med3prj biochem

ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY AND MEDICAL BIOLOGY INTERNSHIP

MED3PRJ

2016

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This is a practical based subject where students will gain experience in current techniques in molecular and medical cellular biology by completing a 10 week laboratory placement projects. Students (in pairs) will be expected to complete 6 hours of practical work per week under the supervision of research staff. Students will conduct original research and record their observations weekly, write a 250 word project overview & aims statement, write a 2,000 word research report, and present a 15 minute talk describing their research discoveries during a mini-symposium at the end of semester. In addition students will attend lab meetings where they will receive feedback on their research and instruction on current techniques in biochemistry, cellular biology, molecular biology and scientific communication.

SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorMatthew Perugini

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Students must have a grade of at least 75% in BCH3BMA or MED3MSA. In addition students must complete the numeracy skills and working in the lab hurdles which can be completed in BCH3BMA and MED3MSA.

Co-requisites BCH3ATB or MED3ATB

Incompatible subjects MED3LAB

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Apply advanced techniques in molecular, biochemistry and cell biology to generate and analyse data and evaluate the experimental protocols used.

Activities:
Students will complete tasks during their laboratory placements. Students will be expected to use protocols from the host laboratory and apply them to complete their research objectives. Students will also attend a seminar series held jointly with MED3LAB which will include lectures on modern methods/applications of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ethics and intellectual property.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Teamwork(Teamwork)

02. Explain current techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology, and discuss and present information in the field of Biochemistry orally to peers.

Activities:
Students will attend workshops seminars where the theory behind current techniques in biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology will be presented. Workshop material will be assessed in the final exam. Students will take part in a journal club where they will present and discuss recent scientific research papers.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Teamwork(Teamwork)
Speaking(Speaking)
Writing(Writing)

03. Collect, analyse and evaluate information from literature to prepare a thorough scientific report

Activities:
Students complete a series of "modular" scientific writing exercises which are quick to complete assess and to provide indiviual feedback. These exercises taken together address all aspects of writing a full scientific report. These include exercises in; maintaining an accurate lab book, presenting scientific data, writing a short literature review and writing a methods section. Each exercise is preceded by a specific tutorial given beforehand and individual feedback is provided allowing the students to incorporate the feedback into their final report.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Writing(Writing)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

04. Interpret and critically evaluate experimental protocols

Activities:
During the practical course the students critically evaluate the experimental approaches used and rec.ognise the limitations of interpretation. Assessed in the discussion section of the final laboratory report.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
Writing(Writing)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

05. Retain accurate records of their work in the laboratory and maintain lab books.

Activities:
Lab books will be collected and assessed for diligence in recording experimental protocols and data
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Writing(Writing)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2016, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentNo

Maximum enrolment size20

Enrolment information Research Laboratory Capacity. The quota will be implemented by ranking performance in the pre-requisite subjects BCH3BMA and/or MED3MSA.

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorMatthew Perugini

Class requirements

PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
One 6.0 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

SeminarWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours seminar per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Lab book1002, 04, 05
Laboratory performance1001, 04, 05
One 2,000-word practical report5001, 02, 04, 05
Project Oral Presentation2003, 04
Scientific writing exercise1002, 04, 05