Course Outline

MBT352 Molecular Biotechnology

Course Coordinator:Volker Herzig (vherzig@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Trimester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

MBT352 been designed to provide students with knowledge of the scientific principles and techniques that underpin molecular biotechnology, and how these techniques are applied using real world examples. Topics covered include manipulation of DNA, cloning DNA into bacteria, plants and animals, expression of recombinant proteins, and modification of genomes. The ethics of molecular biotechnology are also covered.  

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Asynchronous learning material 2hrs Week 1 12 times
Laboratory 1 – Laboratories will be used to demonstrate key concepts in Molecular biotechnology. Each laboratory will be two hours in length. The preferred format for these laboratories is face to face. However COVID-19 restrictions may result in an altered delivery format and schedule. 3hrs Week 2 6 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Computer based tutorials will be used for students to learn how to design and analyse and utilise bioinformatic data. 2hrs Week 1 6 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Online live lectorial sessions will be used to reinforce key concepts and applications described in other parts of the course. 1hr Week 1 2 times

Course Topics

Major themes that will be covered include: 
•genetic manipulation of bacteria, plants and animals, including humans 
•protein biotechnology 
•medical biotechnology 
•plant and animal biotechnology 
•ethical and social implications of molecular biotechnology    
 
The laboratory component of the course will equip students will technical and analytical skills used in this discipline. These will include: 
•PCR, nucleotide sequencing and analysis 
•Protein expression and purification 
•Forensic biology 
•Molecular diagnostics 
•Advanced Microscopy 
•Aquacultural biotechnology 

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Design, describe and critically review strategies for cloning DNA, the production of genetically modified organisms, and expression and purification of recombinant proteins. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
2 Describe and analyse how molecular biotechnology is applied in different settings, using real world examples. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
3 Synthesise, discuss and critically analyse ethical and societal issues surrounding biotechnology. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Ethical
4 Demonstrate practical and analytical skills in relation to laboratory and bioinformatical techniques. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker

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

(LFS252 or BIM202) or enrolled in Biotechnology Minor

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Understanding of basic concepts in molecular biology and biochemistry as taught in prerequisite units

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

You will sit a formative multiple choice exam in week 4. This exam will cover content covered in the course that point. Feedback on the correct answers, with relevance to the final exam, will be provided.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Quiz/zes Individual 30%
30min each
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) To be Negotiated
All 2 Oral Individual or Group 30%
7-15 min
Refer to Format In Class
All 3 Report Individual 40%
2500 words
Week 11 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Quizz(es)
Goal:
Quizzes will be used to assess student knowledge and demonstrate ability to apply this knowledge in scenarios relevant to Biotechnology
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format:
In class submission
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
You will demonstrate your knowledge of course content and ability to solve problems using biotechnological principles.
1 2 3 4
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Oral Seminar presentation
Goal:
Describe how biotechnology is or can be used to address contemporary issue or challenge in science, medicine, agricultural or any other industry.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will work as a group or individual to prepare and deliver an oral presentation with accompanying figures to describe how biotechnology is or can be applied to address a current issue or challenge. 

Detailed instruction for the presentation will be provided in course materials (eg CANVAS). 

Visual materials will be submitted prior to commencement of oral presentations.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Mastery of the subject matter presented
1 2
2
Ability to answer questions that demonstrate a higher order understanding of key concepts covered in the seminar
1 2 3
3
Oral presentation skills
1 2
4
Quality and appropriateness of visual aids
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Research proposal
Goal:
Prepare and submit a research proposal that describes a current issue or problem and the
application of biotechnological technique to solve or provide insight or to this issue.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format:
The research proposal will be written as a cohesive 2500 word document, containing the following sections: Project Title, Project Summary, Background. Research Aims. Research Plan, Expected or actual Outcomes, Significance of the Research, Potential limitations and/or alternatives, References.

Full details will be provided in course materials.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Mastery of the subject matter presented
1 2
2
Ability to interpret, synthesise and present information from multiple sources
2 3
3
Overall report presentation
1 2
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy

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.

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

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended Bernard R. Glick,Cheryl L. Patten 2017 Molecular Biotechnology Fifth edition ASM Press

Specific requirements

Students are required to comply with laboratory safety rules.

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all laboratory classes and a moderate level of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks are those associated with laboratory work such as working with chemicals and hazardous substances. You will be required to undertake laboratory induction training and it is also your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff

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

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

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 submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

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

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: