bio5tec techniques in biotechnology
TECHNIQUES IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
BIO5TEC
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject students will learn about a wide range of currently used techniques in biotechnology. They will be exposed to research scientists who are specialists in cutting-edge techniques relevant to current applications in the biotechnology industry and the research laboratory. The subject has a strong focus on providing students with the opportunity to understand, design, apply and analyse experiments based on state-of-the-art technology. BIO5TEC delivers theoretical concepts in concert with experimental design, application and analyses of a range of techniques used in modern biotechnology. The breadth of such techniques is vast and growing, so students will be exposed to techniques at the current forefront of experimental applications in a molecular biology setting. The subject is highly integrated, and the techniques are presented in a logical progression, from the identification of a gene of interest, the cellular location, functions, biophysical characteristics, structure of the protein it encodes and biotechnological engineering approaches.
SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorSuzanne Cutts
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be enrolled in one of the following courses: SGBB or SMBB or SMBM or SMBT or SMNT. All other students require coordinator approval.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Lehninger: Principles of Biochemistry | Recommended | David L Nelson; Michael M Cox. 7th Edution, 2017. | WH Freeman |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Explain advanced biotechnology techniques, which integrate fundamental biochemical concepts from a diverse range of fields.
- Activities:
- Lectures Each 2 hour lecture will be given by a research scientist who is a specialist in the current technique being addressed in the lecture. The lecture will canvas the basic biochemical knowledge required to comprehend the technique, the type of scientific/biological problem being addressed, the experimental design aspects, practical application and analysis and interpretation of results. Workshops Workshops will be used to consolidate the information presented in the preceding lecture and to give practical examples of the application of each techniques in terms of the data generated, its analysis and interpretation. Students will complete a worksheet during each workshop which will canvas these main objectives.
02. Recognise and apply established knowledge and concepts relating to a range of current techniques in the fields of biotechnology.
- Activities:
- Lectures, Workshops
03. Apply specialist knowledge of techniques to independently design experiments aimed at answering defined scientific questions.
- Activities:
- Lectures, Workshops
04. Analyse and critically evaluate the validity of data from experiments applying of current techniques in biotechnology.
- Activities:
- Lectures, Workshops
05. Report data and its analysis in a meaningful and clear context using appropriate technical language.
- Activities:
- Lectures, Workshops (particularly worksheet assessments)
06. Convey an expert understanding of scientific methods and their application through verbal communication.
- Activities:
- Presentation assignment
07. Work collaboratively and responsibly to prepare verbal presentations.
- Activities:
- Presentation assignment
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSuzanne Cutts
Class requirements
WorkShopWeek: 11 - 22
One 3.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
LectureWeek: 11 - 22
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One 1.5 hour written examination | Students will be assessed on their accuracy, quantitative literacy, understanding of the experimental detail and their scientific knowledge. | 40 | 02, 03, 04, 05 |
| Seven workshop worksheets - 350-words per worksheet (2,450-words in total) | Each workshop will be dedicated to a particular technique (or techniques) which were covered in the preceding lecture. | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |
| One 20-min team oral presentation (500-words per student) | Students will work in pairs and prepare an oral presentation on a technique that they encountered in the lecture/workshop component of the course. Student preparation required for this assessment includes co-ordination of group meetings and background literature research. | 20 | 02, 06, 07 |