Course Title: Perform molecular biology tests and procedures

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2019

Course Code: BIOL5235C

Course Title: Perform molecular biology tests and procedures

School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5363 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4837

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

rowena.lavery@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 150

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:

 

MSL973007 Perform microscopic examination

MSL973004 Perform aseptic techniques

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the ability to isolate, purify, verify and manipulate biomolecules and their products. This work requires close attention to working with small volumes, multiple-step procedures and prevention of contamination. Personnel are required to apply a wide range of molecular biology tests and procedures.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	MSL975014 Perform molecular biology tests and procedures
Element:	1 Interpret and schedule test requirements
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Review test request to identify samples to be tested, test method and equipment/instruments involved 1.2 Identify hazards and workplace control measures associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and/or equipment
Element:	2 Receive and handle samples
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Log and label samples according to workplace procedures 2.2 Record sample description, compare with specification and note and report discrepancies 2.3 Store samples in accordance with workplace and test method requirements 2.4 Maintain chain of custody, traceable to the worker, for all samples
Element:	3 Prepare equipment and reagents
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Set up equipment/instrumentation in accordance with test method requirements and perform pre-use and safety checks 3.2 Select and collect reagents in accordance with test method requirements 3.3 Prepare and label reagents in accordance with test method requirements
Element:	4 Extract, verify and manipulate biomolecules
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Produce/extract biomolecules from samples using appropriate isolation methods 4.2 Prevent contamination of samples by unwanted biomolecules 4.3 Recognise the presence of common inhibitors of biomolecular reactions and take corrective action 4.4 Quantify and qualify biomolecular yields from purified extractions 4.5 Use appropriate techniques to prepare and test a range of biomolecular samples 4.6 Use controls and reference standards to confirm the integrity of biomolecular sample preparation and procedures
Element:	5 Process data
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Record test data noting atypical observations 5.2 Ensure results are consistent with reference standards and expectations 5.3 Record and report results in accordance with test methods 5.4 Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out-of-specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel 5.5 Troubleshoot basic procedure, reagent or equipment problems which 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 (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel 6.2 Minimise the generation of waste 6.3 Ensure the safe disposal of waste, including hazardous waste and tested samples 6.4 Clean, care for and store equipment and reagents
Element:	7 Report and communicate results
Performance Criteria:	7.1 Record approved data into workplace system 7.2 Keep accurate, traceable work records to protect the workplace's intellectual property (IP) rights 7.3 Maintain confidentiality and security of workplace information and laboratory data 7.4 Maintain equipment logs in accordance with workplace procedures

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

This course is run as a combination of face-to-face theory classes and practicals.

Teaching Schedule

Session	Week beginning	Topic/Activity/Assessment
SEMESTER 1
Week 1	11/02/2019	Tutorial: Cell structure, DNA Structure, Cell Cycle, Cell Division, Mitosis Practical: Mitosis
Week 2	18/02/2019	Tutorial: Cancer and Nucleic acids   Practical: Kiwifruit DNA extraction
Week 3	25/02/2019	Tutorial: DNA replication Practical: Wheat germ DNA extraction and analysis
Week 4	04/03/2019	Tutorial: Molecular biology techniques and applications to forensics Practical: PCR-based Alu-Human DNA Typing
Week 5	11/03/2019	Labour day – Bank holiday 2. PRACTICAL REPORTS (E) EXPERIMENTAL CONTROLS ASSIGNMENT PART A due Sunday 10th March by 11.59 pm
Week 6	11/03/2019	Tutorial: More on VNTRs and STRs, VNTR Electrophoresis, real-time PCR Practical:   Practical: VNTR PCR
Week 7	25/03/2019	Tutorial: Transcription and Translation VNTR Electrophoresis
Week 8	1/04/2019	3. MID-SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM (B)
Week 9	8/04/2019	Tutorial: Conjugation and Transformation Practical: real-time PCR
Week 10	15/04/2019	Tutorial: Transformation pGLO Practical: Transformation & Interpret real-time PCR results
	22/04/2018	Mid-semester break 2. PRACTICAL REPORTS (E) EXPERIMENTAL CONTROLS ASSIGNMENT PART B due Sunday 28th April by 11.59 pm
Week 11	29/04/2019	Tutorial: Viruses, protoplasts, biolistics, restriction enzymes. Practical: Blue/White Cloning of a DNA Fragment
Week 12	06/05/2019	Tutorial: Host cells, plasmids and vectors Practical: Mini prep pGFP
Week 13	13/05/2019	Tutorial: Screening recombinants. Replica plating, X-gal vectors, cont-phage and cosmids, YAC, BAC, phagemids. Practical: Biorad minprep
Week 14	20/05/2019	Tutorial: Lac Operon Practical: Plasmid digestion and electrophoresis practical.
Week 15	27/05/2019	SUBMIT and finalise logbooks in practical class: 1. WEEKLY PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES (A) (B) (D)(H)
Week 16/17	03/06/2019- 10/06/2019	4. END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM (B)
	17/06/2019 to 5/07/2019	Semester break
SEMESTER 2 starts
Week 1	8/07/2019	Tutorial: Mitosis and Meiosis review, Mendelian genetics, Monohybrid crosses Practical: Genetics of Barley   (PRESENTATIONS INTRODUCED 8/07/2019- 1 PRESENTATION PER WEEK UNTIL 7/10/2019)
Week 2	15/07/2019	Tutorial: Karyotypes Sex linked, co-dominant and incomplete dominant crosses Practical: Human genetics
Week 3	22/07/2019	Tutorial: Dihybrid crosses and Hardy Weinberg   Practical: Barr Body Practical 6. (a) PRESENTATION REPORT due via Turnitin Sunday 28th July by 11.59 pm
Week 4	29/07/2019	Tutorial: More sex-linked examples Practical: Vegie People 6. (b) PRESENTATION POWERPOINT due via Turnitin Sunday 04th August by 11.59 pm
Week 5	05/08/2019	Tutorial: Pedigree analysis Practical: Genetics of Corn
Week 6	12/08/2019	Tutorial: Linkage maps Practical: Assessment of Secretor Status
Week 7	19/08/2019	Revision
Week 8	26/08/2019	7. MID-SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM (B)
	2/09/2019	Mid-semester break
Week 9	09/09/2019	Tutorial: GMO introduction. Practical: GMO identification, PCR
Week 10	16/09/2019	Tutorial: Human Genome Project and Gene libraries Practical: Run PCR gel
Week 11	23/09/2019	Tutorial: Microarray Practical: Microarray Prac
Week 12	30/09/2019	Tutorial: Work on microarray practical reports Practical: Work on understanding microarray technology through worksheet.   8. PRACTICAL REPORTS (E) MICROARRAY PRACTICAL REPORT due Sunday 06th October by 11.59 pm
Week 13	07/10/2019	Presentations continued in class
Week 14	14/10/2019	Tutorial: Gene Therapy Practical: Computer assisted sequence analysis
Week 15	21/10/2019	SUBMIT: 5. SEMESTER 2 PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES (A) (B) (D) (H)
Week 16/17	28/10/2019- 8/10/2019	9. END OF SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM (B)

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

There are many molecular biology textbooks available online at RMIT Library e.g. Essentials of Medical Genomics by Sturt Brown and Plant Molecular Biology Manual by Stanton B Gelvin. Go to course resources module on canvas for links.

Also useful Tortora, Funke & Case. (2015) Microbiology: An Introduction, latest edition, Pearson/ Benjamin Cummings

Prescribed text: Human Heredity: Principles & Issues 8th Ed Cummings, M.R. Brookes/Cole 

Overview of Assessment

Practical reports

written tests

assignment

research report & presentation

laboratory logbook

Assessment Tasks

Assessment task Each task must be completed satisfactorily before Competence is achieved for the full subject/unit.	Due Date	Result S (satisfactory) NYS (Not yet satisfactory)	*Grades allocated
SEMESTER 1
SEMESTER 1 PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES	11/02-27/05	S/NYS	-
PRACTICAL REPORTS  EXPERIMENTAL CONTROLS ASSIGNMENT PART A EXPERIMENTAL CONTROLS ASSIGNMENT PART B	10/03 28/04	-	20 total
MID-SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM	1/04/2019	-	15
END OF SEMESTER 1 THEORY EXAM	03/06/2019	-	15
SEMESTER 2
SEMESTER 2 PRACTICAL LOG BOOK ENTRIES	8/07-21/10	S/NYS	-
(a) REPORT    (b) PRESENTATION POWERPOINT	28/07 04/08	-	10
MID-SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM	26/08/2019	-	15
PRACTICAL REPORT  MICROARRAY PRACTICAL REPORT	06/10/2019	-	10
END OF SEMESTER 2 THEORY EXAM	28/10/2019	-	15
			Total: 100

Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Decision making rules

Every task must be completed satisfactorily for competence to be achieved.
*Competence must be achieved before grades are allocated.

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 (70 – 79%)

CC Competent with Credit (60 – 69%)

CAG Competency Achieved – Graded (50 – 59%)

NYC Not Yet Competent (0 – 49%)

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 should be emailed to the Program Coordinator. 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, 5 days of the scheduled time of examination http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration

 

A minimum of 80% attendance at practical classes is required to pass this course. If you are sick you should submit a medical certificate to 6th floor office addressed to the Program Coordinator. If you miss a practical class that is a prac report write up you need to provide a medical certificate (or other evidence) and arrange an alternative report with your teacher

 

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