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Course profile

Genes, Cells & Evolution (BIOL1020)

Study period
Sem 1 2025
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
The Environment School

Students taking this course will learn about the fundamentals of molecular cell biology and genetics by examining what cells are made of and how the genetic information to build cells and perform cellular processes are encoded, executed, and inherited. The course explores the connections between physical processes at the molecular level and the whole organism phenotype, and identifies how cellular, genetic, and evolutionary processes affect everyday life.

Cells and genetic material form the building blocks of life. This course will start by focusing on cells: examining the major domains of life (recognisable by their distinct cell types), introducing biologically important molecules and their roles in defining cell structure and function, considering metabolic energy flows, and finally inspecting the mechanics of cellular division and reproduction. Then we will examine how genetic information is encoded, copied and used to create proteins by various organisms (prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses). Building upon this understanding of the mechanics of DNA copying and transcription, we will explore how these molecular and cellular processes yield whole organism phenotypes. And, conversely, using phenotypes as a starting point for observations, we will examine how the underlying molecular structures and cellular processes can be inferred. Then, we will consider how the relationships between molecular and cellular structures and organismal phenotypes influences evolutionary change, and we will discuss how evolution impacts our everyday lives. The course will close by introducing students to new insights being revealed by genomics and by illustrating the many ways that modern molecular biology and biotechnology use “tools” taken from biological organisms.

Examples in lectures, tutorials, practicals, online activities and assigned readings will draw on a wide range of experimental systems and will be related to contemporary issues in human health, agriculture, and biodiversity whenever possible. Small group and peer-to-peer learning are an important part of the university experience and will be especially promoted during practicals andᅠtutorials. Becoming a life-long learner requires developing skills in self-directed learning; the development of these skills will be supported by guided online activities and assigned readings.

Course requirements

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

CHEE1001, BIOL7020 (co-taught)

Restrictions

Any student who has completed AGRC1020, AGRC1021, ANIM1060, or AGRC1041 will need permission from the Faculty of Science to enrol into BIOL1020. Please contact the Faculty of Science.

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

SIGNING UP FOR LECTURES, PRACTICALS and ONLINE LEARNING!!!!

Enrol in one of the lecture and tutorial streams. You attend a one-hour lecture and one-hour tutorial a week.ᅠ

Enrol in one of the practical sessions. You will attend one practical session per week that lasts three hours. (Some weeks will not have practicals due to public holidays. Practicals start in teaching week 2).

You will be given information on how to access and enrol in Online Learning for BIOL1020. There will be one weekly Online Learning for every week of class (roughly requiring 2-3 hours to complete). You can complete your online learning at your own pace up to each weekly due date for each online learning.

Please note: Every effort is made to place students in their preferred class. However, it is not always possible for a student to be in their most preferred practical or tutorial class. If you have a reason for special consideration (e.g. elite athletes, students with student access plan, or other objective and unplanned issues) please email Lois Eden at l.eden@uq.edu.au with:

  • Your full name (as per UQ enrolment)
  • Your student ID number
  • Details of the class time you'd prefer and the reason why

Attendance in practicals and tutorials is mandatory.ᅠPlease take care to note the timetable for tutorials and practicals as they do not run every week.