Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2025

Course Code: ONPS7813C

Course Title: Perform molecular biology tests and procedures

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5434 - 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

anu.sharma@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

MSL973027 Perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination

MSL974034 Perform biological procedures

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge 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.

This unit applies to technical officers working in manufacturing (e.g. macro, micro, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical and blood products), food, biomedical (e.g. forensics, pathology and veterinary) and environmental industry sectors. Results are generally interpreted and reported to supervising scientists, medical, veterinary or other responsible officers of a workplace, regulatory authority or legal agency.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL975061 Perform molecular biology tests and procedures

Element:

1. Interpret and schedule test requirements

Performance Criteria:

.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 Register samples in accordance with workplace procedures, recording details that allow accurate tracking and chain of custody traceable to employee 2.2 Match sample provided to accompanying documentation and report any discrepancies in accordance with workplace procedures 2.3 Store samples in accordance with workplace and test method requirements

Element:

3. Prepare equipment and reagents

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Set up equipment/instrumentation in accordance with workplace procedures 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 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 4.7 Troubleshoot basic procedure, reagent or equipment problems which have led to atypical data or results

Element:

5. Report and communicate results

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Record and/or check data in accordance with workplace procedures 5.2 Follow procedures to ensure traceability of sample from receipt to reporting of results

Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Your primary learning mode will be online and face-to-face & will include a combination of lectures/tutorials, online activities and practical demonstrations.


Teaching Schedule

Note: If circumstances change, we may need to adjust this schedule. 
Link Announcements to your student email address to stay updated if there are alterations. 

 

WK

No

Week

starting

Topic

Comments

1

10th Feb


       Theory:

·         Cell structure

·         Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) structure

·         Cell cycle

·         Cell division – Mitosis

·         - review the module and complete practice quiz

 

·         Complete an online activity during class time :

·         Examine the stages of mitosis in the virtual slide box (https://histologyguide.com)

·         - review week 1 resources module and upload your drawings of the stages of mitosis to canvas LMS as EOP

·         practical manual in preparation for week 2 laboratory practicals and buy PPE

 

 

    No practical week 1. Practical lab sessions start week 2

2

17th Feb

Theory:

·         DNA replication

·         ·         Activities:

- understand how DNA extraction works

·         - discuss experimental controls

·         - review the modules & complete practice quiz

 

Skill building session 

 Practical: 

perform a crude DNA extraction (by the end of this practical you will see spools of extracted DNA

3

24th Feb

Theory class:

- Transcription

review the modules & complete practice quiz

 

 

Skill building session

 

Skill building session

·         Practical: Practice extracting plasmid DNA from bacteria. DNA can be moved from one organism to another using a type of vector called a plasmid

 

 

4

3rd March

Theory class:

 

Translation

review the modules & complete practice quiz

 

Skill building session

 

Practical: Learn how to make an agarose gel and prepare electrophoresis buffer

Practical: Practice separating plasmid DNA using gel electrophoresis

 

5

10th March

Theory class:

-review the module and complete the quiz

    Molecular biology techniques and applications to forensics (VNTRs, STRs, VNTR Electrophoresis and PCR)

·         ·         Activities:

- examine VNTR PCR gel electrophoresis result

 

 

 

  No Prac (Labour day Public Holiday)

6

17th  March

Theory:

·         Cancer

·         Nucleic acids 

·         - review the module & complete practice quiz

 

AT1 Practical Assessment 4a

pGLO transformation (cloning, biomolecules manipulation, controls)

 

 

7

24th March 


Theory: on campus AT2. Knowledge quiz TOPICS on the AT2 quiz – cell cycle, DNA extraction, mitosis, controls, DNA replication, transcription and translation, PCR, DNA profiling. STRS, conjugation & viral transduction- lytic and lysogenic, structure of a gene, start and stop codons, difference between codon and anticodon, RNA and DNA structural difference. GC versus AT bonds and bases, cause of cancerous tumour

AT1 Practical Assessment 

 4b

pGLO transformation (cloning, biomolecules manipulation, controls)

 

 

8

31st March

Theory :

·         Mitosis and Meiosis revision

·         Mendelian genetics

·         Monohybrid cross

. Sex Chromosome Karyotypes

Sex linked Genetics

Review the module & complete practice  quiz

AT1  Practical Assessment

Wheat germ DNA extraction and analysis

 

 

9

7th April

  Theory : on Campus AT2 Quiz Resit

AT1  Practical Assessment

plasmid DNA from bacteria (mini-prep)

 

 

 

10a

14th April

Theory    ·         Pedigree analysis

. Real Time PCR and Microarray

 

 

review the module & complete practice quiz

 

AT1  Practical Assessment

Prac 5a

Plasmid DNA digestion of plasmid from week 3 & week 9 (with positive control pGFP plasmid)

 

11

28th April

Theory :  

·         ·         Host cells, plasmids and vectors-viruses,

·         ·         Protoplasts, biolistics, restriction enzymes

·         - review the modules & complete practice quiz

 

AT1  Practical Assessment

Prac 5b

Gel electrophoresis of digested pGFP plasmid (with positive control pGFP plasmid)

 

 

12

5th May

Theory :

     ·         Genetically modified organisms (GMO) introduction

Human Genome Project (HGP)

·     Activities :

·         - analyse GMO PCR gel electrophoresis result

 

 

 

 AT1  Practical Assessment

 Real Time PCR

13

12th May

 Theory :

    

    ·         Gene libraries, Gene Therapy

               Mitochondrial DNA (mt DNA)

 

.

 

AT1  Practical Assessment

Microarray

14

19th May 

On campus AT4 theory quiz - Theory on campus Quiz AT3: Topics -human genome, mitochondrial DNA, cDNA libraries, GMO, microarray, agrobacterium tumefaction’s, vectors -virus, gene gun, liposomes etc. ethical issue associated with therapeutic and reproductive cloning.

AT1  Practical Assessment

 

GMO DNA extraction and PCR

15

26th May

On campus AT4 theory quiz : Resit

AT1  Practical Assessment

GMO PCR product agarose gel electrophoresis

16

And 17

2nd June/ 10th june

 

Ctch up session/ Logbook finalisation for AT1


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

All learning material and resources are provided within the Canvas LMS system.

Recommended textbook - not compulsory.

Title: Molecular Cell Biology

ISBN-10:0716723808

ISBN-13:9780716723806

Author: Harvey Lodish; David Baltimore; Arnold Berk

Publisher: W H Freeman & Co (Sd)

 

Many molecular biology textbooks are 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 to the RMIT library.

 

Also useful:

Tortora, Funke & Case. (2019, or earlier editions) Microbiology: An Introduction, latest edition, Pearson/ Benjamin Cummings ISBN-13: 9780134605180

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

ISBN-10: 0495554456


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include:

  • knowledge tests
  • practical skills test
  • practical logbooks
  • presentations
  • group work
  • research
  • lab reports
  • assignments

 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment details

    

 

    

Assessment task

Each task must be completed satisfactorily before Competence is achieved for the full subject/unit.

    

Due Date

    

Result
S (satisfactory)
NS (Not satisfactory)

    

Methods of Assessment include:

    

 

    

A. Direct Observation/
    Simulation Activities

    

B. Written/Verbal
    Questioning

    

C. Third Party
     Evidence

    

D. Portfolio/
     Product

    

E. Project/
    Report

    

 

    

F. Presentation

    

G. Role Plays

    

H. Practical  Demonstration

    

I. Other

    

 

    

EOP – MITOSIS LABELED DRAWINGS

    		 week 1

S/NS

    

AT1. LOGBOOK ENTRIES (A) (B) (D) (H)

    

Weekly

    

S/NS

    

AT2. KNOWLEDGE QUIZ (B)

    

Week 7

    

S/NS

    

AT3. KNOWLEDGE QUIZ (B)

    

Week 14 or 15

    

S/NS

    

 

Overview of assessments: Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through satisfactory completion of assignments, observation checklists, reports, and through the application of learned practical skills and knowledge skills. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS assignments module.

 

Assessment tasks: Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency. To be assessed as Competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. 

To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

 

For each assessment you will be given up to two (2) attempts, however, to be granted the second attempt at any assessment, your first attempt must be an appropriate attempt to try and gain a satisfactory outcome. For example, you must appropriately attempt each question or aspect of the assessment task.If your first attempt fails to meet the above standard, you may not be eligible for a second attempt at that task.A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic

Decision making rules

Every task must be completed satisfactorily for competence to be achieved.
Second attempt is not automatic and at the discretion of the teacher and/ or coordinator.

 

Assessment Information

CA = Competency Achieved

NYC = Not Yet Competent

DNS = Did Not Submit (1 or more assessments)

Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) will not be corrected.


Assessment Matrix

 The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required. 

Other Information

Attendance: Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. It is strongly advised that you attend ALL timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. 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.

 

Information about your studies: You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

 

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 in writing (email) to your Program Coordinator one working day BEFORE the due date. 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

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.

Special consideration: If due to illness or other unforeseen circumstance, you are unable to attend on the due date of an assessment (e.g. test, examination, oral, etc.), 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.

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism: 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

Reasonable adjustment

Reasonable adjustment is an individualised modification made to the training delivery or assessment methods to enable a student with specific needs to access and participate. Reasonable adjustment may include changed assessment conditions, flexibility in assessments, other academic support, and provision of adaptive equipment and in class support.

Reasonable adjustment is applied within the start date and end date for the subject/unit being undertaken.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview