PLANT SC 7126WT - Techniques in Plant Biotechnology

Waite Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course involves teaching sessions that may be attended by both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students. Recent advances in techniques for gene discovery and analysis have revolutionised the options available for the investigation of plant development, responses to disease and abiotic stresses and to engineer plants with new properties. This course will provide an opportunity for students to learn and try out key new methods for plant genomics and biotechnology. This will include techniques for transcript profiling using microarrays and quantitative PCR, the use of large insert DNA libraries and genetic data for positional cloning, metabolomics and proteomics including protein modelling, in situ localisation of mRNA and proteins, new methods for plant transformation and a range of bioinformatics tools and applications that underpin the various techniques. The bioinformatics component will also teach students how to use key genomics databases and resources.

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Course Details

Course Code	PLANT SC 7126WT
Course	Techniques in Plant Biotechnology
Coordinating Unit	School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	Waite Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 11 hours per week for 6 weeks
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Assumed Knowledge	PLANT SC 7225WT & PLANT SC 7226WT
Restrictions	Available to GradCertBiotech, GradDipBiotech & MBiotech students only
Assessment	Practical reports

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Rachel Burton

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

A successful student will be able to:

1	make decisions about the most appropriate methods for use in gene discovery and anlaysis.
2	become familiar with databases and bioinformatics tools available for genomics and biotechnology research.
3	develop skills in a wide range of genomics and biotechnology methods.
4	understand the latest technological developments and ways in which they can be used.
5	apply their knowledge to practical problems in plant biotechnology. cooperate and work effectively as a member of a team to solve problems

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.	3,4
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1,2,3
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1,2,3,4,5
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	3
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1,2,3,4,5
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	3,4
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	4,5
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	3,4,5

Learning Resources

Recommended Resources

Communication

Cargill M and Bellotti M (2004) Written Communication in the Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, The University of Adelaide.

http://www.agwine.adelaide.edu.au/students/external/carwripg1.pdf

If you are looking for ideas on how University life is visit:

http://www.qutic.qut.edu.au/about/projects.jsp

Visit http://www.usyd.edu.au/learningcentre/wrise/ to see how to write reports

Recommended Textbooks (please also see the recommended reading list in the program booklet)

Buchanan B, Gruissem W, Jones R (2000) Biochemistry & molecular biology of plants.

Rockville,Md.: American Society of Plant Physiologists.

Glick B (2003) Molecular biotechnology: principles and applications of recombinant DNA

Taiz L, Zeiger E (2002) Plant physiology. Sunderland, Mass: Sinauer Associates.

Nath P et al (2003) Molecular insight in plant biology. Enfield Science Publishers.

Trigiano RN, Gray DJ (2005) Plant development and biotechnology.

Chrispeels M, Sadava D (2003) Plants, Genes, and Crop Biotechnology

Smith AM et al (2010) Plant Biology

You may also find the following website useful for preliminary information on some aspects of plant science: http://www.plantcell.org/teachingtools/teaching.dtl

‘Plants in Action’, published by the Australian Society of Plant Scientists is also available online at http://plantsinaction.science.uq.edu.au/edition1/ and in the library

A glossary of terms will also be available on MyUni.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course relies heavily on the current expertise of the teaching staff and the research that is being undertaken in the ARC Centre of excellence in Plant cell walls. Reference material will be provided where appropriate.

Workload

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

A full-time student should expect to spend, on average, a total of 48 hours per week on their studies. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g. lectures, tutorials, practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g. reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

This course will provide an opportunity for students to learn and try out key new methods for plant genomics and biotechnology. This will include techniques for transcript profiling using microarrays and quantitative PCR, the use of large insert DNA libraries and genetic data for positional cloning, metabolomics and proteomics including protein modelling, in situ localisation of mRNA and proteins, new methods for plant transformation and a range of bioinformatics tools and applications that underpin the various techniques. The bioinformatics component will also teach students how to use key genomics databases and resources.

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 will be by written laboratory reports based on the practical work undertaken.

There are four reports required;

Week 1 = 20%

Week 2 = 20%

Weeks 3, 4, 5 = 40%

Week 6 = 20%

Due dates for the reports will be announced by the lecturer responsible for that practical unit.

Assessment Detail

Assessment will be by written laboratory reports based on the practical work undertaken.

There are four reports required;

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
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator