BMSC12012 - Molecular Cell Biology

General Information

Unit Synopsis

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 medical applications. You will explore the application of molecular techniques, such polymerase chain reaction and next generation sequencing, and their revolutionary impact on diagnostic testing.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 2
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite

BMSC11002 Human Body Systems 2 AND BMSC11005 Foundations of Biochemistry

OR

BMSC11008 Medical Anatomy and Physiology 2 AND BMSC11005 Foundations of Biochemistry

OR

BMSC11011 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2 AND BMSC11005 Foundations of Biochemistry

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).

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Residential School Compulsory Residential School
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Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2023

Term 1 - 2023 Profile
Bundaberg
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 1 - 2024 Profile
Bundaberg
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).

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Written Assessment 30%
2. Laboratory/Practical 0%
3. Practical Assessment 30%
4. Examination 40%

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

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 1 - 2023 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 100.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 29.09% response rate.

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.

Source: SUTE data and self reflection
Feedback
Addition of case studies throughout the term would help prepare the students for the final examination.
Recommendation
Consider implementing case studies with the weekly tutorials.
Action Taken
Example case studies and example exam questions were provided in tutorials.
Source: SUTE data
Feedback
One final examination covering twelve weeks of content was not well received.
Recommendation
Consider the assessment structure and weightings for future iterations.
Action Taken
Two weeks of exam revision and preparation was provided to the students. Students were provided with an online 'mock' exam to test their own understanding of the unit content across all topics.
Source: Student feedback.
Feedback
Students would like a higher level of interactivity to increase engagement with the content.
Recommendation
Include interactive learning approaches suitable for all delivery modes.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Student feedback.
Feedback
Students enjoyed the residential school to apply the knowledge learnt in classes.
Recommendation
Continue to provide a residential school with hands-on activities.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Personal reflection.
Feedback
Peer to peer interaction and Moodle engagement was low.
Recommendation
Promote peer interaction and learning through regular Moodle forum posts.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the structure and organisation of cells at the molecular level
  2. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the genome including its manipulation and sequencing
  3. Accurately review and evaluate the strategies associated with the transformation of micro-organisms and animals
  4. Explain the process of identifying genetic changes and their significance
  5. Apply knowledge of molecular biology techniques in the laboratory.

The learning outcomes achieved are linked to the objectives of the accrediting body, Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists (AIMS).

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment • • •
2 - Laboratory/Practical • •
3 - Practical Assessment • •
4 - Examination • • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication • • • • •
2 - Problem Solving • • • •
3 - Critical Thinking • • • • •
4 - Information Literacy • • •
5 - Team Work •
8 - Ethical practice •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10