Course Title: Perform biological procedures
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2024
Course Code: BIOL5246C
Course Title: Perform biological procedures
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
Course Coordinator (teacher)
Andrea McAdam
andrea.mcadam@rmit.edu.au
Room 51.7.05
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 1.2 Identify hazards and workplace 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 |
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 |
Element: |
3. Perform techniques that assist in the classification of organisms |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify characteristics used to classify organisms 3.2 Use dichotomous keys to identify organisms |
Element: |
4. Perform biological procedures |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Set up and use equipment and reagents in accordance with the method 4.2 Perform techniques in accordance with the standard operating procedures |
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 5.2 Minimise the generation of waste 5.3 Safely dispose of biohazardous wastes 5.4 Clean, care for and store equipment and reagents as required |
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 6.2 Ensure traceability of sample from receipt to reporting of results |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Teacher directed delivery of lessons
- Pre-readings and resources
- Laboratory techniques
- Keeping accurate records of laboratory work
- Simulated LIMS (laboratory information management system)
- Interactive activities to explore theory concepts and apply knowledge
Teaching Schedule
Week |
Date |
Knowledge Evidence |
Laboratory Practical Skills |
Assessments |
1 |
12 Feb |
TOPIC 1 |
Classifying organisms |
AT1 Knowledge Evidence |
2 |
19 Feb |
TOPIC 2 Organic molecules 1 Proteins |
PRAC 1 Lab orientation |
AT3 Procedure 1 Classification |
|
Skills assessment Classification | ||||
3 |
26 Feb |
Organic molecules 2 |
PRAC 2 Lab technique #1 |
|
4 |
4 Mar |
TOPIC 3 Controls & reference material |
PRAC 3 Lab technique #2 |
AT1 2 Legal, ethics, WHS (Prac 1) |
5 |
11 Mar |
MONDAY Public Holiday |
PRAC 4 Lab technique #3 |
|
6 |
18 Mar |
TOPIC 4 |
PRAC 5 Multistep procedure |
AT1 3 Controls (Topic 3 Qs) |
7 |
25 Mar |
Cells 2 |
PRAC 6 Skills assessment Procedure 2 Protein assay Spectrophotometry |
AT3 Procedure 2 Protein assay AT2 Pracs 3-6 (Lab Records-1) |
29 Mar - 7 April Mid-semester break [includes Easter] – No lab or theory
8 |
8 Apr |
Logbook & LIMS grading | feedback | AT1 KE Qs |
Catch up |
|
9 |
15 Apr |
Cells 3 |
PRAC 7 Electrophoresis #1 |
|
10 |
22 Apr |
Cells 4 |
THURSDAY Public Holiday |
AT1 4 Cells (Topic 4 Qs) |
11 |
29 Apr |
TOPIC 5 |
PRAC 8 Electrophoresis #2 |
AT3 Procedure 3
|
12 |
6 May |
Genetics 2 |
PRAC 9 Skills assessment Procedure 3 Electrophoresis |
AT2 Pracs 7-9 (Lab Records-2) |
13 |
13 May |
Genetics 3 |
Catch up |
AT3 Procedure 3 |
14 |
20 May |
Genetics 4 Inheritance patterns |
PRAC 10 Skills assessment |
AT1 6 Genetics (Topic 5 Qs) AT2 Prac 10 (Lab Records-3) |
15 |
27 May |
Forward thinking – where the course will lead you |
PRAC 11 EIA immunoassay Multichannel pipettes & serial doubling dilutions |
AT1 & AT2 |
16 |
3 Jun |
Last Chance – Finalise AT Required students only |
|
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may include quizzes, observation of laboratory skills, logbook & reports
Assessment Tasks
AT1 Knowledge Evidence
Sets of questions for each topic area that cover the theoretical concepts
Submit as indicated in Canvas
AT2 Lab Records
Logbook documentation of samples, work planning, results, calculations & interpretation
Submit as indicated in Canvas
AT3 Perform Skills
Classify organisms using dichotomous keys
Three observed multistep procedures: spectrophotometry, DNA electrophoresis, histological staining
Assessed ondates indicated in Canvas
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
To complete the course successfully, you need to achieve a satisfactory result for every assessment.
For each assessment you may have two attempts to demonstrate the required skills.
The teacher may only offer a third attempt after discussion with the Program Coordinator. It is not automatic.
Assessment Matrix
The assessment matrix demonstrates how assessment tasks align with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.
Other Information
This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment
This course is an ungraded competency-based unit of study.
The final outcome may be:
CA Competency Achieved
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Individual assessment tasks are marked Satisfactory | Not Satisfactory | Not Observed
To pass the course you need to achieve a satisfactory result for all assessments. Students may be given additional opportunities to demonstrate competence.
Attendance
If you are sick you should submit a medical certificate to the program coordinator and course coordinator/teacher.
If you miss an assessable practical class you need to provide a medical certificate (or other evidence).
If you miss a practical class that is a prac report write-up you need to arrange an alternative report with your teacher.
Submission of Assessment Tasks
You are expected to prepare all assignments and other written work in a professional manner. More information on general academic study and writing skills can be found on the “Learning Lab” http://emedia.rmit.edu.au/learninglab/.
Submit or perform all assessment tasks by their due dates.
You must keep a copy of all submitted assessments including electronic copies.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism including AI
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has certain restrictions in this course. Please refer to assessment instructions for guidelines on the conditions for the use of AI tools in assessments.
Extensions of Time for Submission of Assessable Work
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days by using the Extension tool in Canvas at least one working day before the due date. The Program Coordinator, not your teacher, will decide whether to grant the extension, and inform you if the application is approved.
If you need an extension of greater than seven days, you must apply for special consideration.
Special Consideration
If you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (eg test, practical assessment), because of illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you may submit an APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL CONSIDERATION within 5 working days of the due date. If Special Consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date. For advice on this application please visit www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration or speak to your Program Coordinator.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview