GENETICS 3212 - Gene Expression & Hum Devel Genetics (Biomed) III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2017

The material taught in this courses is organised around the theme of genes ? how genes function and their roles in development and disease. The aim is to give students an appreciation, at an advanced level, of the mechanisms that control gene expression, the genetic determination of developmental pathways, the various types of human genetic mutation that lead to disease and the pathogenic pathways from genotype to phenotype. The practical component of the course will extend students? familiarity with various laboratory and/or analytical techniques used in human, developmental or other areas of genetics. Eligible students will be placed in a research laboratory to perform a project involving both laboratory and scientific literature research or will do a mixture of group laboratory-based small research projects with literature research/essay/oral presentation tasks.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GENETICS 3212
    Course Gene Expression & Hum Devel Genetics (Biomed) III
    Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 18 hours per fortnight
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites GENETICS 2510 & GENETICS 2520 or equivalent
    Incompatible GENETICS 3211, GENETICS 3210 & GENETICS 3520
    Restrictions Available to BSc(BiomedSc) students only
    Course Description The material taught in this courses is organised around the theme of genes ? how genes function and their roles in development and disease. The aim is to give students an appreciation, at an advanced level, of the mechanisms that control gene expression, the genetic determination of developmental pathways, the various types of human genetic mutation that lead to disease and the pathogenic pathways from genotype to phenotype. The practical component of the course will extend students? familiarity with various laboratory and/or analytical techniques used in human, developmental or other areas of genetics. Eligible students will be placed in a research laboratory to perform a project involving both laboratory and scientific literature research or will do a mixture of group laboratory-based small research projects with literature research/essay/oral presentation tasks.
    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
    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 conceptualframework 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)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    4, 5, 6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    4, 5, 6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    4, 5, 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 genetics/molecular biology laboratory  practical work. These are supplied by lecturer/s 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 including a portable internet-capable device during workshops

    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:

    “Pre-workshop” material in the form of pre-recorded lectures or assigned reading material etc. 10 hours per week (includes revision of delivered material.)

    4 workshops of 1 hour each per week. Each week will include one 20 minute in-workshop summative test.

    72 hours of laboratory/other practical work per semester.

    Workload

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

    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 Pre-Workshop Material Developmental Neurogenetics
    Workshop Developmental Neurogenetics
    Practical Placement or Developmental Genetics Practical
    2 Pre-Workshop Material Developmental Neurogenetics
    Workshop Developmental Neurogenetics
    Practical Placement or Developmental Genetics Practical
    3 Pre-Workshop Material Developmental Neurogenetics
    Workshop Developmental Neurogenetics
    Practical Placement or Developmental Genetics Practical
    4 Pre-Workshop Material Developmental Genetics
    Workshop Developmental Genetics
    Practical Placement or Developmental Genetics Practical
    5 Pre-Workshop Material Regulation of Gene Expression / Epigenetics
    Workshop Regulation of Gene Expression / Epigenetics
    Practical Placement or Focus Genetic Disease literature review
    6 Pre-Workshop Material Regulation of Gene Expression / Epigenetics
    Lecture Regulation of Gene Expression / Epigenetics
    Practical Placement or Focus Genetic Disease literature review
    7 Pre-Workshop Material Regulation of Gene Expression / Epigenetics and Cancer Genetics
    Workshop Regulation of Gene Expression / Epigenetics and Cancer Genetics
    Practical Placement or Focus Genetic Disease literature review
    8 Pre-Workshop Material Plant Developmental Genetics
    Workshop Plant Developmental Genetics
    Practical Placement or essay on current treatments and future treatment options/possibilities
    Mid Semester Break
    9 Pre-Workshop Material Human Genetics
    Workshop Human Genetics
    Practical Placement or oral presentation of a case study of the focus genetic disease
    10 Pre-Workshop Material Human Genetics
    Workshop Human Genetics
    Practical Placement or oral presentation of a case study of the focus genetic disease
    11 Pre-Workshop Material Human Genetics
    Workshop Human Genetics
    Practical Placement or oral presentation of a case study of the focus genetic disease
    12 Pre-Workshop Material Human Genetics
    Workshop Human Genetics
    Practical End of Placement
    13* Pre-Workshop Material
    Workshop
  • 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
    assessment for grading purposes #



    Hurdle
    Yes or No #
    Outcomes being assessed / achieved
    In-Workshop Tests Formative/Summative 15% No 1, 2, 3, 4
    Final Examination Summative 40% No 1, 2, 3, 4
    For laboratory placement:
    Literature review Formative/Summative 15% No 3, 4, 6
    Research report Summative 20% No 1/2/3, 4, 5 ( “/” = “or” )
    Supervisor assessment Summative 10% No 4, 5
    For Focus Genetic Disease work:
    *Developmental Genetics Laboratory Practical Summative/Formative 15% No 2, 4, 5
    *Literature Review (~2,500 words) on a particular ("Focus") Genetic Disease Formative/Summative 10% No 3, 4, 6
    *Essay (~1,500 words) on current treatments and future treatment options/ possibilities for the Focus Genetic Disease Summative/Formative 10% No 3, 4, 6
    Oral presentation, 10 minutes, on a case study of the Focus Genetic Disease Summative/Formative 10% No 3, 4, 6

    *The order in which the above four practical components will be conducted may vary from year to year.



    Assessment Detail

    For students doing the laboratory placement:

    Literature review for laboratory placement project (15% of course grade, Learning objectives 3,4,6) ~2,500 words and fully referenced on the background to the laboratory project. This is due at the end of the 8th week of the semester. (Formative and summative assessment)

    The course convenor will call for all placement laboratory hosts to interview their students at the end of week 5 to provide feedback to them about how they are progressing in their laboratory work and to discuss progress in writing of the literature review. (Formative assessment, no grade given.)

    Research Report on laboratory placement project (20% of course grade, Learning objectives 1/2/3, 4, 5 [“/” = “or” ]). ~2,000 words (plus figures) describing and discussing the research project results. This is due at the end of the semester. (Summative assessment)

    Supervisor assessment (10% of course grade) of general approach to laboratory work and the skills displayed in the laboratory. (Summative assessment, Learning objectives 4,5)
     
    For students doing Focus Genetic Disease work:

    4 weeks (6 x 4 hour sessions) of Developmental Genetics laboratory practical work (15% of course grade, summative assessment and formative assessment, Learning objectives 2,4,5.)

    Literature review of the focus genetic disease (i.e. of a particular genetic disease, 10% of course grade) ~2,500 words and fully referenced on the background to the focus genetic disease. (Summative and formative assessment, Learning objectives 3,4 6)

    Essay on current treatments and future treatment development options/possibilities for the focus genetic disease (10% of course grade, summative and formative assessment, Learning objectives 3,4 6)

    Oral presentation (Powerpoint) of a case study of the focus genetic disease (10% of course grade, summative and possibly formative assessment*, Learning objectives 3,4 6)
     
    For all students:

    Examinations in workshops (15% of course grade, Learning Objectives 1, 2, 3). The final third of one workshop session per week (any of the four workshop sessions per week) will be devoted to answering a series of questions assessing material in that and previous workshops and the pre-workshop material. This will test and reinforce students’ understanding of the course material. To avoid problems with students occasionally missing workshops, students’ final accumulated mark for these examinations will be made up of their best 8 scores (from the possible 12 examinations). (Formative and summative assessement.)

    Final examination (40% 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.

    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

    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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