Course Title: Apply electrophoretic techniques
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2013
Course Code: ONPS5662C
Course Title: Apply electrophoretic techniques
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: amber.mitton@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 100
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
MSL973002A - Prepare working solutions OR MSL974001A - Prepare, standardise and use solutions
MSL974003A - Perform chemical tests and procedures.
Course Description
This unit of competency covers the ability to analyse samples using electrophoretic techniques. The unit also includes establishing client needs for routine and non-routine samples, optimising enterprise procedures and instruments for specific samples, obtaining valid and reliable data and reporting test results. Personnel are required to recognise atypical test data/results and troubleshoot common analytical procedure and equipment problems.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
MSL975008A Apply electrophoretic techniques |
Element: |
1. Establish client needs and schedule analysis |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1. Review test request to identify samples to be tested, test method and equipment/instruments involved |
Element: |
2. Prepare samples and standards |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1. Log samples using standard operating procedures (SOPs) |
Element: |
3. Set up and optimise instrument |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1. Set up equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements |
Element: |
4. Perform analysis |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1. Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements |
Element: |
5. Process and analyse data |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1. Record test data noting atypical observations |
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 |
Element: |
7. Maintain laboratory records |
Performance Criteria: |
7.1. Enter approved data into laboratory information management system |
Learning Outcomes
Details of Learning Activities
Lab classes and Record keeping
Lectures/Workshops
Team meetings
Presentations
Exams
Reports and Assignments
Online theory and quizzes
Research
Fieldtrips
Teaching Schedule
Program is subject to change
FOR LONG EXPERIMENTS THEORY & PRAC CLASSES ARE MERGED TOGETHER
Part 1 - DNA
8/4 8 Exam week
| Date (week of) |
week | THEORY (at home) |
PRAC 4 Hours | Assessment |
| 11/2 | 1 | Intro to Electrophoresis **On campus class** |
No lab class this week Bring a printout of the lab manual. Do calculations for week 2 solution making |
Week 1 quiz (in class) |
| 18/2 | 2 | Visualising DNA: 3 useful stains, Molecular weight markers, Gel concentrations |
Agarose Gels I: Frankenstein Gels - Separating DNA with different % gels. Preparing solutions - Agarose gel electrophoresis (calculations) |
Week 2 quiz |
| 25/2 | 3 | Quantifying DNA using agarose electrophoresis and fluorimeter methods. | Agarose Gels II How much & how pure is my DNA? (fluorimetry versus agarose gel determination) |
Week 3 quiz |
| 4/3 | 4 | Which allele(s) of Alu is in your DNA? How can you tell from the electrophoresis results? |
Electrophorese Mol Gen Alu PCR products gel electrophoresis |
Week 4 quiz |
| 11/3 | 5 | Electrophoresis of RNA (Northern Blotting); Electrophoresis of Genomic DNAs (Pulsed field gel electrophoresis, Southern Blotting) | 1. Pipetting Workshop (Eppendorf*) *Refresher - using pipettes *How to calibrate pipettes 2. Prac report 1 do activity in class – annotating gel photos |
Week 5 quiz Prac report 1 due – do and submit in class |
| 18/3 | 6 | Intro to DNA sequencing & Capillary Electrophoresis | DNA Sequencing* (AGRF Sequencing facility visit) |
Week 6 quiz |
| 25/3 | 7 | Revision (at home) | ||
| 29th Mar – 4th Apr Student vacation |
||||
| 8/4 | 8 | Exam week | TEST 1 |
|
| Part 2: Protein | ||||
| 15/4 | 9 | Protein Electrophoresis Types of gels: agarose, cellulose acetate, SDS-PAGE & MW calculations. |
1. Prepare solutions for protein agarose gel & SDS- PAGE. 2. Agarose Gel Electrophoresis of Serum Proteins (Helena Labs*) |
Week 9 quiz |
| 22/4 | 10 | Intro to SDS-PAGE, Calc size of proteins using SDS-PAGE |
ANZAC DAY (No Class) |
(No quiz this week) |
| 29/4 | 11 | Dotblot Immunoassay, Western transfer & Westernblot Immunoassay | Protein agarose Electrophoresis of Serum Haemoglobins (Helena Labs*) | Week 11 quiz |
| 6/5 | 12 | Quiz | SDS-PAGE of Albumin and ovalbumin. Prac Report 2 |
Week 12 quiz Prac Report 2 |
| 13/5 | 13 | Quiz | Record results from last week SDS-PAGE of Fish Proteins. |
Week 13 quiz |
| 20/5 | 14 | Quiz | Western Transfer and Blot of Fish Proteins. (BioRad*) |
Week 14 quiz (prac report due) |
| 27/5 | 15 | REVISION | No lab class - revision at home | |
| 3/6 | 16 | Exam Week | Test 2 | Test 2 |
| 10/6 | Alternative assessments (Special consideration only) | Alt Exam if required | ||
| Program is subject to change * To be confirmed |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Lab Manual - Term 1 (DNA) |
|
Resources available on Blackboard for this course |
References
Other Resources
Lab coat, Gloves, Safety goggles (some are available in the lab), Appropriate shoes.
Logbook (a bound book, NOT spiral) - it needs only to be short - 30 pages or so is sufficient.
A permanent marker.
Overview of Assessment
Assessments for this course typically consist of:
- Class activities
- Reports
- Presentations
- Exams
- Online Quizzes
- Logbook records of experiments
Assessment Tasks
#1
Assessment Task: Prac Report 1, Agarose Electrophoresis of DNA
Done (wk): 3
Due (wk): 5
% : 15%
#2
Assessment Task: Test 1
Done (wk): 8
Due (wk): on day
% : 25%
#3
Assessment Task: Prac Report 2, SDS PAGE of Albumin
Done (wk): 11
Due (wk): 13
% : 15%
#4
Assessment Task: Test 2
Done (wk): 16
Due (wk): on day
% : 25%
#5
Assessment Task: Logbook
Done (wk): all
Due (wk):each week/ submit in week 14
% : Satisfactory
#6
Assessment Task: Weekly Quizzes
Done (wk): A quiz most weeks
Due (wk): As advised in Blackboard
% : 20% AND must have an average pass for all quizzes.
#7
Assessment Task: Attendance/ In class observations
Meet 80% attendance requirement AND have satisfactory (competent) performance
Done (wk): all
Due (wk): all
% : Satisfactory
Total 100%
Assessment Matrix
Other Information
Important information about assessment
To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (tests, reports, assignments, quizzes, logbooks).
For example, there are two tests, so you need to have an average of 50% to pass AND you also need to have passed the other assessments as well. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (eg pass the tests but fail the prac reports).
This means:
• You need an average pass grade from all the quizzes to pass the course
• You need an average pass grade from both theory exams to pass the course
• You need to pass the logbook component of the course to pass the course.
If you miss a prac class you should provide a copy of your medical certificate or other evidence (court appearance, funeral notice, statutory declaration) to the teacher.
• You need to pass the prac reports to pass the course.
Students must attend at least 80% of practical classes. If you miss a prac class you should provide a copy of your medical certificate or other evidence (court appearance, funeral notice, statutory declaration) to the teacher.
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 on the web) at least the day before the due date
The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51
Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected, and therefore will receive a zero grade.
Students requiring longer extensions must apply for Special Consideration (form available on the Web)
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 at the HUB or online with supporting evidence (eg medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.
Do each week’s Quiz before the Lab class to help you prepare.
The quizzes are designed to help you prepare for each lab class. Each week you should read through the notes available from Blackboard as well as the lab manual and then do the quiz. The more preparation you do before class, the easier (and faster!) will be your lab experience, and you’ll learn a lot more too!
Each quiz is available from when it is released until the start of prac class time. Network or technical difficulties will not be accepted as a valid excuse for not having done the quiz, so…
…give yourself the best chance of getting the quiz done successfully:
• Use a computer with a reliable network connection
• Don’t leave the quiz till the last moment
• Make sure you know how to submit the quiz properly
• Ask the teacher if you are not sure if your quiz has been submitted
Remember that you need to pass the quizzes on average to be able to pass the course.
See the assessment section for full details.
Logbook Assessment
Your logbook must be signed off after completion each week by both the student AND the teacher.
The teacher will also signoff your logbook on the class sheet as a central record.
The central record is the evidence record that is required to show that your logbook has been signed off by you, the student, and the teacher.
IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET THEIR WORK SIGNED OFF EVERY WEEK.
(If you miss the class you do not need to get the sheet signed off – the teacher will record this as an absence). If a logbook is not signed off, that week’s grade will be NYC* unless you were absent.
*NYC = not yet competent
When is a lab performance considered “competent’ (ie when can a logbook be signed off)?
Logbooks will only be signed off when the student has followed and completed a method adequately, and is therefore considered competent for that experiment.
This is evidenced by:
THE LOGBOOK WILL ONLY BE SIGNED OFF BY THE TEACHER AFTER THE FOLLOWING:
1. Your performance during the lab class is satisfactory
2. Show date of analysis/results at top of page at start of experimental record in logbook,
3. Attach loose pages to logbook securely (use tape or staples),
4. Include raw and analysed results in logbook as appropriate to particular method (see lab manual)
5. You have cleaned up lab work area and equipment adequately
6. You have signed off logbook entry once record of results and the clean up are completed
IDEALLY THE LOGBOOK IS SIGNED OFF ON THE DAY OF THE EXPERIMENT.
If this is not possible due to time constraints (the teacher will let you know when this is the case), you can get the logbook signed off WITHIN 2 WEEKS of doing the experiment.
Attendance/Class observations
Students need to attend at least 80% of classes so that skills can be learned and practices, and so that sufficient observations to determine satisfactory (competent) lab work.
When is a prac performance considered “not yet competent’? (ie when will a logbook not be signed off?)
Performance will be considered to be ‘not yet competent’ for an experiment if:
• The Student doesn’t attend class long enough to complete the experiment
• The Student doesn’t finish the procedure in a reasonable time
(nominally by the time class finishes – excluding when there are logistic issues that mean few/no one in the class finishes).
• The student doesn’t contribute to the group effort adequately
• Results are a debacle – several errors/extensive lack of following SOP (method).
• The experiment is not conducted in a safe manner
• The lab area and equipment are not adequately cleaned up
In the case of a not yet competent result, it is noted that there is no opportunity to repeat that particular experiment due to scheduling of classes. In this case, to achieve competency other experiments during the course should be done to a ‘competent’ level and the student should show a good amount of improvement as semester goes along as evidenced by observations in class by the teacher.
Booklist
1. A logbook is required for this course to record all experimental details. The logbook must be brought to class each week and signed off by the teacher. The book needs to be a bound NON-SPIRAL exercise book.
Completion of experimental records in the logbook trains students how to keep good records that can be used as “proof of discovery”. These logbooks form legal documents that can be used to prove discovery for Intellectual Property & patenting purposes & thus form an important part of the electrophoresis course. Because pages can easily be ripped out of SPIRAL bound books, SPIRAL bound books ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. All loose pages should be attached to the logbook as soon as possible. This is so that important experimental records do not get lost. The logbook is to be submitted at the end of the semester – see the assessment guide.
2. Resources available from Blackboard including:
• Theory notes and worksheets
• Videos and diagrams that show each electrophoretic technique used in class
• Links to internet resources
• Online quizzes
Time Allowance for this course
The 100 nominal hours for this unit are allocated as follows:
theory at home
(1hr*7)+(1hr*5)+5 (week1) + 4 (week7) = 17
online weekly quiz
10 quizzes * 1.5hr = 15 hr
revision at home
2 * 5hrs = 10 hr
exams 1&2
2 * 2hr = 4 hr
prac
(7*4hr) +(3*5hr) = 43
fieldtrip
4hr
report write ups
2 * 3.5 = 7 hrs
Total Hours
100
Course Overview: Access Course Overview