Unit Outline
CBA265
Molecular Biology in Health & Disease
Semester 2, 2024
Louise Roddam
Tasmanian School of Medicine
College of Health and Medicine
CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Unit Coordinator
Louise Roddam
Email: Louise.Roddam@utas.edu.au
 

What is the Unit About?
Unit Description
This unit provides students with a broad introduction to molecular biology and how it can be used to investigate health & disease. The focus of this unit is primarily on humans and other mammals, but most of the matters discussed apply to a much broader range of species. The unit provides students with an understanding of protein structure, function and synthesis; DNA structure, replication, and transcription; DNA technology and its applications; genetics of human disease; molecular biology of cancer. The knowledge gained in this unit will complement the practical skills developed in the laboratory classes. These laboratory classes will provide students with ‘hands-on’ experience in molecular biology. Students should be aware that TCE Year 12 Chemistry (or equivalent) is assumed knowledge for this unit.
Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.
On completion of this unit, you will be able to:
1.
Identify and discuss molecular and cellular processes involved in health and disease
2.
Demonstrate an applied understanding of the molecular tools and strategies used to investigate the mechanisms of health and disease
3.
Communicate scientific information clearly using appropriate language and biomedical terminology.
4.
Collect, analyse and interpret scientific data relating to molecular biology.
Requisites
REQUISITE TYPE
REQUISITES
Pre-requisite
(CZZ101 or KPZ164) AND (CZZ102 or KZA161 or KPA161)
Alterations as a result of student feedback
A formative feedback sessions for review of the mid-semester test has been scheduled in advance to ensure timely feedback on student work.
 
 

Teaching arrangements
ATTENDANCE MODE
TEACHING TYPE
LEARNING ACTIVITY
CONTACT HOURS
FREQUENCY
On Campus
Workshop
workshop (2 hour) fortnightly
2
1 time per fortnight
Practical
Practical (3 h) fortnightly
3
1 time per fortnight
Other
Self-directed study (3-4 h) weekly
4
Weekly
Online
Independent Learning
Online Material (2-3 h) weekly
3
Weekly
Attendance / engagement expectations
If your unit is offered On campus, it is expected that you will attend all on-campus and onsite learning activities. This is to support your own learning and the development of a learning community within the unit. If you are unable to attend regularly, please discuss the situation with your course coordinator and/or our UConnect support team.

If your unit is offered Online or includes online activities, it is expected you will engage in all those activities as indicated in the Unit Outline or MyLO, including any self-directed learning.

If you miss a learning activity for a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, carer responsibilities) teaching staff will attempt to provide alternative activities (e.g., make up readings) where it is possible.
 
Students are required to demonstrate active engagement with this unit by:
1. Completing the lab safety module on MyLO (by the end of week 2), to the orange level, and uploading their completion certificate to the appropriate MyLO drop box.
2. Regularly participating in workshops and laboratory sessions.
 
 

How will I be Assessed?
 
For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.
Assessment schedule
ASSESSMENT TASK #
ASSESSMENT TASK NAME
DATE DUE
WEIGHT
LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:
Laboratory Worksheets
Week 5
40 %
LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:
Mid-semester test
Week 7
20 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:
Written Exam, Invigilated
Exam Period
40 %
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment details
Assessment Task 1: Laboratory Worksheets
Task Description:
This assessment task involves completion of TWO (2) laboratory worksheets (each worth 20%). These worksheets are based on practical classes delivered during the semester and involve data collection, analysis, interpretation of data, and research-based knowledge questions.

Each worksheet will contribute 20% to the final grade.

Worksheets are due in weeks 5 and 12
Task Length:
500-1000 Words
Due Date:
Week 5
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Discuss the molecular and cellular basis of health and disease
LO1
2
Communicate using biomedical terminology
LO3
3
Analyse and interpret scientific data
LO4
 
Assessment Task 2: Mid-semester test
Task Description:
The test will assess knowledge and understanding of concepts covered in Modules 1 and 2 of this unit. Questions may be based on any material delivered in the online modules, workshops, or laboratory classes. The test may include multiple-choice, extended-matching, true/false questions, written answer, and problem- solving questions. The test will be closed book and invigilated.
Task Length:
60 minutes
Due Date:
Week 7
Weight:
20 %
 
 

CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Correct answers to questions
LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
 
Assessment Task 3: Written Exam, Invigilated
Task Description:
Closed book written theory exam.
This assessment task will test knowledge and understanding of concepts covered in the unit, heavily weighted to Modules 3 and 4 of the unit. Questions may be based on any topic covered in online modules, tutorials and/or laboratory classes. Questions may be Multiple Choice, Extended Matching, written answer, or problem-solving.
Task Length:
Two hours
Due Date:
Exam Period
Weight:
40 %
 
CRITERION #
CRITERION
MEASURES INTENDED
LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
1
Discuss the molecular and cellular basis of health and disease
LO1
2
Investigate mechanisms of health and disease using molecular
LO2
3
Communicate using biomedical terminology
LO3
4
Analyse and interpret scientific data
LO4
 
 
 

How your final result is determined
To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.
Submission of assignments
Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.
Academic integrity
Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see
Important Guidelines & Support.
Requests for extensions
If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.
 
A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.
 
The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.
Late penalties
Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.
Review of results and appeals
You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.
 
 

 
 

Required Resources
Required reading materials
Required readings and other resources will be provided through MyLO.
 
Recommended reading materials
You can access the reading list for this unit from the link in MyLO or by going directly to the reading lists page on the University Library website.
 
Other required resources