bio5tec techniques in biotechnology

TECHNIQUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

BIO5TEC

2018

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

In this subject students will learn about a wide range of currently used techniques in biotechnology. They will be exposed to research scientists who are specialists in cutting-edge techniques relevant to current applications in the biotechnology industry and the research laboratory. The subject has a strong focus on providing students with the opportunity to understand, design, apply and analyse experiments based on state-of-the-art technology. BIO5TEC delivers theoretical concepts in concert with experimental design, application and analyses of a range of techniques used in modern biotechnology. The breadth of such techniques is vast and growing, so students will be exposed to techniques at the current forefront of experimental applications in a molecular biology setting. The subject is highly integrated, and the techniques are presented in a logical progression, from the identification of a gene of interest, to understanding its regulation, the cellular location, functions, biophysical characteristics and structure of the protein it encodes.

SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorSuzanne Cutts

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites Must be enrolled in one of the following courses: SGBB, SMBB, SMBM, SMBT or SMNT. All other students require coordinator approval.

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsLehninger: Principles of BiochemistryRecommendedDavid L Nelson; Michael M Cox. 7th Edution, 2017.WH Freeman

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Consolidate fundamental biochemical knowledge in the fields of molecular biology, gene regulation and protein structure (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary) and characterization in order to achieve an advanced and integrated understanding of these topics

Activities:
Lectures Each 2 hour lecture will be given by a research scientist who is a specialist in the current technique being addressed in the lecture. The lecture will canvas the basic biochemical knowledge required to comprehend the technique, the type of scientific/biological problem being addressed, the experimental design aspects, practical application and analysis and interpretation of results. Workshops Workshops will be used to consolidate the information presented in the preceding lecture and to give practical examples of the application of each techniques in terms of the data generated, its analysis and interpretation. Students will complete a worksheet during each workshop which will canvas these main objectives.

02. Recognise and apply established knowledge and concepts relating to a range of current techniques in the fields of molecular biology and biotechnology

Activities:
Lectures, Workshops

03. Apply specialist knowledge of molecular biology techniques to independently design an experiment aimed at answering a defined scientific question.

Activities:
Lectures, Workshops

04. Analyse and critically evaluate the validity of data from experiments involving the application of a current technique in biotechnology.

Activities:
Lectures, Workshops

05. Report data and its analysis in a meaningful and clear context using appropriate technical language

Activities:
Lectures, Workshops (particularly worksheet assessments)

06. Convey an expert understanding of scientific methods and their application through verbal communication

Activities:
Presentation assignment

07. Work collaboratively and responsibly to prepare a verbal presentation

Activities:
Presentation assignment

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2018, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSuzanne Cutts

Class requirements

WorkShopWeek: 11 - 22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 11 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
One 1.5 hour written examinationStudents will be assessed on their accuracy, quantitative literacy, understanding of the experimental detail and their scientific knowledge. 4002, 03, 04, 05
Seven workshop worksheets (350 word per worksheet; equivalent to 2450 words in total)Each workshop will be dedicated to a particular technique (or techniques) which were covered in the preceding lecture.4001, 02, 03, 04, 05
One 20-min team oral presentation (500-words per student)Students will work in pairs and prepare an oral presentation on a technique that they encountered in the lecture/workshop component of the course. Student preparation required for this assessment includes co-ordination of group meetings and background literature research.2002, 06, 07