BIOCHEM 3230 - Molecular & Structural Biology III (Biomed Sci)
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code BIOCHEM 3230 Course Molecular & Structural Biology III (Biomed Sci) Coordinating Unit School of Molecular and Biomedical Sci(Inactive) Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 6 Contact Up to 23 hours per fortnight Prerequisites BIOCHEM 2500 & BIOCHEM 2501 Incompatible BIOCHEM 3000 Restrictions Available to BSc(BiomedSc) students only Assessment Exam, Practical Reports, PBL exercises & online assessment Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Tony Fratini
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Understanding aspects of protein structure and function including protein folding, degradation, development of new therapies, molecular interactions and recognition. 2 Understanding aspects of the control of gene expression including genetic circuits, chromatin structure and remodelling, gene promoter assembly, eukaryotic mRNA synthesis, processing and translation. 3 Understanding key experimental processes required to evaluate protein structure, function and gene expression, and knowledge of how to apply them to solve specific biochemical problems. 4 Specific skills in planning, performing, interpreting, quantitatively analysing and communicating biochemical research using a variety of modern experimental techniques. 5 Ability to find, read, interpret and critically analyse relevant scientific literature. 6 Ability to work in teams and communicate scientific outcomes. 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, 2, 3 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 3, 4, 5 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 4, 5, 6 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 6 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1, 2, 3, 4 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 3, 4, 5, 6 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 5, 6 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4, 6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Laboratory coat, safety glasses and closed shoes.Recommended Resources
Text book: Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th Edn) by Alberts et al., 2008, Published by Garland ScienceOnline Learning
Resource material such as lecture, tutorial, practical and past exams will be available on Myuni.
Online assessment will be conducted via Myuni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered by the following means:
3 Lectures (same lectures as BIOCHEM 3000) of 1 hour each per week.
1 Tutorial of 1 hour per week developing material covered in lectures. The lecturer takes the tutorial classes for their section.
1 Practical of 15 hours per fortnight for the first 6 weeks of the semester. (Odd weeks = 5 hours & Even weeks = 10 hourduration) Includes 1 oral presentation in weeks 6, with immediate feedback provided.
3 X 5 hour problem based learning (PBL) workshop per fortnight for the final six weeks of the semester.
3 online multiple choice tests of 1 hour duration per semester (weeks 4, 8 and 12, with immediatefeedback provided).Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Type Number of sessions Duration of each session (hr) Total Hours Lectures 36 1 36 Tutorials 12 1 12 Practicals 9 5 45 PBL 9 5 45 Exam 1 3 3 Type Number of sessions Expected preparation time (hr) Total hours Lab report 1 5 5 Presentation 1 5 5 Summative tests 3 1 3 Literature review 4 3 12 Type Number of sessions Anticipated time (hr) Total hours Weekly reading 36 2 72 Preparation for tutorials 12 1 12 Preparation for practical 6 1 6 Preparation for tests 3 2 6 Exam 48 48 Learning Activities Summary
Schedule
WeekTopic Lecture 1 Protein Life Cycle Lecture 2 Introduction to Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography Lecture 3 Applications of Structural Biology Lecture 4 Protein-nucleic Acid Interactions Lecture 5 Genetic Circuits and Synthetic Biology Lecture 6 Proteomics Lecture 7 Chromatin Remodelling and Transcriptional Control Lecture 8 Chromatin Remodelling and Transcriptional Control Lecture 9 How TranscriptionFactors are Regulated to Control Complex Promoters Lecture 10 How TranscriptionFactors are Regulated to Control Complex Promoters Lecture 11 RNA Processing Lecture 12 RNA Processing Lecture -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment tasks Type of Assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle Outcome being assessed Practical report summative 15 no 4, 5, 6 PBL report summative 15 no 4, 5, 6 Online tests summative 5 no 1, 2 Exam summative 65 no 1, 2, 3 Assessment Related Requirements
Attendance and active participation at all practicals is mandatoryAssessment Detail
End of semester written Exam (65% of total course grade): 3 hour examination covering the lecture material. It is made up of a mixture of short and long answer type questions.
Practical write up (15% of total course grade): The six week long practical exercise will includeexperimental work, keeping an up to date laboratory notebook, 1 oral presentation and the submission of a final practical report. The oral presentation is 10-15 minutes, cover the research performed in the practical, and performed in small groups in week 6. Students receive feedback throughout the semester on laboratory performance and keeping of laboratory notebooks,immediately after the oral presentation, and on the final report. Outstanding students may have the option of a laboratory-based research project in place of the practical exercise.
PBL, final six weeks of the semester: (15% of total course grade): A specialised set of Problem Based Learning (PBL)/Tutorial exercises, are designed to provide students with a perspective of how cutting edge biomedical science principles and techniques are applied to major research questions. Thiswill illustrate that cross disciplinary approaches are essential in modern biomedical science research.
Online exercises: Three multiple choice tests in weeks 4, 8 and 12 (5% of total course grade). Encourages revision of the material soon after the relevant lectures, and immediate feedback provided to students.Submission
No information currently available.
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.
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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.
Provision of Feedback to Students
The assessor usually provides appropriate feedback of assessment tasks to the student by means of
written comments. The student has the opportunity to directly liaise with the assessor to obtain additional feedback and clarification if required. -
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
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