BIOTECH 7000 - Advanced Research Platforms

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

This course will introduce students to the theoretical aspects and practical applications of the major research platforms currently used in biomedical research. The topics covered include: genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, protein purification, flow cytometry, antibody engineering, RNA interference, computational biotechnology, imaging and fermentation technology. Lectures are supplemented with tutorials and workshop sessions. The lecture series is delivered alongside the complementary course: Advanced Technology Techniques, which exposes students to the practical aspects of the platform technologies.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code BIOTECH 7000
    Course Advanced Research Platforms
    Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Assumed Knowledge BIOCHEM 2500, MICRO 2500 or equivalent
    Restrictions Available to Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology (Biomedical), Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology (Biomedical), Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) and Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) (Advanced) students only
    Course Description This course will introduce students to the theoretical aspects and practical applications of the major research platforms currently used in biomedical research. The topics covered include: genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, protein purification, flow cytometry, antibody engineering, RNA interference, computational biotechnology, imaging and fermentation technology. Lectures are supplemented with tutorials and workshop sessions.
    The lecture series is delivered alongside the complementary course: Advanced Technology Techniques, which exposes students to the practical aspects of the platform technologies.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Alistair Standish

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 Equip students with skills to identify appropriate current research platforms used in biomedical science, and apply them to specific research objectives.
    2 Provide a strong core knowledge base to underpin research and commercial activities that
    comprise biotechnology, with a focus on biomedical science.
    3 Provide students with transferable skills in critical thinking and analytical methods.
    4 Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of current research platforms in the field of biomedical science, and their contribution to the rapid growth and success of this area.
    5 Ability to critically analyse, interpret and present information in the scientific literature in the field of biomedical science.
    6 Demonstrate the skills to critically assess emerging technologies and their application to areas of biomedical research.
    7 Develop essential research skills in a broad range of areas in biomedical science.
    8 Develop an understanding of key research platforms that underpin biomedical science and biotechnology.
    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, 4, 6, 7, 8

    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, 5, 6, 7

    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.

    1, 3, 5, 6, 8

    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, 5, 6, 7, 8

    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, 6, 8

    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.

    1, 5, 6, 8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    No specific text book is required. A manual outlining lecture topics and reference lists will be
    provided.
    Suggested reading lists, journal articles, web sites and databases will also be provided as a basis for tutorial discussions and workshop assignments.
    Online Learning
    MyUni is an essential resource for this course and it is important for students to login regularly to check on important course-related announcements and material.

    Students will find the following on MyUni:

    All lectures are recorded 

    All lecture notes

    Tutorial papers 

    The Discussion Board 


  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures
    Two 50 minute lectures per week with a total of 18 lectures over the semester which are recorded for MyUni.

    Tutorials
    Six 2 hour tutorials over the semester.

    Workshops
    Five 4 hour workshops over the semester.
    Workload

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

    A student enrolled in this 3 unit course, should expect to spend, up to 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required for the course (e.g., lectures, tutorials and workshop), as well as non-contact time (e.g., lecture revision and tutorial preparation).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Lecture Content:
    The lectures cover the following areas: Introduction to Biotechnology and Biotechnology Research Platforms such as: molecular biology techniques including recombinant DNA and synthetic biology techniques; genomics, cell culture and cell based technologies, proteomics, protein structure determination techniques, and commercial biotechnology platforms.

    Tutorials:
    Tutorials are based on publications relating to the topics covered in lectures.

    Workshops:
    Workshops cover use of molecular biology databases, creation of bibliographies, and a bioinformatics assignment.

  • 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
    For off shore students modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching
    Assessment Task Task Type Percentage of total assessment for grading Hurdle Learning Outcome
    Tutorial presentation Formative and Summative

    40%

    No 2, 3, 5, 8
    Workshop assignment Formative 20% No 2, 4, 7, 8
    Written exam Formative 40% No 2, 3, 8
    Assessment Detail
    For off shore students modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching.

    Tutorial/workshop participation (5%) will be changed – rather than participation in tutorials and workshops, marks will be based on questions that are submitted on papers that students read for the tutorials.

    Tutorial presentation:

    Each student will give two oral tutorial presentations based on published research articles relating to lecture topics over the semester. The contribution of each student to tutorial discussions is also assessed for the remaining four tutorials.


    Workshop assignment:
    Students will complete a Bioinformatics assignment based on a number of set exercises.

    Final written Examination:
    A three hour exam covering lecture material only is held during the June/July examination period.

    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.