Course Title: Perform biological procedures
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2023
Course Code: BIOL5246C
Course Title: Perform biological procedures
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: C5388 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology
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
Course Coordinator (teacher)
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.
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
Class schedule Semester 1, 2023*
Week |
Date |
Theory |
Laboratory Practical Skills |
Assessments |
1 |
6 Feb |
Topic 1 |
Lab 1 Introduction |
AT1 = Theory questions |
2 |
13 Feb |
Topic 2 |
Lab 2 Dichotomous keys #1 Create & use dichotomous keys |
|
3 |
20 Feb |
Topic 3 |
Lab 3 Dichotomous keys #1 Apply dichotomous keys to identify organisms |
AT2 Logbook dichotomous keys |
4 |
27 Feb |
Topic 4 Organic molecules 1 – Proteins |
Lab 4 Protein assay #1 |
|
5 |
6 Mar |
Topic 5 |
Lab 5 Protein assay #2 |
AT1 Topics 1-4 Qs |
6 |
13 Mar |
Public holiday NO MONDAY classes– no theory this week |
Lab 6 Protein assay #3 |
|
7 |
20 Mar |
Topic 6 |
Lab 7 Protein assay #4 |
|
8 |
27 Mar |
Topic 7 |
Lab 8Protein assay #5 |
AT2 Logbook protein assays & L-J QC AT3 Protein assay skills |
9 |
3 Apr |
Logbook & LIMS grading | feedback | AT1 questions |
Lab 9 Catch up |
|
7-14 Apr |
Student vacation – No lab or theory |
|
||
10 |
17 Apr |
Topic 8 |
Lab 10 Electrophoresis #1 |
AT1 Topics 6-7 Qs |
11 |
24 Apr |
Topic 9 |
Lab 11 Electrophoresis #2 |
|
12 |
1 May |
Topic 10 |
Lab 12 Electrophoresis #3 |
AT1 Topics 8-9 Qs AT3 Electrophoresis skills |
13 |
8 May |
Topic 11 |
Lab 13 |
AT2 Logbook records electrophoresis |
14 |
15 May |
Review and forward thinking – where the course will lead you |
Lab 14 Enzyme immunoassay Multichannel pipettes & serial doubling dilutions |
AT1 Topics 10-11 Qs |
15 |
22 May |
Logbook feedback | AT1 Qs |
Lab 15 Stain biological samples
|
AT1 & AT2 Final corrections |
16 |
29 May |
Last Chance – Finalise AT1 Qs Required students only |
|
|
* Schedule may need to change if something unexpected happens.
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Assessment may include
reports
logbook
folio of completed tasks
observation of laboratory skills
Assessment Tasks
AT1 – Knowledge evidence questions
AT2 – Logbook & LIMS records
AT3 – Demonstrate laboratory skills
Dichotomous key classification
Protein assay
DNA electrophoresis
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.
Any work submitted for assessment in this course must be your own. RMIT University has a strict policy on academic integrity and plagiarism. 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. More information on this policy can be found at www.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity.
This course assessments conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies and procedures which are described and referenced at www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment
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 filling in the application form at least one working day BEFORE the due date. The application form should be emailed to your Program Coordinator, Rauha Quazi rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au
Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
If you need an extension of greater than seven days, you must apply for Special Consideration.
Special consideration
If you are unable to sit a test, exam or lab-based assessments due to unexpected circumstances (e.g., illness), you should apply for Special Consideration for the missed assessment within 5 working days of the due date.
Find information about applying for Special Consideration at the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration. Do not submit Special Consideration applications to the Course or Program Coordinator.
If Special Consideration is granted, you will be given the opportunity to complete/repeat the assessment task at a later date.
Course Overview: Access Course Overview