MBT355 Bioinformatics

What is this course about?

Description

This course will introduce you the principles and key concepts of bioinformatics and will start with basics about DNA, RNA and protein, then progress to databases, sequence alignments, evolutionary history reconstruction, genome annotation, and analysis of gene and protein expression. Systems biology, linux system and programming will also be introduced. Computer-based labs will provide you hands-on experience with databases and bioinformatics tools, and develop your skills in the analysis of biological data.

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

LFS252 or SCI212 or BIM202

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Basic knowledge in genetics and molecular biology and basic computer skills

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback will be provided in Weeks 1-4 in the practical reports. 

Assessment tasks

150 words

2000 words

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 Course introduction; DNA, RNA and protein

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 2 DNA sequencing technology, data generation and quality assessment

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 3 Molecular biology databases

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 4 Sequence alignment

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 5 Revealing genome features

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 6 Human genome analysis

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 7 Protein secondary structure

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 8 Protein tertiary structures

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 9 Protein - from structure to function

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 10 Gene and protein expression analysis

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 11 Systems biology

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 12 Linux system and programming

Learning materials, Computer lab practical

Week 13 Revision and exam prep

Seminar

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.

Specific requirements

Nil

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

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment 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: 

• UniSC Student Central
• UniSC Adelaide Student Central