Course Title: Perform aseptic techniques

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2022

Course Code: BIOL5242C

Course Title: Perform aseptic techniques

Important Information:

Please note that this course may have compulsory in-person attendance requirements for some teaching activities.  

To participate in any RMIT course in-person activities or assessment, you will need to comply with RMIT vaccination requirements which are applicable during the duration of the course. This RMIT requirement includes being vaccinated against COVID-19 or holding a valid medical exemption.  

Please read this RMIT Enrolment Procedure as it has important information regarding COVID vaccination and your study at RMIT: https://policies.rmit.edu.au/document/view.php?id=209.  

Please read the Student website for additional requirements of in-person attendance: https://www.rmit.edu.au/covid/coming-to-campus  

Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see if this course requires mandatory in-person attendance. The delivery method of the course might have to change quickly in response to changes in the local state/national directive regarding in-person course attendance.  

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4397 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

Course Contact: Rauha Quazi

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4277

Course Contact Email: rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Andrea McAdam

andrea.mcadam@rmit.edu.au

Anu Sharma

anu.sharma@rmit.edu.au 

Nominal Hours: 40

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

None

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to perform aseptic techniques to maintain the integrity of both the sample source and the sample. It applies to sampling techniques in tissue culture and to generic microbiological procedures.
This unit of competency applies to laboratory assistants and technicians working in the field or laboratory in the biomedical, biological, food processing and environmental industry sectors. 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL973016 Perform aseptic techniques

Element:

1. Prepare for aseptic sampling or transfer

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Check the sampling procedure conforms with the required sampling plan

1.2 Use specified personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.3 Prepare the work area for safe and effective sample transfer

1.4 Select equipment and materials specified by the procedure

1.5 Organise equipment to minimise contamination during manipulations

1.6 Label containers for clear identification

1.7 Record details in relevant log or database

1.8 Macroscopically assess media and/or reagents to confirm sterility before use

Element:

2. Transfer materials aseptically

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Protect the integrity of the sample source

2.2 Sterilise inoculating loops and/or pipette where used to prevent contamination

2.3 Perform transfer while minimising opportunities for contamination and cross-infection

2.4 Protect the integrity of the sample source and destination after transfer, and before sealing the transport or culture vessel

2.5 Re-sterilise inoculating loops, minimising the generation of aerosols as required

2.6 Perform quality control checks to confirm aseptic transfer was successful

2.7 Label transport or culture vessels for clear identification

Element:

3. Maintain work area and equipment to prevent cross-infection and contamination

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Place disposable and reusable items into relevant receptacles

3.2 Clean and disinfect work area and equipment after use

3.3 Transport disposable and reusable contaminated materials to relevant areas for disinfection, sterilisation and cleaning or disposal

3.4 Follow personal hygiene procedures


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities include interactive online classes, practical laboratory exercises, and individual study


Teaching Schedule

Week

Date
Monday

Theory
L22M Mon 12:30-1.30pm 
L22N Wed 9:30-10.30am 

L22M Practical

L22N Practical

9

A1

5 Sep

A1-1 Intro to aseptic technique

A1-2 Samples for testing

ONLINE PRAC 1

in Collaborate
A2-1 Culture technique: lawn

L22N No practical class first week

10

A2

12 Sep

A2-2 Sterilisation & autoclaves

A2-3 Bacterial growth 

PRAC 1

Intro to aseptic techniques and lab

1. Using loop
2. Prepare lawn culture
3. Aseptic transfer

ONLINE PRAC 1
in Collaborate
A2-1 Culture technique: lawn

11

A3

19 Sep

A3-1 Media
Culture technique
streak for single colonies

ONLINE PRAC 2
in Collaborate

1. Streaking
2. Making media

PRAC 1

Intro to aseptic techniques and lab

1. Using loop
2. Prepare lawn culture
3. Aseptic transfer

 

12

A4

26 Sep

A3-2 Disinfection

A3-3 Cross-contamination

PRAC 2

Streaking & swabbing

1. Review results of PRAC 1
2. Streak for single colonies
3. Environmental sample

ONLINE PRAC 2
in Collaborate

1. Streaking
2. Making media

 

13

A5

3 Oct

A4-1 Gram staining

A4-2 Reading plates

ONLINE PRAC 3
in Collaborate

1. Describing colonies
2. Antibiotic resistance

 

PRAC 2

Streaking & swabbing

1. Review results of PRAC 1
2. Streak for single colonies
3. Environmental sample

14

A6

10 Oct

A5-1 Antibiotic susceptibility

PRAC 3

More streaking plus colony morphology

1. Review results of PRAC 2
2. Streak for pure culture
3. Describe colonies on media
4. Assessment practice: A4

ONLINE PRAC 3
in Collaborate

1. Describing colonies
2. Antibiotic resistance

15

A7

17 Oct

A5-2 Biosafety cabinets

Revision exercises to prepare for Knowledge Test

 AT1 Practical Assessment

 

PRAC 3

More streaking plus colony morphology

1. Review results of PRAC 2
2. Streak for pure culture
3. Describe colonies on media
4. Assessment practice: A4

16

A8

24 Oct

Online Quiz

[Catch-up labs and re-assessment 
if necessary]

 AT1 Practical Assessment


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessments will include observation of skills in the laboratory, logbook and theory test


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Practical
AT1 Lab skills assessment

Observed performance of laboratory tasks
Date: Week 15 and 16 (See Canvas Syllabus)

Assessment Task 2: Portfolio
AT2 Logbook and worksheets

Record of laboratory results (practical lab and online work)
Due: Submitted weekly; Last date for corrections is final week of course (See Canvas Syllabus)

Assessment Task 3: Knowledge
AT3 Theory test 

Summative online quiz – three attempts
Date: Week 16 (See Canvas Syllabus)


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment

CA Competency Achieved  
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

To pass the course you need achieve a satisfactory result for all assessments. Students may be given additional opportunities to demonstrate competence. 

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 (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-results/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application should be emailed to the program Coordinator (rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au). Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION (see below).

• For missed assessments such as tests- 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, 5 days of the scheduled time of the assessment (https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-results/special-consideration)

•  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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview