MAORIHTH 21H : Introduction to Biology

Medical and Health Sciences

2024 Semester One (1243) (12 POINTS)

Course Prescription

An introduction to the structure, function and processes of the human body at cellular and tissue levels. Special emphasis on the four primary tissues including membrane transport, muscle types and function, blood and the immune response, and basic neurobiology. Provides foundational knowledge of development post fertilisation and the anatomy and physiology of selected mammalian organ systems. Exposes students to the laboratory environment, particularly microscopy and dissection.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Tracey Winter
t.winter@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: People and Place
Capability 2: Sustainability
Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Capability 8: Ethics and Professionalism

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Identify cell structures and be able to explain the functions of each structure and the various processes that occur within the cell. (Capability 3 and 4)
  2. Show linkages within and between the different organisational levels using selected mammalian organ systems. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 7)
  3. Be able to interpret diagrams/graphs/illustrations of cells and organs. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 7)
  4. Explain the structure and function of tissues within an organ. (Capability 3, 4, 5 and 7)
  5. Develop and demonstrate the skills to work collectively and collaboratively in a group. (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  6. Be able to correctly carry out experiments in the laboratory environment using microscopes, histology and dissection (Capability 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of biology to health and Indigenous science. (Capability 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Tutorials 10% Individual Coursework
Test 1 5% Individual Test
Assignments 10% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Test 2 20% Individual Test
Laboratories 15% Group & Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Tutorials
Test 1
Assignments
Final Exam
Test 2
Laboratories

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 12 point course and students are expected to spend 8 hours per week involved in each 12 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, per week you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 2 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 3 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete components of the course.
Lectures are organised for in-person attendance and will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials/labs will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for tests/exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

  • Course guide - this will be provided for you and you will receive this during week 0.
  • Recommended text - Pearson Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology. Elaine N. Marieb and Suzanne M. Keller - 12th edition.
  • A laptop is recommended for this course. 

  • Laptops are available for 2-hour loan from the Kate Edger Information Commons, Philson Library, and Sylvia Ashton-Warner Library (Epsom and Tai Tokerau). Laptops for loan during classes are also available via the Certificate in Health Sciences programme. Subject to availability.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

We endeavor to address all student feedback within a course and for future cohorts. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

An online Academic Integrity module must be completed as part of the Certificate in Health Sciences programme. This module is accessible via Canvas. Aim to complete this online module within the first 2 weeks of semester 1.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Students may also approach the Certificate in Health Sciences MAPAS Student Support Advisor to discuss any impairment-related concerns. For more information contact 0800 20 20 99 option 1 or email mapas@auckland.ac.nz.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

 It is recommended that all tests are attempted where possible.
Students may be eligible for special consideration if they are unable to sit a test or believe that their test preparation and/or performance was seriously impaired because of illness, injury, or other misfortune beyond their control.
In such situations, students should complete the CertHSc Special Consideration form as soon as possible, no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date. This form will be available on CANVAS.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.