Unit Outline

The unit accommodates students with varied prior knowledge of molecular biology with an introductory module on basic molecular biology concepts and then focuses on medical molecular genetics, providing detailed study of genetic mutations, inheritance patterns of genetic diseases and laboratory investigation of diseases. Laboratory sessions will cover molecular diagnostic techniques. This unit is co-taught with a related unit to students in the Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine, and although you will be provided with similar knowledge and laboratory skills as these students, you will also undertake additional learning activities and assessment. This is necessary for you to develop and demonstrate the higher level investigatory and communication skills to satisfy the Australian Qualification Framework level 9 requirements of a Master’s degree.

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.	Analyse, interpret, and critically evaluate theoretical concepts of complex genetics problems related to human disease.
2.	Communicate fundamental genetics disease processes, molecular diagnoses, and treatments in a discipline specific manner.
3.	Plan/design, evaluate and perform molecular diagnostic techniques to diagnose diseases at a molecular level.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

None

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:	Test	Week 5	25 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Complex disease pathology and diagnostics activity.	Week 8	20 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 3:	Test	Week 11	25 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 4:	Laboratory Practical Report	Week 13	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Test

Task Description:

The test will consist of multiple-choice and short answer questions from lectures and tutorials, weeks 1-4. This is a closed book paper-based test and will be completed on-campus.

Task Length:

60 minutes

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, and the critical analysis of applications related to the basis of inheritance; sex-linked characteristics; chromosome variation, and pedigree analysis.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Complex disease pathology and diagnostics activity.

Task Description:

Complex disease pathology and diagnostics activity.
In Week 2 you will be given several genes where mutations are known to cause serious disease. You will research and write about ONE gene of your choice from a selection provided on MyLO. You should consider the role of the gene in disease processes, current diagnostics, and treatment (if any). This activity will be completed individually and be assessed in written format.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate the ability to integrate genotype-phenotype correlations of complex diseases and provide a clear description and critical analysis of the link between mutation(s), protein structure and function, and disease phenotype.	LO1, LO2
2	Show consistent evidence that the material is well understood, and the content/literature was carefully selected from current and credible sources.	LO1, LO2
3	Demonstrate a concise and clear style of writing applicable to a standard for scientific publication.	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Test

Task Description:

The test will consist of multiple-choice and short answer questions from lectures and tutorials weeks, 6-10. This is a closed book paper-based test and will be completed on-campus.

Task Length:

60 minutes

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge, comprehension, and the critical analysis of applications related to the basis of inheritance; sex-linked characteristics; chromosome variation, and pedigree analysis.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 4: Laboratory Practical Report

Task Description:

Laboratory Practical Plan and Practical Report.
This activity will require you to plan/design and perform molecular biology procedures/experiments, keep a legible account of your experimental details including a brief introduction to the experiment(s), methods (you may refer to the Laboratory Manual), results, discussion and conclusion.

Task Length:

As required to record experimental plan/design, work and interpretation.

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Plan/Design a component of a molecular biology procedure/experiment.	LO3
2	Demonstrate your ability to critically analyse, interpret, and present scientific data in written format from molecular biology experimentation.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Implement accurate and precise data entry into your laboratory book so that another researcher of equivalent skill can replicate your experiments and interpret your data.	LO2, LO3

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.

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