ANIML SC 7043RW - Animal Biotechnology

Roseworthy Campus - Summer - 2024

The application of biotechnology to animals will be examined. Challenges facing the intensive and extensive livestock industries, equine and companion animals, and wildlife management and conservation, will be discussed and debated in the context of biotechnologies that may be applied. The contribution of biotechnology to laboratory animal models for human and animal disease, and the use of biotechnology for animal related issues such as disease control and biosecurity will be considered. The integration of these technologies to improve animal production, health and welfare will be explored. A range of genetic, immunological and reproductive technologies will be introduced with some practical exposure.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANIML SC 7043RW
    Course Animal Biotechnology
    Coordinating Unit School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    Term Summer
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 7 hours per day over a 2 week intensive. Assignments and the exam are completed the following week.
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Incompatible ANIML SC 3043RW
    Assumed Knowledge BIOLOGY 1101 & BIOLOGY 1202 & ANIML SC 2503RW
    Restrictions Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) and Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) (Advanced)
    Assessment Participation, debate, exam, practical reports, written assignment
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Karen Kind

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Describe the limitations and challenges facing the animal industries and disciplines
    2 Describe the biotechnologies available for application in industries or disciplines that involve animals
    3 Critically analyse and evaluate the potential applications of current or developing biotechnologies to these animal related fields
    4 Evaluate and discuss public and ethical concerns over the use of animal biotechnology
    5 Critically analyse, evaluate, and integrate information from scientific data and literature
    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

    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.

    1, 3

    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.

    5

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1, 2, 3, 4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    4

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    2, 3

    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, 5
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Ten days of lecture, tutorials and practicals, with an average of 6-7 hours contact per day.

    The course is scheduled for 3 weeks, to allow time in the third week to complete the assessment tasks and prepare for, and sit, the 3 hour exam.
    Workload

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

    This course consists of 2 weeks of intensive lecture / tutorial / practical sessions. In addition, a student enrolled in the course should expect an equivalent non-contact time for reading, revision and preparation of assessment items.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Lectures will introduce a range of biotechnologies relevant to the animal industries, including gene editing, stem cell therapies, vaccine technology, reproductive technologies, somatic cell nuclear transfer, DNA technologies, protein technologies and bioinformatics.

    Lectures and tutorials will consider challenges facing the animal industries and the potential current or developing biotechnology solutions to these problems.

    Practical topics will include DNA Diagnostics, the use of ELISAs for protein diagnostics, cell culture and bioinformatics.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance at practical classes is compulsory.  Students who do not attend a practical class, and do not have an approved absence, will not be able to submit the practical report associated with the practical.  Practical reports contribute 25% of the 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
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Hurdle? Learning Outcome Due
    Tutorial contribution / Participation Formative and summative 10% No 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Throughout the 2 weeks
    Debate Formative and summative 10% No 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 End of week 2
    Practical reports Formative and summative 40% No 2, 3, 5 Weeks 2 and 3
    Final Exam Summative 40% No 1, 2, 3, 4 Exam week
    End of week 3
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Attendance at practical classes is compulsory. Students who do not attend a practical class, and do not have an approved absence, will not be able to submit the practical report associated with the practical.
    Assessment Detail
    Tutorial contribution / Participation (10% of total grade)
    Students will receive a mark based upon their active contribution to tutorial activities and discussion. Tutorials will take the format of discovery learning based on content covered in the course, discussion of industry problems and potential solutions, or revision and review of course content. Students will also be required to submit suggested exam questions each day of the course (9 days); based on the content covered in lectures, tutorials and practicals on the previous day, and

    Debate (10% of total grade)
    Students will be assigned a debate topic based on the use of biotechnology in the animal industries. Students will be assessed based on their critical evaluation of the topic during the debate and rebuttal, contribution to general discussion and their assessment of other debate topics.

    Practical reports (40% of the total grade)
    Students will submit answer sheets and/or written reports related to three practical activities. Practical activities in the course are completed across a series of practical sessions. Practical 1 requires completion of short answer questions, and analysis and interpretation of practical results presented in a summary table.

    Practical 1 requires completion of short answer questions and a written activity and short presentation based on application of the techniques learnt in the practical, and discussion of the application of these techniques to virus identification and/or vaccine development.

    Practical 3 requires critical analysis, evaluation and interpretation of experimental results, and a write-up in the format of a short journal article.

    Each report is due at the end of the appropriate week of the course.


    Final Exam (40% of the total grade)
    Students will sit a 3 hr final exam that will cover theoretical and practical topics from the course, and will include short and long answer questions.
    Submission
    Late submission
    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 the assignment 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 late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment
    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

    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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.