Course Title: Perform biological procedures

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: ONPS5659C

Course Title: Perform biological procedures

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5282 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)

Course Contact: Amberlee Mitton

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8053

Course Contact Email: amberlee.mitton@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Amberlee Mitton

amberlee.mitton@rmit.edu.au

Phone: 9925 8053

Office: 51.4.01

Nominal Hours: 130

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Pre-Requisites

MSL973004A - Perform aseptic techniques  AND  MSL973007A - Perform microscopic examination 

 

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the ability to interpret work requirements, prepare samples, conduct pre-use and calibration checks on equipment and perform routine biological procedures, including sample preparation. These procedures may involve several steps and are used to classify cell types, species and biologically active compounds by analysing their biological and chemical characteristics. This unit includes data processing, interpretation of results and troubleshooting obvious departures from standard procedures.

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL974006A Perform biological procedures

Element:

1. Interpret and schedule work requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1.Review work request to identify samples, required
procedures and materials/equipment/instruments
involved
1.2.Identify hazards and enterprise control measures
associated with the sample, preparation methods,
reagents and/or equipment
1.3.Plan parallel work sequences to optimise throughput
of multiple sets of samples, if appropriate

Element:

2. Receive and prepare biological samples

Performance Criteria:

2.1.Log samples using standard operating procedures
(SOPs)
2.2.Record sample description, compare with
specification and note and report discrepancies
2.3.Prepare samples in accordance with testing
requirements
2.4.Ensure traceability of sample from receipt to
reporting of results

Element:

3. Perform techniques that assist in the classification of a cell or species

Performance Criteria:

3.1.Select suitable techniques in accordance with
enterprise requirements and methods
3.2.Set up and use equipment and reagents in accordance
with the method
3.3.Perform techniques in accordance with the method

Element:

4. Perform techniques that analyse biological activity

Performance Criteria:

4.1.Select suitable techniques in accordance with
enterprise requirements and methods
4.2.Set up and use equipment and reagents in accordance
with the method
4.3.Perform techniques in accordance with the method

Element:

5. Process and interpret data

Performance Criteria:

5.1.Record test data noting atypical observations
5.2.Construct calibration graphs, if appropriate, and
compute results for all samples from these graphs
5.3.Ensure calculated values are consistent with
expectations
5.4.Record and report results in accordance with
enterprise procedures
5.5.Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement
in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required
5.6.Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out
of specification or atypical results promptly to
appropriate personnel
5.7.Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to atypical data or results

Element:

6. Maintain a safe work environment

Performance Criteria:

6.1.Use established safe work practices and personal
protective equipment to ensure personal safety and
that of other laboratory personnel
6.2.Minimise the generation of wastes
6.3.Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous wastes
6.4.Clean, care for and store equipment and reagents as
required

Element:

7. Maintain laboratory records

Performance Criteria:

7.1.Record approved data into enterprise system
7.2.Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise
information and laboratory data
7.3.Maintain equipment and calibration logs in
accordance with enterprise procedures


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

• Teacher directed delivery of lessons
• Class discussion
• Worksheets
• Laboratory experiments
• Record keeping of experiments
• Research activities
• Site Visits


Teaching Schedule

Semester 1

  • Week 1 Topic 1: A view of life Intro to course/assessment items and blackboard tour, Activity 1a: M&M’s and the Scientific Method & Activity 1b: Exploring the scientific method
  • Week 2 Topic 2: Ecology 1, Activity 2: Food webs/chains and carbon cycle
  • Week 3 Topic 3: Ecology 2 Activity 3: The Lesson of the Kaibab, Site visit planning and report writing tutorial
  • Week 4 Site visit Compulsory to attended and collect data for Assessment 1, Activity 4: Site visit to Royal Botanical Gardens, Assessment 1: Site visit report (7.5 %)
  • Week 5 Report writing, Turnitin and referencing tutorial
  • Week 6 Topic 4: Photosynthesis, Practical 1: Floating leaf (photosynthesis)
  • Week 7a No class
  • Week 7b No class Student Break
  • Week 8 Assessment week - No test or class
  • Week 9 Topic 5: Cellular respiration, Activity 5: Cellular respiration story board
  • Week 10 Topic 6 Cell structure and function & Assessment 2 preparation
  • Week 11 Topic 7: Cell transport, Compulsory to attended and collect data for Assessment 2, Assessment 2: Practical report: Diffusion of glucose/starch across a membrane (7.5%)
  • Week 12 Topic 8: Cell reproduction, Prac 2 - : Mitosis under the microscope
  • Week 13 Topic 9: The immune system 1 (Normal response to trauma and infection & anatomy of the immune system), Prac 4: Inflammation and phagocytosis
  • Week 14 Topic 10: The immune system 2 (Killing invaders, cell mediated immunity & humoral immunity), Activity 7: Case study analysis and class discussion
  • Week 15 Mon 25th May Revision, Practice test discussion
  • Week 16 Mon 1st Jun Assessment week, Assessment 3: Test 1 – Topic 1 – 12 (15%)
     

Semester 2

Week 1 Introduction to Biomolecules,Structure and function: Nucleic acids
PRAC 1 - Preparing solutions-Biuret & Saturated SAS & Risk assessments


Week 2 DNA replication
PRAC 2 - Mini Prep (Kit) + RE digest  OR PRAC 3 - Electrophoresis of Dyes
Assessment 4 - Practical report Electrophoresis of dyes (Due week 4) 10%
 

Week 3 Structure and function: Proteins
Prac 2 - Mini Prep (Kit) + RE digest  OR PRAC 3 - Electrophoresis of Dyes
Assessment 4 - Practical report Electrophoresis of dyes (Due week 5)
 

Week 4 Structure and function: Enzymes
PRAC 4 - Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (5 point curve)


Week 5 Structure and function: Carbohydrates
PRAC 5a - Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (1 point curve and Calculation to determine final protein concentration)

Week 6 Structure and function: Lipids
PRAC 6 - Enzyme Lab
& PRAC 5b - Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (Calculation only to determine final protein concentration)
 

Week 7 Revision
PRAC 5c - Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (Calculation only to determine final protein concentration)
& Peer review of log books


Week 8 Exam week Assessment 5: Test 2 (25%)

Student vacation
 

Week 9 The Biochem laboratory and techniques
PRAC 6 - Carbohydrates
& PRAC 5d - Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (Calculation only to determine final protein concentration)

 
Week 10 Transcription
PRAC 7 - Fractionation of Milk
& PRAC 5e - Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (Calculation only to determine final protein concentration)
Assessment 6: Practical report Rapid Biuret Protein Determination 10%
 

Week 11 Translation
Practical Test: Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (Calculation only to determine final protein concentration)

Assessment 7 - Practical Test: Rapid Biuret Protein (S/NYS)


Week 12 Clinical Biochemistry 1
PRAC 8 - DNA Restriction enzyme digest electrophoresis (using plasmid RE digest from mini prep)
OR PRAC 9 - Spectrophotometric determination of DNA

 Week 13 Clinical Biochemistry 2
PRAC 8 - DNA electrophoresis (using plasmid RE digest from mini prep)
OR PRAC 9 - Spectrophotometric determination of DNA

 Week 14 Chemical communications: neurotransmitters & Logbook assessments


Week 15 Revision
Supplementary practical test  & Log book grading (face to face)
Assessment 8:  Log Book (S/NYS)
 

Week  16 Exam Week Assessment 9: Test 3 (25%)
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Introduction to General, Organic & Biochemistry (10th Edition) Bettelheim, Brown & March


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessments for this course typically consist of:
• Class activities
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Exams


Assessment Tasks

Semester 1
Assessment 1: Site visit report (7.5 %) Week 4
Assessment 2: Practical report: Diffusion of glucose/starch across a membrane (7.5%) Week 11
Assessment 3: Test 1 Topic 1 – 12 (15%) Week 16
Semester 2
Assessment 4: Practical report Electrophoresis of dyes (10%) Due week 5
Assessment 5: Test 2 (25%) Week 8
Assessment 6: Practical report Rapid Biuret Protein Determination 10% Due week 10
Assessment 7: Practical Test: Rapid Biuret Protein (S/NYS) Week 11
Assessment 8: Log Book (S/NYS)
Assessment 9: Test 3 (25%) Week 16

*Detailed outlines and instructions on blackboard


Assessment Matrix

See Blackboard

Other Information

Assessment Information


• This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also utilise graded assessment
CHD Competent with High Distinction (80 – 100%)
CDI Competent with Distinction (60 – 79%)
CC Competent with Credit (50 – 59%)
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded (0 – 49%)
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

• To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (exams, pracs, and assignments etc.) For example, if there are two exams you need to have an average of 50% to pass and you also need to have passed the other assessment types. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the exams but fail the prac component).


• Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) will not be corrected.


• APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK - A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.


• For missed assessments such as exams- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. It also occurs through enabling plagiarism, which is the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work. Please make sure you consider this carefully in completing all your work and assessments in this course and if you are unsure about whether you might have plagiarised, seek help from your teacher. 

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