GENETICS 3211 - Gene Expression & Human Developmental Genetics III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This advanced genetics course examines the diverse molecular mechanisms that control the expression of genes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It continues with a description of the human genome and a description of how genes are regulated during development. Topics include the regulation of gene expression; epigenetic events; the genetic and epigenetic basis of human disease (including cancer); neurogenetics; gene therapy; genetic control of development.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GENETICS 3211
    Course Gene Expression & Human Developmental Genetics III
    Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 19 hours per fortnight
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites GENETICS 2510 & GENETICS 2520 or equivalent
    Incompatible GENETICS 3210
    Assumed Knowledge GENETICS 3111
    Course Description This advanced genetics course examines the diverse molecular mechanisms that control the expression of genes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It continues with a description of the human genome and a description of how genes are regulated during development. Topics include the regulation of gene expression; epigenetic events; the genetic and epigenetic basis of human disease (including cancer); neurogenetics; gene therapy; genetic control of development.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Michael Lardelli

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The course aims to give students a level of understanding of concepts and experimental techniques in the areas of gene regulation, developmental genetics and human genetics that would enable them to develop competencies expected of a university graduate in Genetics. The course cannot hope to cover comprehensively the very broad range of research questions in these areas but it will give students understanding of specific exemplary questions and provide them with knowledge of how they can extend their learning as required by future studies and employment. The practical aspect of the course aims to equip students with sufficient fundamental skills to apply them to a broad range of positions requiring these skills.

    The anticipated knowledge, skills and/or attitude to be developed by the student are:

     1.    Understanding of the underlying conceptual framework regarding the regulation of genes and how research expands our knowledge in this area

    2.    Understanding of the underlying conceptual framework regarding how genes control embryo development and how research expands our knowledge in this area

    3.    Understanding of the underlying conceptual framework regarding human genetics and how research expands our knowledge in this area

    4.    Comprehension of scientific research data described in peer-reviewed journals

    5.    Recording of laboratory research notes and analysis and reporting of experimental data

    6.    The ability to extract relevant information from literature databases and to present it in written or oral form


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 4,5,6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 5,6
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 5
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 4,6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 4,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    This course will require the following texts and other resources:

    Text for Human Genetics lectures: 'Human Molecular Genetics - 4th Edition' by Strachan
    and Read.

    Copies of scientific papers for Gene Regulation and Developmental Genetics aspects of the
    course (supplied by the lecturers)

    Collaborating research laboratories

    Practical manuals (if doing the practical. These are supplied by lecturers running each
    practical)

    Practical Laboratories (if doing the practical)

    Scientific equipment

    Lecture theatres and tutorial rooms

    Access to University Library

    Access to computers and internet

    Students must supply laboratory coat and safety glasses for their own use

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be delivered by the following means:

    3 lectures of 1 hour each per week

     1 tutorial of 1 hour per fortnight

     12 hours of laboratory/other practical work per fortnight

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 6 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 24 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary

     

    Week   Type of Learning Activity Topic
    1 Lecture Developmental Neurogenetics
    Practical Developmental Genetics
    Tutorial or other activity None
    2 Lecture Developmental Neurogenetics
    Practical Developmental Genetics
    Tutorial or other activity Developmental Neurogenetics
    3 Lecture Developmental Neurogenetics / Regulation of Gene Expression
    Practical Developmental Genetics
    Tutorial or other activity None
    4 Lecture Regulation of Gene Expression
    Practical Additional Developmental Genetics time if needed
    Tutorial or other activity Developmental Neurogenetics
    5 Lecture Regulation of Gene Expression
    Practical Regulation of Gene Expression – research proposal
    Tutorial or other activity Regulation of Gene Expression
    6 Lecture Regulation of Gene Expression
    Practical Regulation of Gene Expression - research proposal
    Tutorial or other activity None
    7 Lecture Plant Developmental Genetics
    Practical Regulation of Gene Expression - research proposal
    Tutorial or other activity Regulation of Gene Expression
    8 Lecture Epigenetics
    Practical Regulation of Gene Expression - research proposal
    Tutorial or other activity Plant Developmental Genetics
    Mid Semester Break
    9 Lecture Epigenetics / Human Genetics
    Practical Human Molecular Genetics: Positional Cloning of Human Genetic Diseases Presentation Exercise
    Tutorial or other activity Epigenetics
    10 Lecture Human Genetics
    Practical Human Molecular Genetics: Positional Cloning of Human Genetic Diseases Presentation Exercise
    Tutorial or other activity Human Genetics
    11 Lecture Human Genetics
    Practical Human Molecular Genetics: Positional Cloning of Human Genetic Diseases Presentation Exercise
    Tutorial or other activity None
    12 Lecture Human Genetics
    Practical Human Molecular Genetics: Positional Cloning of Human Genetic Diseases Presentation Exercise
    Tutorial or other activity Human Genetics
    13* Lecture
    Practical
    Tutorial or other activity
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Type of Assessment Percentage of total assessemnt for grading purposes Hurdle
    Yes/No
    Outcomes being assessed/achieved
    Final Examination Summative 60% No 1,2,3,4
    Research Proposal Formative/Summative 15% No 1,4,5
    Research Report Summative 15% No 2,4,5
    Literature Review & Presentation Summative 10% No 3,4,6


    Assessment Detail
    Research Proposal (conducted within a 4 week period) – gene regulation (15% of course grade) Students are allocated to a group led by a demonstrator and are each given a recent research article to read carefully and understand. They are then asked to identify a question that follows on from the research outlined in the paper, and to outline an experiment(s) that the authors might reasonably undertake to answer the question. 3% of the 15% course grade is awarded for understanding of the research paper (assessed by interview with the group leader), 2% of the 15% course grade is awarded for clearly describing the question (assessed by interview with the group leader), 5% of the course grade is awarded for the written research proposal itself and 5% for the student’s performance at an associated panel interview where the research proposal is discussed. (Summative and possibly formative assessment depending on when the task is conducted*.)
    Research Report – developmental genetics (15% of course grade). 3-4.5% of the 15% is awarded for written answers to questions requiring internet and other literature research. 10.5-12% of the 15% is awarded after completion of the laboratory-based practical work for the quality of the written experimental notes and answers to questions included within the experimental handbook. (Summative and possibly formative assessment depending on when the task is conducted*)
    Literature review and presentation (10% of course grade) Students must extract information on a human disease from a database and then make a 5 minute oral presentation backed up by slides. They are assessed on the content and delivery of the information. (Summative and possibly formative assessment depending on when the task is conducted*).
    (*Each of the three assessed components above is conducted over a 4 week period with one of them providing feedback before the middle of the semester. However, the order of the components may vary from year to year.)

    Final examination (60% of course grade). This will be a three hour examination assessing any/all theoretical aspects of the course. The examination includes compulsory areas but also a limited choice of questions within each compulsory area. (Summative assessment)
    Submission
    Submission of Developmental Genetics Practical workbooks is into the submission box at the front desk of the Molecular Life Sciences Building. Submission of other essays is via MyUni and will include checking for plagiarism by Turnitin. Details on submission are provided in the Course Handbook and/or Practical manuals etc.

    Late submission of assessments

    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply.  A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied.  This means that an
    assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.


    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

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