AGRIC 2510WT - Agricultural Genetics II

Waite Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

This course provides an advanced introduction to genetics with examples and applications relevant to the areas of agricultural science and viticulture and oenology. Three main modules will be considered; i) Mendelian Inheritance ii) Molecular Genetics and iii) Population and Quantitative Genetics with topics including genomes and gene structure, modes of inheritance, recombination and linkage, gene expression and control, population genetics, selection and inbreeding and breeding for plants and animals. The role and impact of new and advancing technologies on the field of genetics will also be investigated.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code AGRIC 2510WT
    Course Agricultural Genetics II
    Coordinating Unit School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Waite Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites BIOLOGY 1101/1101ND or BIOLOGY 1401 or BIOLOGY 1001, & BIOLOGY 1202 or 2 semesters of first year Biology
    Restrictions Available to Bachelor of Viticulture & Oenology & Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences students only
    Course Description This course provides an advanced introduction to genetics with examples and applications relevant to the areas of agricultural science and viticulture and oenology. Three main modules will be considered; i) Mendelian Inheritance ii) Molecular Genetics and iii) Population and Quantitative Genetics with topics including genomes and gene structure, modes of inheritance, recombination and linkage, gene expression and control, population genetics, selection and inbreeding and breeding for plants and animals. The role and impact of new and advancing technologies on the field of genetics will also be investigated.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Karina Riggs

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1 Explain the processes of meiosis and recombination and how Mendel’s Laws underpin the way that genes are inherited including different modes of inheritance.
    2 Understand the structure of eukaryotic genes and how gene expression can be controlled or measured through the use of techniques such as PCR.
    3 Explain the relationship between environment, genotypes and phenotypes and understand how to measure and predict changes in populations.
    4 Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in a team for Team Based Learning exercises and group assessment tasks.
    5 Demonstrate competence in practical skills and techniques commonly used in genetic research and analysis. This includes preparation of reagents and use of scientific equipment to collect data for interpretation, analysis and presentation.
    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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    4,5

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    4,5

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    4
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course comprises Lectures, Tutorials and/or Workshops and Practicals.
    Workload

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

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures, workshops tutorials & practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., pre-class preparation, post-class assessments, reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    The course comprises 3 modules, Mendelian Genetics (weeks 1-4), Population and Quantitative Genetics  (weeks 5-8) and  Molecular Genetics (weeks 9-12)

    Lectures cover a range of topics including; Genomes and gene structure, genetic crosses and modes of inheritance, recombination and linkage analysis, gene structure, gene expression and control, modern molecular techniques, population genetics, selection and inbreeding and quantitative genetics.

    The tutorials/workshops include working in teams on case studies relevant to real life scenarios encountered in the agriculture and wine industries, exam revision and planning for the major group assessment task.

    Practicals link to the theory covered in lectures and tutorials and provide hands-on experience using equipment commonly used in the field of genetics and molecular biology and computer simulations to model populations. Practical topics include; chromosome structure and meiosis, DNA technologies including Genetic Modification and computer-based simulations on population genetics.

    Individual tests are conducted at the end of each module to test understanding of concepts. The tests are combined with application exercises to apply knowledge to problems which are solved in teams.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance at practical laboratory classes are compulsory and contribute 30% towards the final course grade.
  • 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
    Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching.
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Hurdle? Learning Outcome
    Practical reports Formative & Summative

    Weeks 5,9,13

    30% No 5
    Workshops Summative Weeks 4,8,12 30% No 1,2,3
    Group Video Summative Semester Break 10% No 4
    Exam Summative Exam period 30% Yes 1,2,3
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Hurdle Requirements

    Students must acheive at least 40% in the Exam component to pass the course.
    Assessment Detail
    The Assessment is broken down into Exam (30%) and Non-Exam (70%) components.

    Practical Reports (Total weightings 30%): 
    Students will undertake a 3 x 3 hr practical sessions. Each will be assessed  (10% each) using a variety of methods including written practical reports, a poster, short answers, calculations, graphs and MCQs.

    Workshops (Total weighting 30%):
    In the 3 x 3 hour workshops, students will work in groups (in break out rooms), they will answer questions together and hand up questions for assessment (3 x 10%)

    Group Video (Total weighting 10%):
    Students create a 5-7 minute Video in teams on the use of genetics and DNA biotechnologies in agriculture, viticulture and oenology or medical science and address questions on their topic.

    Final exam (Total weighting 30%):
    The 3 hour exam will aim to test students in all areas covered by the course, including those areas previously covered in the TBL tests. Students will need to achieve at least 40% in the final exam to pass the course.
    Submission

    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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