GENETICS 3520 - Gene Expression & Hum & Dev Genetics (Theory) III

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

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.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GENETICS 3520
    Course Gene Expression & Hum & Dev Genetics (Theory) III
    Coordinating Unit School of Molecular and Biomedical Sci(Inactive)
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 40 hours per week
    Prerequisites GENETICS 2150 & GENETICS 2520
    Corequisites SCIENCE 3100
    Incompatible GENETICS 3211, GENETICS 3212 & GENETICS 3210
    Restrictions Available to B.Sc (Advanced) students only
    Assessment Exam and essay
    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
    The course aims to give students a level of understanding of concepts and experimental techniques in the areas of gene regulation, developmental genetics and human genetics that would enable them to develop competencies expected of a university graduate in Genetics. The course cannot hope to cover comprehensively the very broad range of research questions in these areas but it will give students understanding of specific exemplary questions and provide them with knowledge of how they can extend their learning as required by future studies and employment.

    The anticipated knowledge, skills and/or attitudes to be developed by the student are:

    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 conceptual framework 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 Demonstrable insight into how research in any one of the above three areas frequently relies on concepts derived from, and research in, the other areas
    5 Comprehension of scientific research data described in peer-reviewed journals
    6 The ability to extract relevant information from literature databases and to present it in essay 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)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1,2,3,4,5,6
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 5, 6
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 6
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 5, 6
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 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)

    Lecture theatres and tutorial rooms

    Access to University Library

    Access to computers and internet

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Every week there will be three lectures with tutorials held, on average, every second week to assist in understanding and revision of the lecture materials. For the first seven weeks of the semester there will also be work required on a Literature Review.
    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 (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 Lecture Developmental Neurogenetics
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Work on Literature Review
    2 Lecture Developmental Neurogenetics
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Developmental Neurogenetics and work on Literature Review
    3 Lecture Developmental Neurogenetics / Regulation of Gene Expression
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Work on Literature Review
    4 Lecture Regulation of Gene Expression
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Developmental Neurogenetics and work on Literature Review
    5 Lecture Regulation of Gene Expression
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Regulation of Gene Expression and work on Literature Review
    6 Lecture Regulation of Gene Expression
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Work on Literature Review
    7 Lecture Plant Developmental Genetics
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Regulation of Gene Expression and work on Literature Review
    8 Lecture Epigenetics
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Plant Developmental Genetics
    Mid Semester Break None
    9 Lecture Epigenetics / Human Genetics
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Epigenetics
    10 Lecture Human Genetics
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Human Genetics
    11 Lecture Human Genetics
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity None
    12 Lecture Human Genetics
    Practical None
    Tutorial or other activity Human Genetics
    13* Lecture
    Practical
    Tutorial or other activity
  • 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
    Final Examination Summative 70% No 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Literature review and Presentation Summative/Formative 30% No 1or 2 or 3 and 4 and 5 and 6
    Assessment Detail
    Literature review and presentation (30% of course grade, Learning Outcomes 1 or 2 or 3 and 4 and 5 and 6) Students must provide a comprehensive literature review (~5000 words not counting references and figure legends) on current knowledge of the function of a particular gene or on another issue in genetics as specified by the course convenor. At the end of week 3 of the semester they will be expected to submit to the course coordinator by email a summary of their preliminary plans for the structure of the essay, i.e. essay title and a list of subheadings. Feedback by email on the suitability of this structure will be provided to the students within one week. Students are assessed on the content and delivery (in written form) of the information in the final essay. This must be submitted by the end of week 7 so that assessment feedback can be provided by the end of the mid-semester break.

    Final examination (70% of course grade, Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). 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
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