Unit rationale, description and aim
Biomedical science is a vast discipline with the united aim of understanding the human body so that we can look after it, and therefore also includes areas such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, and biochemistry. To do this it is vital that the modern biomedical scientist develops a strong foundation in cellular biology. As the smallest unit of life, the cell underpins all functions of concern with the body. This unit aims to begin the development of a strong cell biology foundation by exploring the structure and function of cells, including how structure relates to function. In doing so they will consider how cells can combine and work together to form tissues, allowing for more complex processes to occur within the human body. This unit also focuses on developing students’ core scientific skills, including laboratory (e.g. micropipetting & microscopy) and communication skills.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Explain the relationship between cell structure an...
Learning Outcome 01
Describe how cell specialization relates to format...
Learning Outcome 02
Demonstrate competence in foundational biomedical ...
Learning Outcome 03
Communicate scientific processes and results effec...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Structure and function of cells
- Specialisation of cells
- Relationship between cells and tissues
- The scientific process
- Foundational biomedical laboratory skills (e.g. microscopy and micropipetting)
- Scientific communication
Assessment strategy and rationale
A range of assessment procedures will be used to confirm that the unit learning outcomes have been attained and all graduate attributes.
Theory tests will assess student mastery of discipline knowledge covered in the unit. A communication task will allow students to demonstrate critical thinking and their ability to communicate scientific processes and results to a literate audience. The practical assessment provides students an opportunity to demonstrate competency in foundational biomedical laboratory procedures and techniques. These procedures and techniques represent essential knowledge and skills for all biomedical scientists. Students will be given 3 attempts to successfully complete the practical assessment.
In order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome. The practical assessment is the only task to assess learning outcome 3, and therefore, students must achieve a passing mark for this assessment, as well as 50% overall for the unit in order to pass.
Strategies aligned with transition pedagogies will be utilised to facilitate successful completion of the unit assessment tasks. For each assessment, there will be the incorporation of developmentally staged tasks with a focus on a progressive approach to learning. This will be achieved through activities, including regular feedback, particularly early in the unit of study to support their learning; strategies to develop and understand discipline-specific concepts and terminology; in-class practice tasks with integrated feedback; and greater peer-to-peer collaboration.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Theory tests Theory test A An early...
Assessment 1: Theory tests
Theory test A
An early, low-stakes test that requires students to demonstrate their understanding of foundational concepts.
Theory test B
Enables students to demonstrate their understanding of the theoretical component of the unit.
(45% in total)
15%
30%
Assessment 2: Communication task Requires student...
Assessment 2: Communication task
Requires students to evaluate data and demonstrate their written communication skills at an undergraduate level.
25%
Assessment 3: Practical Assessment Enables studen...
Assessment 3: Practical Assessment
Enables students to demonstrate (i) competence in essential laboratory skills and (ii) basic understanding of associated technical knowledge.
30%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This is a specified unit in the Diploma in Biomedical Science. Online recorded lectures provide asynchronous content delivery, while on-campus classes provide opportunities for skills acquisition and application. This unit has a strong focus on core biomedical laboratory knowledge and skills, which are crucial for later units within the program, and future employment in the field. Inquiry- and problem-based in-class activities encourage students to engage with the scientific process, developing critical thinking and autonomous learning skills.
Further to this, to ensure students are ready to transition from the Diploma and articulate into the second year of undergraduate study, transition pedagogies will be incorporated into the unit as the key point of differentiation from the standard unit. This focuses on an active and engaging approach to learning and teaching practices, and a scaffolded approach to the delivery of curriculum to enhance student learning in a supportive environment. This will ensure that students develop foundation level discipline-based knowledge, skills and attributes, and simultaneously the academic competencies required of students to succeed in this unit.