LFS252 Molecular Biology

What is this course about?

Description

You will study the basic principles of molecular biology by discovering the interplay of molecules that underpin life and enable genetic engineering, biotechnology and bioinformatics and synthetic biology fields. You will understand concepts relating to DNA structure, the genetic code, replication, and repair; and how RNA is transcribed, regulated, and functions within cells. You will also understand how proteins are translated, folded, and their myriad functions and perform key molecular techniques including PCR, cloning, sequencing, and protein production.

How will this course be delivered?

Course Topics

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

LFS100 or (LFS103 and enrolled in Program SE303, AE304, SC355, SC357 or SC354)

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Basic understanding of cell biology.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

Details of early feedback on progress

Students perform formative laboratory quizzes based on the lab content, and automatically receive their results the following week in Grade Centre. In addition, tutorials are provided every two weeks (beginning week 3), where students work through written exam-like questions and are provided face-to-face feedback on their answers in a group discussion.

Assessment tasks

8-10 Short answer questions (worth a total of 20 marks each time) in 1 hour

90 minutes

2 hours

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

Schedule

Week 1

Content: Molecular biology an overview, Central Dogma and DNA structure, Inspiring examples of the usefulness of Molecular biology
Tutorial: Questions related to Week 1

Week 2

Content: DNA: The Genetic code, DNA replication & PCR
Laboratory: Basic skills, genomic DNA extraction, PCR, amplicon purification

Week 3

Content: Eukaryotic DNA replication, DNA repair and recombination
Tutorial: Questions related to Weeks 2-3

Week 4

Content: Mobile genetic elements, recombinant DNA technology, Applications and ethics of genetic engineering and biotechnology
Laboratory: TA cloning/BW

Week 5

Content: Transcription and regulation prokaryotes
Tutorial: Questions related to Weeks 4-5

Week 6

Content: Transcription and regulation of gene expression – Eukaryotes
Laboratory: Cloning into TA expression vectors. Theory of Blue-white selection

Week 7

Content: Mid-semester exam
Tutorial: Questions related to Weeks 6-7

Week 8

Content: Introduction to noncoding RNAs (RNAi, short RNAs), Functional RNAs
Laboratory: Sequencing

Week 9

Content: Proteins: mechanisms of translation and synthesis
Tutorial: Questions related to Weeks 8-9

Week 10

Content: Proteins: understanding structure and function
Laboratory: Proteins: PAGE

Week 11

Content: Omics I: Genomic, bioinformatics and proteomics
Tutorial: Questions related to Weeks 10-11

Week 12

Content: Omics II: Genomic, bioinformatics and proteomics 
Laboratory: Proteins: WB

Week 13

Content: Course synthesis and exam preparation
Tutorial: Questions related to Weeks 12-13

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Specific requirements

Laboratory coat, safety glasses, closed in footwear in laboratories.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate (the rates are cumulative): 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day 
- 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. 
To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

• Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
• Review of Assessment and Final Grades
• Supplementary Assessment
• Central Examinations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Conduct
• Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

• In person:
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• Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
• Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au