Introductory Cellular Physiology (BIOM1051)

Course overview

The course covers the fundamental concepts that allow complex organisms to function, with some focus on the human body & other higher organisms. Key concepts include basic cellular transport & signalling mechanisms, principles of biochemistry, neuronal structure & function, motor mechanisms & locomotion, circulation & gas exchange, and the endocrine system. Of key importance is the integration of concepts as they apply to the structure and function of different regions of the entire organism.

BIOM1051 ('Introductory Cellular Physiology') is an integratedﾠbiology course offered by the School of Biomedical Sciences and theﾠSchool of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences. It presents a comprehensive overview of how structure and function are integrated at all levels from the cell to the organism.

The course contact hours include three lectures and a workshop most weeks and and four 3hour practical laboratory sessions during the semester. NOTE that practicals do not necessarily occur on alternating weeks and you should carefully check the dates for your scheduled practicals in your timetable. In Week 3, online tutorial classes will commence and run for the rest of the semester. There will be recordings for most activities (not practicals) provided that the technology functions (as it usually does), but we strongly recommend that you join us for ALL activities live and that you use theﾠrecordings only to help in your review of the material.

BIOM1051 is a 2 unit course, so, in addition to formal class contact, students are expected to study in groups and individually, progressively throughout the semester for this course. It will be necessary to spend a total of approximately 10-12 hours each week engaged in activities related to BIOM1051 throughout the semester (from Week 1). You must plan your timetable to enable you to attend all of your course activities as you will find the material very challenging otherwise.

Students should note that this course utilises animalﾠspecimens during the practical classes. Potential students who, for medical, personal, religious or other reasons, are unable to fully participate in these practical classes should discuss their situation with one of the Course Coordinators prior to enrolment.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Incompatible

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

BIOL1040, BIOM1050

Restrictions

Restricted to students enrolled in the BPharm (Hons), BDentSc (Hons), BOccHlthSafetySc (Hons) programs only.

Course staff

Timetable

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

Additional timetable information

It is essential that you check your personal timetable for scheduling of lectures,ﾠworkshops, practicals, and tutorial sessions. Your personal timetable will have the details including the venues for all of your face-to-face classes in BIOM1051. Tutorials will be conducted online.

Note: Please make sure to attend the correct practicals for your group. If you miss a practical for a valid reason, such as illness, then you will need to liaise with your group members promptly, so that you can submit your practical assessment by the due date and time. If you miss a practical for any reason, then you must still submit the relevant practical assessment (report) by the due date, unless you have an approved extension based on a medical certificate or other evidence as appropriate.

Aims and outcomes

BIOM1051 is structured around 6 key organising principles that map to unifying themes in the "Campbell Biology" textbook and to the learning objectives of BIOM1051. Students undertaking BIOM1051 should understand and appreciate the following 6 key organising principles:

1. That structure and function are interrelated at all levels. Each level of organisation in the living world has its own unique aspects and there is continual interaction of structure and function between these levels.ﾠ
2. That life can be described, explained and explored at different levels of hierarchical organisation.
3. That cells and groups of cells / organism are capable of short-term and long-term adaptive changes involving feedback loops.ﾠ
4. That organisms are open systems that exchange materials and energy with their surroundings and in doing so perform work.ﾠ
5. That the process of bioscience includes observation-based discovery and the reproducible testing of explanations through hypothesis-driven enquiry.ﾠ
6. That bioscience is multidisciplinary and new technologies are frequent outcomes. An understanding of the importance of science and technology in everyday life is critical to the broader society.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Practical Report - Biochemistry

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

6%

Due date

1/05/2025 - 15/03/2025

DATES CHANGED TO ACCOUNT FOR MOVE OF PRAC FROM WEEK 3 TO WEEK 9 AFTER THE CYCLONE

G1: 1pm 1 May;

G2: 5pm 1 May;

G3: 1pm 3 May;

G4: 5.30pm 3 May

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L11, L12, L13, L15

Task description

Submission guidelines

The practical report, including the fully completed electronic coversheet on the first page, must be submitted via the relevant Turnitin link in the course Blackboard site, by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. It is your responsibility to download a digital receipt of your submission. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.

If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified late submission penalty in the table above will apply to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your submission, please email a copy of your assessment to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au so this can be logged on your behalf before the due date.

Practical Report - Osmosis

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

6%

Due date

20/03/2025 - 22/03/2025

G1: 1pm 20 Mar;

G2: 5pm 20 Mar;

G3: 1pm 22 Mar;

G4: 5.30pm 22 Mar

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L12, L15

Task description

Submission guidelines

The practical report, including the fully completed electronic coversheet on the first page, must be submitted via the relevant Turnitin link in the course Blackboard site, by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. It is your responsibility to download a digital receipt of your submission. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.

If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified late submission penalty in the table above will apply to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your submission, please email a copy of your assessment to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au so this can be logged on your behalf before the due date

Practical Report - Action Potential

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

6%

Due date

10/04/2025 - 12/04/2025

G1: 1pm 10 Apr;

G2: 5pm 10 Apr;

G3: 1pm 12 Apr;

G4: 5.30pm 12 Apr

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L09, L10, L13, L14, L15

Task description

Submission guidelines

The practical report, including the fully completed electronic coversheet on the first page, must be submitted via the relevant Turnitin link in the course Blackboard site, by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. It is your responsibility to download a digital receipt of your submission. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.

If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified late submission penalty in the table above will apply to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your submission, please email a copy of your assessment to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au so this can be logged on your behalf before the due date. 

Practical Report - Skeletal Muscle

• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Practical/ Demonstration

Weight

6%

Due date

15/05/2025 - 17/05/2025

G1: 1pm 15 May;

G2: 5pm 15 May;

G3: 1pm 17 May;

G4: 5.30pm 17 May

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L09, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15

Task description

Submission guidelines

The practical report, including the fully completed electronic coversheet on the first page, must be submitted via the relevant Turnitin link in the course Blackboard site, by the submission deadline. You may submit drafts to Turnitin up to the due date, but you will only be able to submit once on or after the due date. It is your responsibility to download a digital receipt of your submission. You should also keep an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.

If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified late submission penalty in the table above will apply to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties uploading your submission, please email a copy of your assessment to sbms@enquire.uq.edu.au so this can be logged on your behalf before the due date. 

Online Quiz 1 - Modules 1, 2 & 3

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

8%

Due date

9/04/2025 - 11/04/2025

Quizzes are due at 1:00pm on the closing date.

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L04, L05, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12, L14, L15

Task description

Submission guidelines

We recommend that you do not use the Blackboard Phone App nor a wireless network connection when completing this Blackboard assessment. Both are unstable and could affect your ability to complete your Blackboard assessment, by for example:

• you may lose connectivity and lose the work you have completed;
• your submission could indicate you have completed your assessment task, but nothing has been delivered into BlackBoard.

Please ensure that you only use a reliable internet connection.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.

If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified late submission penalty in the table above will apply to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.

Maximum extension length is 7 calendar days to facilitate timely release of feedback and to encourage student timely engagement with content.

Late submission

No late submissions possible.

Online Quiz 2 - Modules 4, 5 & 6

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

8%

Due date

28/05/2025 - 30/05/2025

Quizzes are due at 1:00pm on the closing date.

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L04, L05, L07, L08, L09, L10, L12, L13, L14, L15

Task description

Submission guidelines

We recommend that you do not use the Blackboard Phone App nor a wireless network connection when completing this Blackboard assessment. Both are unstable and could affect your ability to complete your Blackboard assessment, by for example:

• you may lose connectivity and lose the work you have completed;
• your submission could indicate you have completed your assessment task, but nothing has been delivered into BlackBoard.

Please ensure that you only use a reliable internet connection.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Requests for extension must be made prior to the submission deadline, even if you are awaiting your supporting documentation. Late requests for extension will not be accepted for consideration unless you provide evidence of exceptional circumstances preventing you from submitting a request prior to the deadline, e.g., due to hospitalisation.

If you have been granted an extension, then the assessment specified late submission penalty in the table above will apply to submissions made after the due date of the approved extension.

Maximum extension length is 7 calendar days to facilitate timely release of feedback and to encourage student timely engagement with content.

Late submission

No late submissions possible.

Invigilated On Campus End of Semester Examination

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

60%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

7/06/2025 - 21/06/2025

Learning outcomes

L01, L03, L04, L05, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15

Task description

Exam details

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.

Additional course grading information

No assessment items are compulsory. A mark of zero will be recorded if an assessment item is not submitted. Penalties apply for late submission unless there is an approved extension date.ﾠ​

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

Information onﾠ applying for an assessment extensionﾠ can be found on the ﾠApplying for an extension website.

Information onﾠ applying for a deferred examﾠ can be found on the ﾠDeferring an exam website.

Information onﾠ assessment re-mark requests ﾠcan be found on the ﾠQuerying a result website.

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

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Other course materials

Additional learning resources information

A lot of practice questions will be provided in lectures, workshops and tutorials to help you to prepare for the standard of the questions that you can expect in the two online quizzes and the end of semester examination.

All of the materials that you will need for your classes and assessment tasks in the course will be made available via the BIOM1051 Blackboard website, either directly or through internet links.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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 - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

School guidelines

Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:

• SBMS Assessment Guidelines