gen3lab molecular genetics and genomics lab
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS LABORATORY COURSE
GEN3LAB
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Genetics and genome science hold the keys to understanding life on earth, Human development, health and disease at the molecular level. This subject introduces students to advanced methods in experimental molecular genetics. The topics covered include the molecular regulation of embryogenesis, Human clinical genetics, bioinformatics, Human variation, forensic science, genomics applications and ethical implications. Students will take part in an ethics debate on current genetic topics, receive advanced training in techniques essential for employment in biotechnology, medical and research laboratories, including safe laboratory practice, light microscopy, micro-pipetting, handling dangerous chemicals, laboratory record keeping and scientific report writing.
SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorJodie Young
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites GEN2MHG
Co-requisites GEN3MGG
Incompatible subjects GEN3HMG
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Apply advanced molecular genetics laboratory methods to generate and analyse high quality experimental data.
- Activities:
- Students will learn and apply techniques for safe laboratory practice, laboratory record keeping, microscopy, micropippetting, electrophoresis, karyotyping, histochemistry, genomic DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, restriction enzyme digestion, image analysis and basic statistical analysis. Students will learn and apply best practice approaches for preparing genetics data for publication.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Analyse and evaluate experimental and published data relating to molecular genetics experiments to prepare a comprehensive laboratory report.
- Activities:
- Information about the research area, experimental and data analysis techniques, and report preparation guidelines are outlined in the practical information and associated online (moodle) resources and are further explained in practical class/es and workshop/s. Students have to conduct experiments in the practical classes, analyse and write up experimental results.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Use bioinformatics to solve genetics problems.
- Activities:
- Information to complete assignments is available in the practical information. Individually and in small groups, students will access online worksheets, tutorials, genome databases and bioinformatics tools to solve genetics problems: - Students have to complete bioinformatics worksheets using online tutorials and database mining tools. - Students generate VNTR and RFLP (DNA variation) data in the laboratory and then use online sequence analysis and comparison tools to discover ApoB and PTC genotype/phenotype correlation, then analyse and describe the evolution of these genotypes and traits.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Analyse, discuss and present published original research journal article findings to peers and a scientific audience.
- Activities:
- Journal Club presentations: Information necessary for completing this assignment is available online as well as in workshop guidelines. Students need to select, read and discuss a research article from a provided list. Students present a discussion and critique of the research study, followed by answering questions from the academics. Written feedback is given by academics, demonstrators and peers.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Discuss and debate the ethical implications of Genetics research.
- Activities:
- Students will be provided with published opinion and research on current genetics topics such as: criminal DNA databases; control of DNA information; saviour siblings; paternity; predictive genetic testing; forensic medicine and Informed consent. Students will discuss the topic and undertake further independent research. Students will then debate the topics in the workshop with the other students groups, academics and tutors.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJodie Young
Class requirements
Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 6.0 hours laboratory class every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours workshop every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-lab online activity and quiz (300-words equivalent) | 10 | 01, 03 | |
| Laboratory skills assessment worksheets (4) (total 500-words-equivalent) | Clay embryo model, bioinformatics worksheet, karyotyping worksheet, forensic worksheet | 20 | 01, 04 |
| Laboratory reports (2) (1,500-words equivalent) | Includes 2 reports | 30 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Journal club presentations (500-words equivalent) | A 10 minute powerpoint/oral group presentation of a recent genetics research paper. | 10 | 02 |
| Ethics debate (group presentation (500-words equivalent, per student) | A 10 minute group oral presentation on an ethical topic related to genetics | 10 | 05 |
| In-class practical theory test (60 minutes) (1,000-words equivalent) | Questions to cover any material covered in the laboratory and workshops | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |
Singapore (PSB), 2019, Term L1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJodie Young
Class requirements
Laboratory ClassWeek: 02 - 07
One 36.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 02 to week 07 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 02 - 07
One 18.0 hours workshop per study period on weekdays during the day from week 02 to week 07 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-lab online activity and quiz (300-words equivalent) | 10 | 01, 03 | |
| Laboratory skills assessment worksheets (4) (total 500-words-equivalent) | Clay embryo model, bioinformatics worksheet, karyotyping worksheet, forensic worksheet | 20 | 01, 04 |
| Laboratory reports (2) (1,500-words equivalent) | Includes 2 reports | 30 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Journal club presentations (500-words equivalent) | A 10 minute powerpoint/oral group presentation of a recent genetics research paper. | 10 | 02 |
| Ethics debate (group presentation (500-words equivalent, per student) | A 10 minute group oral presentation on an ethical topic related to genetics | 10 | 05 |
| In-class practical theory test (60 minutes) (1,000-words equivalent) | Questions to cover any material covered in the laboratory and workshops | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |
Singapore (PSB), 2019, Term L1, Night
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJodie Young
Class requirements
Laboratory ClassWeek: 02 - 07
One 36.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays at night from week 02 to week 07 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 02 - 07
One 18.0 hours workshop per study period on weekdays at night from week 02 to week 07 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-lab online activity and quiz (300-words equivalent) | 10 | 01, 03 | |
| Laboratory skills assessment worksheets (4) (total 500-words-equivalent) | Clay embryo model, bioinformatics worksheet, karyotyping worksheet, forensic worksheet | 20 | 01, 04 |
| Laboratory reports (2) (1,500-words equivalent) | Includes 2 reports | 30 | 01, 02, 03 |
| Journal club presentations (500-words equivalent) | A 10 minute powerpoint/oral group presentation of a recent genetics research paper. | 10 | 02 |
| Ethics debate (group presentation (500-words equivalent, per student) | A 10 minute group oral presentation on an ethical topic related to genetics | 10 | 05 |
| In-class practical theory test (60 minutes) (1,000-words equivalent) | Questions to cover any material covered in the laboratory and workshops | 20 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |