Course Title: Perform biological procedures
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2019
Course Code: BIOL5246C
Course Title: Perform biological procedures
School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science
Campus: City Campus
Program: C4397 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Course Contact: Amber Mitton
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5083
Course Contact Email: amber.mitton@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Paul Burgio
paul.burgio@rmit.edu.au
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
None
Course Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to interpret work requirements, prepare samples, and perform routine biological procedures. These procedures may involve several steps and are used to classify organisms and biologically active compounds by analysing their biological and/or chemical characteristics. This unit includes interpretation of results and troubleshooting obvious departures from standard procedures.
This unit of competency applies to technical assistants working in the biomedical, environmental, biotechnology and education industry sectors.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSL974021 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 |
Element: |
2. Receive and prepare biological samples |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Log samples using standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
Element: |
3. Perform techniques that assist in the classification of organisms |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify characteristics used to classify organisms |
Element: |
4. Perform biological procedures |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Set up and use equipment and reagents in accordance with the method |
Element: |
5. Maintain a safe work environment |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel |
Element: |
6. Maintain laboratory records |
Performance Criteria: |
6.1 Record entries on report forms or into a laboratory information management system, accurately calculating, recording or transcribing data as required |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Teacher directed delivery of lessons
• Class discussion
• Case study analysis
• Laboratory experiments
• Record keeping of experiments
• Research activities
• Site visit
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Date | Topic | Activity | Assessment | |
| 1 | 8/7 | Topic 1 – Classification, taxonomy and biological systems |
Tutorial 1 - Field trip preparation |
Portfolio Section 1- Carbon cycle and energy cycle worksheet | |
| 2 | 15/7 | Topic 2 – Animal and plant cells | Field trip to Carlton gardens to complete Portfolio Section 2 | Portfolio Section 2 – Dichotomous key classification | |
| 3 | 22/7 | Topic 3 - Animal and plant tissue types | Tutorial 2 - Plant and animal cell modelling |
Portfolio Section 3 – Image of plant and animal cell & questions AT1 Portfolio (P1, P2 and P3) due 4th August 2019 |
|
| 4 | 29/7 | Topic 4 – Organic molecules 1 (Characteristics of organic molecules & Proteins) | PRAC 1a Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (1 of 5) |
Logbook 1 – Record results, Levy Jennings graph, LIMS entry |
|
| 5 | 5/8 | Topic 5 – Biochem lab and controls | PRAC 1b x2 Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (2 & 3 of 5) | Logbook 2 – Record results, Levy Jennings graph, LIMS entry and control/certified ref materials questions | |
| 6 | 12/8 |
Topic 6 – Organic molecules 2 (Carbohydrates and fats) |
PRAC 1b x2 Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method (4 & 5 of 5) Peer review of log books |
Logbook 3 – Record results, Levy Jennings graph, LIMS entry | |
| 7 | 19/8 | Quiz 1 - Organic molecules 1 & 2, animal and plant tissue types | Skills demonstration: Rapid Spectrophotometric Protein Determination Biuret Method |
AT3- skills demonstration- Biuret method during practical class AT4a Quiz 1 – Due Sunday 25th August |
|
| 8 | 26/8 | Log book grading and feedback | Supplementary skills demonstration |
AT2a Logbook Due in theory class for face to face grading and feedback |
|
| 2/9 | Student break | ||||
| 9 | 9/9 |
Topic 7 – Cell membrane and transport |
PRAC 2 - Diffusion across a semipermeable membrane |
Logbook 4 – Record results and answer questions |
|
| 10 | 16/9 | Topic 8 – Cell cycle, mitosis & meiosis |
PRAC 3 - Onion tip prac & meiosis activity |
Logbook 5 – Record results and answer questions | |
| 11 | 23/9 | Field trip week | |||
| 12 | 30/9 | Topic 9 - Organic molecules 3 (Chromosomes and nucleic acids) | Tutorial 3 – Nucleic acid modelling | Logbook 6 – Image of nucleic acid model | |
| 13 | 7/10 | Topic 10 – Organic molecules 4 (biologically significant ions) |
PRAC 4 Mini prep and restriction digest |
Logbook 7 – Record results and answer questions | |
| 14 | 14/10 | Topic 11 – Genetics |
PRAC 5 DNA: DNA Electrophoresis OR Tutorial 4 – Genetics |
Logbook 8 - Record results and answer questions for Prac 5 OR Logbook 9 - Record results and answer questions for Tutorial 4 |
|
| 15 | 21/10 | Quiz 2 – Genetics, biologically significant ions |
PRAC 5 DNA: DNA Electrophoresis OR Tutorial 4 – Genetics |
Logbook 8 - Record results and answer questions for Prac 5 OR Logbook 9 - Record results and answer questions for Tutorial 4 AT4b – Quiz 2 Due Sunday October 20th |
|
| 16 | 28/10 | Log book assessment and feedback | Log book assessment and feedback |
AT2b Logbook Due in class for face to face grading and feedback |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may include quizzes, observation of laboratory skills, logbook & reports
Assessment Tasks
| Assessment task | Due date |
| AT1- Portfolio sections 1-3 | 4/8 |
| AT2a- Logbook | Week 8 |
| AT2b- Logbook | week 16 |
| AT3- skills demonstration | Week 7 |
| AT4- Quiz 1 | 25/8 |
| AT4- Quiz 2 | 20/10 |
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 (http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application should be emailed to the program Coordinator (amber.mitton @rmit.edu.au). Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.
• 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 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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