01. Understand, interpret and critically evaluate experimental protocols

Activities:

Students will be allocated a scientific method that they must convert into a step-by-step protocol. During workshops, students will research and evaluate the technical limitations of their protocol. For assessment, students must produce a learning resource that includes a practical guide and an instructional presentation for carrying out the procedure.

02. Develop and convey an understanding of protein chemistry techniques

Activities:

Students will complete worksheets that contain a combination of questions about key concepts covered in lectures, workshops and practical classes. Students will have the opportunity to discuss these problems with demonstrators and fellow students. These must be submitted for assessment and feedback

03. Prepare, perform, interpret and explain an experiment

Activities:

Students will use the protocols compiled by their group to carry out their laboratory work. Both the experimental data and results will be reported through a group oral presentation. All group members will be asked questions about their protocols and results. Students are expected to accurately explain the purpose of their experiments and the outcomes observed.

04. Practice gathering and reporting information from published literature and scientific resources

Activities:

Students will produce a product information sheet that has background information for the protein they produce in the laboratory. Workshop activities will focus on collating information from a variety of scientific resources and documenting this information in a concise manner.

05. Demonstrate effective collaboration and organisational skills through contributing to group work

Activities:

At the beginning of this unit, students will be assigned to project groups. Students will be required to work collaboratively to compile a set of protocols and to carry out their laboratory work. Each student is responsible for purifying and supplying a different component needed for the group's assay. The success of the group work will be measured during the presentation of the group's data.

06. Compile and present experimental data in a format appropriate for publication

Activities:

Workshop activities will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills in compiling and presenting their data for inclusion in their product information sheet. The product information sheet will resemble that of a commercially available protein and will be professionally researched, written and formatted.