ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY AND MEDICAL BIOLOGY LABORATORY COURSE
MED3LAB
2020
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 including functional assays of apoptosis, transfection and fluorescent microscopy, immunofluorescent microscopy and an intergrated practical where students clone and express a chimeric protein.
SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorJulian Pakay
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites BCH2IBM and BCH2MBC
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects BCH3BMB
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Explain concepts in cell biology and molecular biology using appropriate vocabulary.
- Activities:
- Where applicable, practical classes are used to reinforce lecture content delivered in BCH3ATB and MED3ATB. Students will also attend a seminar series held jointly with MED3PRJ which will include lectures on modern methods/applications of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, ethics and intellectual property.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Apply advanced techniques in molecular biology, protein purification and cell biology to generate and analyse data and evaluate the experimental protocols used.
- Activities:
- Students complete tasks in the practical class indiviually, as a pair or as part of a larger coordinated group, dependent on the task. Students will design their own experimental protocol for the final quantitative experiment of the intergrated practical. Quantitative literacy is also assessed in the practical exam.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural 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,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Explain/understand current techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology.
- Activities:
- During practical classes students are given detailed instruction in current techniques in biochemistry and molecular cell biology. Students are expected to demonstrate this knowledge by being able to suggest feasible strategies to presented problems. Assessed in formative question sheets completed during practical classes and in the practical exam.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural 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,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Collect, analyse and evaluate information from literature to prepare a thorough scientific report.
- Activities:
- Students complete two short scientific writing exercises which are quick to complete, assess and to provide indiviual feedback. These exercises span both BCH3AAB and MED3LAB and taken together address all aspects of writing a full scientific report. In BCH3AAB these include exercises in; maintaining an accurate lab book and writing a short literature review. Each exercise is preceded by a specific tutorial. Individual feedback is provided allowing the students to incorporate this work into their final report.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
05. Interpret and critically evaluate experimental protocols.
- Activities:
- During the practical course the students critically evaluate the experimental approaches used and recognise where optimum design is limited by logistics. This is encouraged during the pre-practical lectures and discussed during student-led tutorials. Assessed in the discussion section of the final laboratory report.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
06. Discuss and present information in the field of Biochemistry orally to peers.
- Activities:
- At the start of each tutorial session students present a short tutorial to a small group of classmates. The tutorial is based on a series of assigned questions which provide relevant background theory to the practical class. Each student presents to his/her group once during the semester. The tutorial is assessed for both clarity of presentation and accuracy of content. Participation by students in the audience is noted and provides bonus marks for laboratory performance
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
Select to view your study options…
Melbourne, 2020, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment size192
Enrolment information Quota due to limited resources. Merit based quota on second year Biochemistry marks.
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorJulian Pakay
Class requirements
Laboratory Class
Week:
31
-
43
One 6.0 hours laboratory class every two weeks
on weekdays
during the day
from week 31 to week 43
and delivered via face-to-face.
"Weeks 32, 34, 36, 38, 41, 43. To faciliate the anticipated enrolment a repeat class needs to be offered. This will mean that a total of 2 x 96 (192) students can be accomodated if required. The classes need to be held in the LIMS senior teaching laboratory."
Tutorial
Week:
31
-
43
One 2.0 hours tutorial every two weeks
on weekdays
during the day
from week 31 to week 43
and delivered via face-to-face.
"Weeks, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39 and 42. The tutorials will be held during the intervening weeks between practical classes. The maximum class size is 24 students and ideally classes should be run simultaneously and on the same days/times as the lab classes."
Lecture
Week:
31
-
43
Two 1.0 hours lecture other recurrence
on weekdays
during the day
from week 31 to week 43
and delivered via face-to-face.
"Two pre-practical lectures need to held, one in week 31 and one in week 36 (before the start of each of the two major practical topics). Must be held prior to lab class in that week."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Performance (250 words equivalent) | This assessment is based on laboratory and tutorial performance, contribution to student led-tutorials and an assessment of practical skills exhibited during the laboratory classes. | 10 | 02, 05, 06 |
| Practical Exam (2 hr) | This exam will be required to be centrally timetabled during the end of semester exam period. | 30 | 01, 02, 05 |
| Practical Report (equivalent to 1500 words) | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Question Sheets (equivalent to 250 words) | Short answer sheets completed in-class duing tutorial/workshop sessions. | 10 | 01, 03, 05 |
| Scientific Writing Exercises (equivalent to 250 words) | Two short formative exercises for the students to obtain feedback on their scientific writing. Students can incorporate this work into the final practical report. | 10 | 01, 02, 04, 05 |
| Student Led Tutorials (equivalent to 250 words) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 06 |
Singapore (PSB), 2020, Term L4, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorNoni Frankenberg
Class requirements
Laboratory Class
Week:
27
-
31
Thirty six 1.0 hours laboratory class per study period
on weekdays
during the day
from week 27 to week 31
and delivered via face-to-face.
"36-hours consisting of wet/dry/simulation activities. This includes two pre-practical lectures"
Tutorial
Week:
27
-
31
Twelve 1.0 hours tutorial per study period
on weekdays
during the day
from week 27 to week 31
and delivered via face-to-face.
Lecture
Week:
27
-
31
Two 1.0 hours lecture per study period
on weekdays
during the day
from week 27 to week 31
and delivered via face-to-face.
"Two pre-practical lectures need to held (before the start of each of the two major practical topics). Must be held prior to lab class in that week."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Performance (250 words equivalent) | This assessment is based on laboratory and tutorial performance, contribution to student led-tutorials and an assessment of practical skills exhibited during the laboratory classes. | 10 | 02, 05, 06 |
| Practical Exam (2 hr) | This exam will be required to be centrally timetabled during the end of semester exam period. | 30 | 01, 02, 05 |
| Practical Report (equivalent to 1500 words) | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Question Sheets (equivalent to 250 words) | Short answer sheets completed in-class duing tutorial/workshop sessions. | 10 | 01, 03, 05 |
| Scientific Writing Exercises (equivalent to 250 words) | Two short formative exercises for the students to obtain feedback on their scientific writing. Students can incorporate this work into the final practical report. | 10 | 01, 02, 04, 05 |
| Student Led Tutorials (equivalent to 250 words) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 06 |
Singapore (PSB), 2020, Term L4, Night
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorNoni Frankenberg
Class requirements
Laboratory Class
Week:
27
-
31
Thirty six 1.0 hours laboratory class per study period
on weekdays
at night
from week 27 to week 31
and delivered via face-to-face.
"36-hours consisting of wet/dry/simulation activities."
Tutorial
Week:
27
-
31
Twelve 1.0 hours tutorial per study period
on weekdays
at night
from week 27 to week 31
and delivered via face-to-face.
Lecture
Week:
27
-
31
Two 1.0 hours lecture per study period
on weekdays
at night
from week 27 to week 31
and delivered via face-to-face.
"Two pre-practical lectures need to held (before the start of each of the two major practical topics). Must be held prior to lab class in that week."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Performance (250 words equivalent) | This assessment is based on laboratory and tutorial performance, contribution to student led-tutorials and an assessment of practical skills exhibited during the laboratory classes. | 10 | 02, 05, 06 |
| Practical Exam (2 hr) | This exam will be required to be centrally timetabled during the end of semester exam period. | 30 | 01, 02, 05 |
| Practical Report (equivalent to 1500 words) | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Question Sheets (equivalent to 250 words) | Short answer sheets completed in-class duing tutorial/workshop sessions. | 10 | 01, 03, 05 |
| Scientific Writing Exercises (equivalent to 250 words) | Two short formative exercises for the students to obtain feedback on their scientific writing. Students can incorporate this work into the final practical report. | 10 | 01, 02, 04, 05 |
| Student Led Tutorials (equivalent to 250 words) | 10 | 01, 02, 03, 06 |