CQUniversity Unit Profile
BIOL12106 Molecular Biology
Molecular Biology
All details in this unit profile for BIOL12106 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit focuses on developing an understanding of how genomes are organised, how they function within the cell, how molecular medical treatments can be developed, ways in which we can manipulate genomes and utilise their components for a range of purposes including medical, agricultural, and commercial.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisites ZOOL11005 Foundation Animal Biology or BIOL11100 Functional Biology or BMSC11003 Introduction to Medical Sciences or BMSC11004 Introduction to Biochemistry or BMSC11005 Foundations of Biochemistry or BMED19010 Macromolecules and Cell Function

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2018

Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Examination
Weighting: 60%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations

Feedback

The main theme was that students enjoyed the Unit, particularly in having all the learning materials available from Week 1, and that the Residential School was enjoyable and well organised.

Recommendation

Continue the good work including regular updates to materials.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations

Feedback

The only possible theme for consideration for improvement was from two students who commented they would like some non-graded revision quizzes included.

Recommendation

The inclusion of some non-graded quizzes in the Unit could be considered for next year.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, organisation, utility and isolation of nucleic acids
  2. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the principles of gene cloning and sequencing
  3. Accurately review and evaluate the strategies associated with the transformation of micro-organisms, plants and animals
  4. Demonstrate safe and efficient laboratory skills in molecular biology
  5. Demonstrate knowledge on the applications of molecular biology skills to medical molecular biology
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Examination - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 20%
2 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Examination - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Fundamental Molecular Biology

Edition: 2nd (2012)
Authors: Allison LA
Wiley
Hoboken Hoboken , NJ , USA
ISBN: 9781118059814
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

There are two versions of this text. The Hardback Version and the Binder Ready Version at a slightly lower price. Both are available at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Padraig Strappe Unit Coordinator
p.strappe@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 05 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Introduction to molecular biology (Ch1, p1-15)

Chapter

Online slides & text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 2 Begin Date: 12 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

DNA structure (Ch2 p17-31); replication (Ch6 p121-123); PCR (Ch8 p205-206; Ch9 p245)

Chapter

Online slides & text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 3 Begin Date: 19 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

RNA (Ch3 p39-45) transcription/translation (Fig 11.2 p294)

Chapter

Online slides & text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 4 Begin Date: 26 Mar 2018

Module/Topic

Genome organisation (Ch 5 p91-108)

Chapter

Online slides & text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 Begin Date: 02 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Nucleotide isolation & characterisation, electrophoresis (Ch 8 p215-216)

Chapter

Online slides & text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic


Vacation Week Begin Date: 09 Apr 2018

Module/Topic


Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 6 Begin Date: 16 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Sequencing DNA (Chap 8 p220-223)

Chapter

Online slides & text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 7 Begin Date: 23 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Molecular cloning of DNA (Ch8 p190-199)

Chapter

Online slides and text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School  (26th-28th April),

If this residential school clashes with another subjects residential school, a second identical BIOL12106 Res School will be available in week 10 (17th-19th May)

Week 8 Begin Date: 30 Apr 2018

Module/Topic

Genetically modified organisms (Ch15 p479-509)

Chapter

Online slides and text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic

Essay Due: Week 8 Friday (4 May 2018) 12:00 am AEST
Week 9 Begin Date: 07 May 2018

Module/Topic

Gene therapies (Ch17 p566-579)

Chapter

Online slides and text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 10 Begin Date: 14 May 2018

Module/Topic

High throughput analyses (Ch 16 p529-533)

Chapter

Online slides and text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic

Residential School (17th-19th May)

Identical residential school to week 7 and available to students who cannot attend the Week 7 school 

Week 11 Begin Date: 21 May 2018

Module/Topic

Epigenetics (Ch 12 Summary, P398-400)

Chapter

Online slides and text as indicated

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 12 Begin Date: 28 May 2018

Module/Topic

Human Microbiome Project

Chapter

Online slides and web searches.

Events and Submissions/Topic


Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 04 Jun 2018

Module/Topic


Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Exam Week Begin Date: 11 Jun 2018

Module/Topic


Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Term Specific Information

Attendance at only ONE Residential School is compulsory

A choice of 2  residential school dates are offered either in Week 7 (26th to 28th April) or Week 10 (17th-19th May) to facilitate students who may experience a clash in Residential schools for other subjects

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Essay

Task Description

Gene Therapy seems to be an important area in modern medical research. Choose one clinical area of gene therapy research for your essay and undertake literature searches for information on the developments, status and challenges on your chosen topic. If you wish you may compare the gene therapy approaches with other treatment modalities.

You may either cover a broad area in a category (e.g. gene therapy research for cancers) or be more specific in your approach (e.g. gene therapy research for a specific type of cancer).

Using secondary (review articles, text books) and at least five recent (last 10 years) primary literature articles, investigate and report on this topic.

Length 1000-1500 words (not including reference list ) 12 point, 1 1/2 line spacing.


Assessment Due Date

Week 8 Friday (4 May 2018) 12:00 am AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 10 Friday (18 May 2018)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50% (10/20)

Assessment Criteria

Assessment criteria

Title: Write a descriptive, scientific title for the essay. Try and give your work a title that is appropriate to what your final work represents. (1 mark)

Introduction: A one paragraph lead-in to immediately capture attention and indicate the material you will cover. (2 marks)

Discussion: Thorough review of literature on your topic area written in your own words. Logically organised. (10 marks)

Conclusions: In one paragraph summarise the status of the research you have reviewed in this area and any future research directions. (2 marks)

References: Cite and list all references referred to in your essay. Marks will be awarded for reference quality, citing within the report and listing references correctly at the end of the report. (2 marks)

Spelling, Grammar, Style: Accuracy. (3 marks)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
via Assessment Block in Course Moodle Site

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate knowledge on the applications of molecular biology skills to medical molecular biology


Graduate Attributes
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

2 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Practical Report

Task Description

Undertake and show Residential School experimental calculations, report experimental results and answer questions provided. Answers to be succinct. Students may submit one such report per pair (2) of students. Clearly label report with student names and student numbers.


Assessment Due Date

Submit at the end of the Residential School.in either week 7 (28th April) or Week 10 (19th May)


Return Date to Students

Results will be posted on line following Residential School


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50% (10/20)

Assessment Criteria

Assessment will be based on the accuracy of calculations and correctness of answers to questions.


Referencing Style

Submission
Offline Group

Submission Instructions
Hand in at end of Residential School

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure, organisation, utility and isolation of nucleic acids
  • Demonstrate safe and efficient laboratory skills in molecular biology


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Critical Thinking
  • Team Work

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
60%

Length
120 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
Students must achieve at least 50% of the total Examination mark to pass subject

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Calculator - non-programmable, no text retrieval, silent only
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?