be reproduced, extensions cannot be granted for this assessment item. Students who are unable to attend the practical for reasons beyond their control will need to complete the ‘Absence from Practical’ form - details will be in Blackboard. If approved, access to alternative assessment will be organised with these individual students.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Live Material and Time-Sensitive Experiments The practical exercises utilise living specimens (plants, invertebrates, fungi) some of which are collected at particular times and/or undergo specific treatments over predetermined periods. These biological processes cannot be paused, repeated, or replicated outside the scheduled timeframe due to environmental conditions. Once the practical period concludes, the experimental conditions that form the basis of student observations and data collection are no longer available.
Resource and Logistical Constraints The specialised equipment, controlled environment growth facilities, purchase of live invertebrate organisms, and staff supervision required make it prohibitively expensive and logistically impossible to replicate practical classes.
End of Semester Examination
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
Task description
The exam can cover any content in this course covered in the modules 'Biological Diversity' and 'Plants' (Week 7 - 12) including all the lectures, practicals and textbook chapters from Campbell Biology Australian and New Zealand Version, 12th edition.
The exam will be an on-campus exam. Students enrolled in In Person delivery must attend the exam in-person. Have your UQ student ID card available for ALL your exams.
Electronic devices such as laptops and phones are strictly prohibited.
As this is an in-person assessment, the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools is prohibited. Any attempt to use these tools may be considered student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 90 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 0 - 34% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 35 - 46% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 47% - 49% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 50% - 64% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 65% - 74% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 75% - 84% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 85% - 100% |
Additional course grading information
Course Grading Rules
To pass this course, students must achieve an overall mark of 50% or greater across all assessment items.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Please note the following when writing your assignments
You must not re-use past work from previous assessments in your assignments.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
All reported work must be done by the individual student. Assignments that look and sound alike will be reported as plagiarism – a serious offence at UQ. Please note the university’s policy on academic integrity and plagiarism which can be accessed at Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy.
Turnitin
Assignments that are required to be submitted through Turnitin, must only be uploaded to the assessment specific Turnitin link on the relevant course Blackboard site. If you submit any version of your assessment item to any alternative Turnitin link, this is considered cheating, and you will be held liable for this action.
Results:
Unless specifically indicated by the lecturer involved, every attempt will be made to have the results for progressive assessment tasks available within 3 weeks of submission. For items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will be available before the day of your end of semester examination in the course, unless otherwise indicated by the Course Coordinator. Results and feedback availability for progressive assessment will be announced via the course Blackboard site.
Feedback in this course
Feedback is welcome in this course as any information on how students find this learning experience is constructive.
Please use the evaluation form provided to you at the end of semester - or if you are enrolled internally, a course evaluation process will occur in the last few weeks of semester.
Re-mark Applications – refer to the University's Re-mark Policy to check your eligibility.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| AGRC1021 Course Blackboard Site through Learn.UQ http://learn.uq.edu.au/ | Access to course Blackboard site (Learn.UQ) which will provide the main means for communication. The course coordinator will post weekly announcements to keep students informed of any developments. | own item needed |
| Mastering Biology & Campbell Biology e-text | Mastering Biology is a personalised, interactive learning experience. It integrates homework, tutorial assistance, guided solutions and textbook content with unlimited practice. This tool gives you access to the e-textbook and Dynamic Study Modules that are based on our set textbook Campbell Biology. Please DO NOT purchase the Mastering Biology platform, access to Mastering Biology will be provided free through Learn.UQ. There is no requirement to purchase the textbook. All students will have access to an eText directly from Pearson through the Mastering Biology platform. Students who wish to access a hard copy of the textbook can purchase a copy through the campus bookshop | own item needed |
| Laboratory Coat | It is a University requirement that you wear a clean laboratory coat when working in the laboratory. Lab coats can be purchased from the campus bookshop. | own item needed |
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Lecture |
Lecture Series Three hours of lecture are scheduled in person per week. Please refer to the full lecture schedule in the course Blackboard site for further detail. |
Practical |
Practical Series There is one three hour practical session scheduled six times during the semester. During these practical sessions, students will work in small groups to gain hands-on experience with biological techniques and laboratory safety protocols. These sessions provide opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world biological problems. Students will receive regular feedback on their application of techniques and interpretation skills throughout these practical classes. Please refer to the full practical schedule in the course Blackboard site. |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.