Unit Outline

Genetics forms the nexus between human biology and the environment with almost every human disease having a genetic component. This course covers the basic tenets of human genetics, introducing genetic concepts and building on these throughout the course. This will lead through discussions on: cytogenetics and chromosome disorders, Mendelian diseases, and the genetic complexity of some common human diseases. The role of the human genome and ongoing variation mapping projects, in our current understanding of genetic disease will also be introduced with the statistical and technological base of genetics and genomics being discussed. Specialist topics will also be explored including cancer genetics, bioinformatics and genetic counselling. Key concepts that will be covered include: segregation, linkage and linkage disequilibrium, genetic association and their application to population and family based genetic studies.

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.	Explain complex genetic concepts and be able to apply these concepts to explain the genetic basis of human traits, including disease
2.	Critically evaluate research literature related to the genetic basis of human traits including disease
3.	Explore the ethical principles of genetic research and the use of genetic information in society
4.	Use modern approaches, including statistics and bioinformatics, to measure and interpret genetic data such as genetic variation between individuals

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	CBA265 AND (CZZ101 OR KPZ164)

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Following feedback from previous deliveries of this unit the timing and order of assessment tasks has been altered to relieve pressure at the end of semester.

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:	Tests	Week 5	20 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Written Assignment	Week 7	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Statistics/Bioinformatics assignment	Week 10	10 %	LO1, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Ethics reflection	Week 13	10 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 5:	Final exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Tests

Task Description:

TESTS:
Two tests, invigilated (worth 10% each)

Task Length:

30 mins each

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate and apply theoretical and practical knowledge	LO1
2	Justify ethical principles of genetic research	LO3
3	Analyse and interpret data	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Written Assignment

Task Description:

Assignment. Critical evaluation and interpretation of data and / or research literature supported by evidence from the scientific literature

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically evaluate and interpret genetic data and research literature	LO2
2	Discuss the relevance and utility of genetics in clinical applications	LO1, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Statistics/Bioinformatics assignment

Task Description:

Bioinformatics and statistics workshops. Worksheets will be provided for completion during two computer-based practical workshops or in your own time. All required datasets and instructions will be available on MyLO.

Task Length:

2 - 3 hours

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply appropriate methods to analyse genetic data	LO4
2	Accurately interpret genetic information	LO1, LO4

Assessment Task 4: Ethics reflection

Task Description:

A reflection on your critical disposition towards ethics in research in an essay format (Background, Reflection, Conclusion)

Task Length:

500 - 800 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically evaluate the literature	LO2
2	Explore the ethical principles of genetic research	LO3

Assessment Task 5: Final exam

Task Description:

Final exam, 2 hours, closed book, invigilated

Task Length:

2 hours

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

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.

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.