Unit Outline

This unit will provide basic training to obtain fundamental analytical and cell culture skills in the field of pharmaceutical and biomedical science. The purpose of this unit is to introduce the basic laboratory skills that researchers utilise on a daily basis.

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	Demonstrate working principles and applications of commonly used analytical techniques
2	Conduct aseptic cell culture techniques
3	Demonstrate cell culture skills including harvesting, counting, and subculturing of cell lines
4	Critically evaluate the advantages, limitations and other specific information that can be gained from analytical and cell culture techniques

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Co-requisite	CSA741

Alterations as a result of student feedback

As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2026, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

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:	Module-associated online quizzes	See the MyLO site for the due date	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Submission of excel files	See the MyLO site for the due date	0 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Multiple choice question online quizzes	Week 4	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	In class tests	Week 6	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 5:	Submission of practical report	Week 8	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 6:	Practical-based written Exam	Exam Period	30 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Module-associated online quizzes

Task Description:

You will be required to undertake 10 online quizzes throughout the semester. These quizzes are considered as one hurdle task. You must correctly answer 100% of the questions. You can take as many attempts as possible to achieve the required number of correct answers. Each quiz will remain open for 1 week before the practical session. If you do not complete the required self-directed non-invigilated quiz before the practical session, you will not be permitted to take the associated laboratory session for safety reasons.
Due by date - before the associated practical session
Must Pass (HURDLE TASK)

Task Length:

n/a (no time limit and no limit to the number of attempts)

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of the content covered in the online modules. These include the safe use, understanding and applications of various types of analytical techniques and assays related to the cell culture of eukaryotic cells.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Submission of excel files

Task Description:

You will be required to submit your excel sheets and associated worksheets after 6 practical assessments. Formative feedback will be provided

Must Pass (HURDLE TASK)

Task Length:

n/a (no time limit and no limit to the number of attempts)

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

0 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate accurate interpretation and analysis of experimental findings.	LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Interpret and analyse the provided data	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Perform calculations to ascertain the concentration and percentage remaining of the drug at each specific time interval, using the provided data.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Multiple choice question online quizzes

Task Description:

You will be required to complete 4 online quizzes. Each quiz will have 10 to 12 multiple-choice questions. This activity will be conducted in class under test conditions.

Due Dates:
Quiz 1 - Week 4
Quiz 2 - Week 7
Quiz 3 - Week 10
Quiz 4 - Week 12

Task Length:

20 - 30 minutes

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate knowledge of commonly used analytical techniques	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Demonstrate knowledge of cell culture techniques	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Demonstrate understanding of principles and applications of analytical and cell culture techniques	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 4: In class tests

Task Description:

You will be required to complete 2 short answer written online tests. Each test will have between 10 and 15 questions. This activity will be conducted in class under test conditions.

Due Dates:
Quiz 1 - Week 6
Quiz 2 - Week 11

Task Length:

60 minutes

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate the ability to suggest a suitable analytical technique for a given problem and provide a logical justifications.	LO1, LO4
2	Demonstrate principles of cell culture techniques.	LO2, LO3, LO4
3	Demonstrate ability to identify critical methodological flows in an experimental design and formulate solutions to avoid identified issues.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
4	Interpret and analyse the provided data, to demonstrate knowledge of principles of chromatographic techniques	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 5: Submission of practical report

Task Description:

Following laboratory-based practicals, you will complete a written assignment encompassing short- and long-answer questions related to analytical techniques studied in Weeks 1-5.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate understanding and comprehension of the methodology needed for preparing and analysing pharmaceutical samples.	LO1, LO2, LO3
2	Execute precise calculations to ascertain the concentration and percentage remaining of the drug at each specific time interval, using the provided data.	LO1, LO2, LO3
3	Assess and compare the methods employed to address challenges encountered during sample analysis in order to identify the most effective solutions.	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 6: Practical-based written Exam

Task Description:

You will be required to complete a practical based written examination, interpret, analyse and submit the experimental findings.

Task Length:

2 Hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Demonstrate ability to conduct cell culture techniques.	LO2, LO3, LO4
2	Demonstrate accurate analysis of experimental findings.	LO2, LO3, LO4

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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

No specific textbooks or reading lists are required for this unit as self-directed searches for information are required and strongly encouraged in this unit. Links to specific information relevant to laboratory sessions or theoretical background will be distributed via the lecture material or MyLO.