BIOCHEM 2510 - Advanced Molecular Biology IIA
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2016
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code BIOCHEM 2510 Course Advanced Molecular Biology IIA Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 6 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites BIOLOGY 1101/1101ND or BIOLOGY 1401, & BIOLOGY 1201, 6 units of Level I Chemistry Corequisites CHEM 2510 or CHEM 2101 Restrictions Available to B Sc (Molecular Biology) students only Assessment Tutorial and practical assessments Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Dan Peet
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 To understand key principles of how cells work, including gene regulation, protein synthesis and signal transduction 2 To locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide
variety of sources to understand the key principles of Molecular Biology3 To read, interpret and discuss major contributions to Molecular Biology research published in scientific research literature 4 To develop effective, creative and innovative solutions, both
independently and cooperatively, to current and future research problems
in Molecular Biology5 To foster intellectual curiosity in Molecular Biology and related fields that extends well beyond the course 6 To develop an understanding of the observational and experimental
character of science, including an appreciation of the need for good
experimental design and scientific research practices7 To develop practical laboratory skills, generate raw experimental data,
and work safely and efficiently in a molecular biology laboratory8 To critically analyse and interpret raw and published experimental data within the limitations of experimental design 9 To communicate using recognised scientific communication frameworks such as written reports and open discussion 10 To value the close relationship between scientific research, the development of new knowledge, and potential application
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)
1,2,3,8 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
3,4,6,8 Teamwork and communication skills
- developed from, with, and via the SGDE
- honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
- encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
7,9 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
5,10 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
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Access to major scientific research journals in the field of Molecular Biology (available through the University of Adelaide Library).
Specific reading material provided electronically before each tutorial and practical.
Recommended Resources
The use of TURNITIN as an educational tool to assist with tutorial reports.Online Learning
MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/). -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
We encourage students to see the rewards from a science education and to become critical thinkers, with a focus on problem-based learning exercises and curiosity-driven tutorials in small groups, covering interdisciplinary topics from invited experts within the University of Adelaide, and close contact with senior researchers. Discussion and enquiry at all levels is actively encouraged, and written reports are used to provide both formative and summative feedback for each of the tutorials and practicals. We try to stimulate interest, independent, self-driven learning and understanding, and critical thinking in order to promote lifelong learning that is beneficial to students, sought by employers and implicit within the University’s Graduate Attributes.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
(tutorials and practicals), as well as non-contact time (reading/research before and after each tutorial).Learning Activities Summary
Week Type of learning activity Topic 1 Tutorial or other activity Introductory
tutorial on molecular biology research3 Tutorial or other activity Molecular
Biology Research Tutorial 15 Tutorial or other activity Molecular
Biology Research Tutorial 28 Tutorial or other activity Molecular
Biology Research Tutorial 310 Tutorial or other activity Molecular
Biology Research Tutorial 413 Practical Recombinant protein expression Small Group Discovery Experience
The practical exercise will involve a small group of students being given a current research question to address experimentally. The research question will come from an active research program within the laboratory of the academic staff member running the practical. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the research question with the expert researcher, plan and then perform the experimental strategy to address the research question under their guidance, analyse and interpret the results, and then write a short report on the findings in a scientific format. -
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 Task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle (Yes/No) Learning Outcome 4 tutorial reports Formative/ Summative 80%
No 1-6, 9-10 Pratical report Formative/ Summative 20% No 4-10 Assessment Related Requirements
Compulsory attendance of tutorials and practicals.Assessment Detail
Tutorial reports due two weeks after each tutorial, and are assessed by tutors using rubric (posted on MyUni under course information). Each of four tutorial reports worth 20% of final grade. Written feedback and mark provided within 2-3 weeks of submission of each tutorial.
Practical: One practical, with report and performance/participation marked by demonstrator, worth 20% of final grade. Written feedback and mark provided within 2-3 weeks of submission of practical
report.
Submission
All tutorial and practical reports submitted electronically on MyUni through TURNITIN.
Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/mod_arrange.html
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 report for each calendar day that the report 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 report 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.
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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.
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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.
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.
