Any student needing advice before enrolling should make an appointment to see an adviser from the School of Biological Sciences. For more information contact the First Year Biology Office:
Ph: 9351 5819 or 9351 3007
e-mail: aa-fyb@bio.usyd.edu.au.
Units of study in Biology include those with the prefixes BIOL (Biology), PLNT (Plant Sciences) and MBLG (Molecular Biology and Genetics). Students should refer to the relevant sections of the Faculty of Science handbook for details of PLNT and MBLG units of study.
Students may take up to four units of study in Junior Biology. The following courses are offered by the School of Biological Sciences in First Year Biology. To find out more about the teaching team click here.
| SEMESTER 1 | SEMESTER 2 |
|---|---|
| BIOL 1001 Concepts in Biology | BIOL 1002 Living Systems |
| BIOL 1911 Concepts in Biology (Advanced) | BIOL 1902 Living Systems (Advanced) |
| BIOL 1003 Human Biology | |
| BIOL 1903 Human Biology (Advanced) | MBLG1001 Molecular Biology & Genetics (Intro) (MBLG1001 is offered through the School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences) |
BIOL 1001 Concepts in Biology
Concepts in Biology is an introduction to the major themes of modern biology. The unit emphasizes how biologists carry out scientific investigations, from the cellular/molecular level to the level of ecosystems. Topics covered in lectures and practicals include: introductory cell biology, with particular emphasis on how cells obtain and use energy; the diversity and biology of micro-organisms; an introduction to molecular biology through the role of DNA in protein synthesis, including current developments in DNA technology; genetics of organisms; theories of evolution and phylogenetic analysis, and how they are used to interpret the origins of the diversity of modern organisms; and interactions between organisms in biological communities, with emphasis on Australian ecology.
This is a 6 credit point unit of study consisting of 3 hours of lectures each week and 3 hours of practical work most weeks. A timetable of lectures and practical class topics will be issued with the unit of study notes. This unit is available to students who have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent) or who scored less than 80 in HSC Biology.
A pass in this unit of study, along with a pass in BIOL 1002, BIOL 1902, BIOL 1003, BIOL 1903 or EDUH1016, provides entry into all intermediate units of study in biology in the School of Biological Sciences.
Practical Class Format
Practical classes consist of a series of laboratory-based exercises. Group discussions or revision sessions will be held during practical classes to assist in consolidating your work. Teaching staff are present in the laboratories to help you as needed.
Materials used in practical classes (such as slides, graphics, computer programs) are available for study in the Biology Lizzard Lounge (Room 507, Level 5) the week after they have been used in the laboratory.
Class Times and Locations
LECTURES: Students attend three lectures each week. Lectures 2 and 3 are common to BIOL 1001 and BIOL 1911. You should attend all three lectures, in order, each week. Your personal timetable will indicate which of the common lecture times you should attend.*
PRACTICAL CLASSES are held in the teaching laboratories on Level 3 of the Carslaw Building. You will attend one four-hour practical class each fortnight. Classes are timetabled from Monday afternoon to Friday morning. Your personal timetable will indicate the time of your practical class.
* Note that class times may be subject to change before semester begins, depending on individual timetables and number of enrolments.
Unit Executive Officer
Associate Professor Peter McGee
BIOL 1911 Concepts in Biology (Advanced)
Concepts in Biology (Advanced) builds on the main themes introduced in HSC Biology, with emphasis on current research in biology. Topics covered in lectures and practicals include: cell biology, with particular emphasis on how cells obtain and use energy; the diversity and biology of microorganisms; current developments in molecular biology, including recombinant DNA technology and the human genome project; inheritance, genetics and the origins of diversity of modern organisms; and interactions between organisms in biological communities, with emphasis on Australian ecology. Research-based lectures will expand on the general lecture topics and include current investigations of such diverse topic areas as cancer therapies, metabolic malfunction, anarchy in beehives, evolutionary studies of snake reproductive strategies, plant phylogeny and global environmental change.
This is a 6 credit point unit of study consisting of 3 hours of lectures per week and 4 hours of practical work each fortnight. A timetable of lectures and practical class topics will be issued with the unit of study manual.
This unit is available to students who scored 80 or more in HSC 2-unit Biology (or equivalent). Students may also enter this unit in their second year if they have achieved a Distinction or better in a University level Biology unit.
A pass in this unit of study, along with a pass in BIOL 1002, BIOL 1902, BIOL 1003, BIOL 1903 or EDUH1016, provides entry into all intermediate units of study in biology in the School of Biological Sciences.
Practical Class Format
See BIOL 1001.
Class Times and Locations
LECTURES: Students attend three lectures each week. Lectures 1 and 2 are common to BIOL 1001 and BIOL 1911. You should attend all three lectures, in order, each week. Your personal timetable will indicate which of the common lecture times you should attend.*
PRACTICAL CLASSES are held in the teaching laboratories on Level 3 of the Carslaw Building. You will attend one four-hour practical class each fortnight. Classes are timetabled from Monday afternoon to Friday morning. Your personal timetable will indicate the time of your practical class.
* Note that class times may be subject to change before semester begins, depending on individual timetables and number of enrolments.
Unit Executive Officer
Associate Professor Peter McGee
BIOL 1003 Human Biology
Human Biology is a 6 credit point unit of study consisting of 2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of online activities every week. There are 3 hours of practical work every second week. A timetable of lectures and practical class topics will be issued with the unit of study notes.
The unit of study provides an introduction to cell biology, human physiology and anatomy through lectures, online and practical work. It begins with the building blocks of living organisms, the cell, followed by a look at the skeletal and muscular systems, digestive system, distribution of essential requirements to and from cells, control of body functions and defence mechanisms. After discussion of reproduction and development, it concludes with a look at the human population and environmental impact
This unit of study, together with BIOL 1001 or BIOL 1911, provides entry to intermediate units of study in the School of Biological Sciences, although some additional reading and preparation will be required for intermediate zoology and plant biology units.
Practical Class Format
See BIOL 1001.
Class and Timetable Locations
LECTURES: There are two lectures each week, in several streams. You should attend both lectures, in order, each week. Your timetable will tell you which lecture times to attend.*
PRACTICAL CLASSES are held in the teaching laboratories on Level 3 of the Carslaw Building. You will attend one three-hour practical class every second week. Classes are timetabled from Monday afternoon to Friday morning. Your personal timetable will indicate the time of your practical class.
* Note that class times may be subject to change before semester begins, depending on individual timetables and number of enrolments.
Unit Executive Officer
Dr Osu Lilje
Carslaw Building, Room 517
e-mail: osu@bio.usyd.edu.au
BIOL 1903 Human Biology (Advanced)
This unit of study covers the same material as BIOL1003 except for the addition of special seminars from guest speakers, and an independent project and presentation. See the Advanced Units page for more information.
Unit Executive Officer
Dr Osu Lilje
Carslaw Building, Room 517
e-mail: osu@bio.usyd.edu.au
BIOL 1002 Living Systems
Living Systems is a 6 credit point unit of study consisting of 3 hours of lectures and 2 hours of practical work per week. A timetable of lectures and practical class topics will be issued with the unit of study notes.
Living Systems focuses on the biology and interactions of organisms, from bacteria to plants and animals, including humans, and the relationship between environment, adaptation and function. Major themes address the strategies of various life forms to cope with the vast array of habitats they encounter. How is energy used and recycled in biological communities? Different species are considered comparatively in each habitat to demonstrate the diversity of evolutionary strategies that have developed in response to environmental conditions. The unit of study includes lectures and practical classes on plant and animal anatomy, the physiology of nutrition and growth, basic physiological processes of plants and animals, the ways in which organisms control and integrate their activities and their reproduction.
A pass in this unit of study, along with a pass in BIOL 1001 or BIOL 1911, provides entry to all intermediate units of study in biology in the School of Biological Sciences.
CLASS TIMES AND LOCATIONS
LECTURES: There are three lectures each week.*
PRACTICAL CLASSES are held in the teaching laboratories on Level 3 of the Carslaw Building. You will attend one two-hour practical class each week. Classes are timetabled from Monday afternoon to Friday morning. Your personal timetable will indicate the time of your practical class.
Unit Executive Officer
Dr
Greg Sword
Edgeworth David Building, Room 306
e-mail: greg.sword@bio.usyd.edu.au
* Note that class times may be subject to change before semester begins, depending on individual timetables and number of enrolments.
BIOL 1902 Living Systems (Advanced)
This unit of study shares lectures and practical classes with BIOL1002 but also includes tutorials and special lectures relating to current research in biology. See the Advanced Units page for more information.
Unit Executive Officer
Dr Greg Sword
Edgeworth David Building, Room 306
e-mail: greg.sword@bio.usyd.edu.au