SLE712 - Molecular Biotechnology

Unit details

Year:

2024 unit information

Offering information:

Available from 2025

Enrolment modes:

Trimester 1: Waurn Ponds (Geelong)

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value:0.125
Unit Chair:Trimester 1: Janine McBurnie
Prerequisite:

Nil

Corequisite:

SLE010

Incompatible with: Nil
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:

10 x 3 hour practical experiences (laboratory) per trimester, 1 x 3 hour online seminar per trimester.

Content

This practical-intensive unit will give students an opportunity to develop skills and experience in a variety of laboratory techniques commonly used in biotechnology. More specifically, the practical sessions will focus on techniques used in molecular biology, cell biology and some aspects of bioinformatics. These techniques include extraction of nucleic acids, amplification with polymerase chain reaction, working with plasmids, including restriction digestion, molecular cloning, and DNA sequencing. Students will learn the principles of ethics and research integrity related to molecular biotechnology including good laboratory practice, record keeping and biosafety compliance. Students will advance their written communication skills with the preparation of formal laboratory reports and will demonstrate their scientific practice using valid forms of data visualisation and analysis.

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

Understand and apply commonly used techniques in molecular biotechnology.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO7: Teamwork

ULO2

Effectively communicate biotechnology concepts and experimental results, especially in the form of scientific reports.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO6: Self-management

ULO3

Collect laboratory data, analyse and interpret it using sound scientific practices.

GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities
GLO2: Communication
GLO3: Digital literacy
GLO4: Critical thinking
GLO5: Problem solving
GLO8: Global citizenship

Assessment

Assessment Description Student output Grading and weighting
(% total mark for unit)
Indicative due week
Assessment 1
Practical Report 1
Written report, 1000-1500 words not including bibliography 20%

Week 6

Assessment 2
Practical Report 2

Written report, 1000-1500 words not including bibliography 20% Week 9
Assessment 3
Practical Report 3
Written report, 1000-1500 words not including bibliography 20% Week 11 
End-of-Unit Assessment Timed online test 40% End-of-Unit Assessment period

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 be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must achieve at least 50% in the practical component, in addition to the normal requirement of at least 50% overall for the unit.

Learning Resource

The texts and reading list for the unit can be found on the University Library via the link below: SLE712 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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Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

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