SLE111 - Cells and Genes

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Enrolment modes:Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Warrnambool, Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Trimester 3: Online
Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Previously coded as:SBB111
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Jillian Healy
Trimester 3: Mark Guthridge
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:

SLE010

Incompatible with: SBB213, SLEM111
Typical study commitment:

Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit.

This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment:

Trimester 1: 3 x 1 hour lectures per week, 5 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester.

Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment:

Trimester 3 (Intensive): Online independent and collaborative learning including 3 x 2 hour online seminars per week (weeks 1-6). Students must attend and participate in practical activities at the Burwood (Melbourne) or Waurn Ponds (Geelong) campus on the scheduled days using an intensive schedule over a maximum of 2 weeks (typically week 5 and 6).

Content

In this unit, students will be able to study the characteristics of life that are fundamental for every field in biology. Upon successful completion of Cells and Genes, students will be able to explore, examine and describe the characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and their molecules, including cell reproduction and communication, membrane organization and metabolism, and apply this knowledge to solve problems and perform and report on the results of experiments. This understanding of molecular cell biology forms the basis for interpreting patterns of inheritance, mechanisms and control of gene expression and the principles of DNA technologies - all of which form the second part of the unit.

ULO These are the Learning Outcomes (ULO) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes
ULO1

Articulate knowledge of the basic cell biology of prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including the molecules of life, the structure and function of organelles and enzymes, cellular respiration cell division and communication, and the processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities

ULO2

Execute and interpret searches of on-line genetic databases to present a bioinformatics report using appropriate citations.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy

ULO3

Integrate the concepts of Mendelian genetics to solve problems of inheritance.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving

ULO4

Conduct laboratory work and experiments in introductory cell biology and genetics, and report on the results through submissions on a regular basis.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO6: Self-management
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO5

Demonstrate transferrable employability skills by working collaboratively in a team on an authentic real world task in order to present a well developed understanding of one aspect of biology.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO7: Teamwork

Assessment

Trimester 1:
Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1
Online test

Online multiple-choice test (approximately 45 questions) 15% Week 6

Assessment 2
Bioinformatics assignment

Written response to specific questions  10% Week 11

Assessment 3
Practical exercises

Online quizzes, written worksheets, and team oral scientific report 35% Weekly
End-of-Unit Assessment Timed online test 40% End-of-Unit Assessment Period

Assessment

Trimester 3:
Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week

Assessment 1
Online test

Online multiple-choice test (approximately 45 questions) 15% Week 4

Assessment 2
Bioinformatics assignment

Written response to specific questions 10% Week 6

Assessment 3
Practical exercises

Online quizzes, written worksheets and team oral scientific report 35% Weekly

Assessment 4
Final test

Timed online test 40% Week 7

The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.

Hurdle requirement

To obtain a pass in the unit, students must submit and pass at least 4 of the 5 practical experience (laboratory) assessments.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE111 Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.

Unit Fee Information

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