Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: ONPS7817C

Course Title: Apply electrophoretic techniques

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

Renu Shankar

renu.shankar@rmit.edu.au

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

MSL974032 Perform chemical tests and procedures

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to analyse samples using electrophoretic techniques. The unit also includes establishing client needs for routine and non-routine samples, optimising workplace 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.

This unit of competency applies to laboratory technical officers working in all industry sectors. All operations and analytical methods must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or workplace requirements. Although a supervisor may not always be present, the technician will follow workplace procedures that clearly describe their scope of permitted practice, including varying workplace/test procedures and communicating results to people outside the laboratory.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	MSL975065 Apply electrophoretic techniques
Element:	1. Establish client needs
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Liaise with client or sample provider to determine client needs and sample history 1.2 Match sample provided to accompanying documentation and report any discrepancies in accordance with workplace procedures 1.3 Identify non-routine samples and the possible need to vary workplace procedures 1.4 Seek advice from supervisor about any proposed variations and document all approved changes
Element:	2. Prepare samples and standards
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Obtain a representative analytical portion of the laboratory sample 2.2 Prepare sample in accordance with testing requirements 2.3 Prepare validation checks for analytical portion
Element:	3. Set up and optimise instrument
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with workplace procedures 3.2 Start up and condition the instrument in accordance with workplace procedures 3.3 Optimise instrumental parameters to suit sample and test requirements 3.4 Check calibration status of instrument and perform any required calibration using specified standards and procedures 3.5 Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with workplace procedures
Element:	4. Perform analysis
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Measure analyte response for standards, validation checks and samples 4.2 Conduct sufficient measurements to obtain reliable data 4.3 Return instruments to standby or shutdown condition in accordance with workplace procedures
Element:	5. Process, analyse and record data
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Confirm data is the result of valid measurements 5.2 Perform required calculations and ensure results are consistent with standards or estimations and expectations 5.3 Record results with the appropriate accuracy, precision and units 5.4 Analyse trends in data and/or results and report out-of-specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel 5.5 Troubleshoot analytical procedure or equipment problems which have led to atypical data or results 5.6 Follow procedures to ensure traceability of sample from receipt to reporting of results

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities include: theory classes, class exercises to review theory, videos, discussions, quizzes and laboratory experiments 

Teaching Schedule

While all course content in this schedule will be covered, the weekly order may change depending on class needs and availability of speakers and resources. 

Week	Date	Theory	Lab	Learning activity / Assessment
1	8-Jul	Intro to course & assessments Intro to electrophoresis	LAB 1: Safety, Solution preparation & Gel annotation	Leaning Activity
2	15-Jul	Optimisation & Traceability	LAB 2: Optimisation of gel %	AT3: Logbook Record
3	22-Jul	Agarose gel electrophoresis & applications	LAB 3: Assessment Lab 1 Sample Preparation for Lab 4
4	29-Jul	Intro to Protein chemistry	LAB 4: Assessment Lab 1 Electrophoresis of DNA samples
5	5-Aug	Clinical applications of gel electrophoresis	LAB 5: Assessment Lab 1 Analysis of Results
6	12- Aug	AT1: Knowledge quiz - Part 1 On campus assessment	LAB 6: Logbook review of assessment lab 1	AT1: Knowledge quiz AT2.1 - DNA electrophoresis
7	19- Aug	Protein electrophoresis	LAB 7: Electrophoresis of haemoglobin	Leaning Activity
8	26-Aug	Second attempt for AT1: Part 1 quiz	LAB 8: Assessment Lab 2 Electrophoresis of serum proteins
9	9-Sep	Introduction to SDS PAGE	LAB 9: Logbook Review of assessment lab 2	AT2.2: Serum Protein electrophoresis
10	16-Sep	Troubleshooting SDS PAGE gels	LAB 10: Protein separation using SDS PAGE	Leaning Activity
11	23-Sep	Western Blotting	LAB 11: Analysis of SDS PAGE results	Leaning Activity
12	30-Sep	Technological Advances	LAB 12: Assessment Lab 3 SDS PAGE of fish proteins
13	7-Oct	Revision	LAB 13: Assessment Lab 3 cont. Western blotting & Analysis of Results
14	14-Oct	On campus assessment AT1: Knowledge quiz - Part 2	LAB 14: Logbook Review of assessment lab 3	AT1: Knowledge quiz – Part 2 AT2.3: Fish Protein electrophoresis
15	21-Oct	Second attempt for AT1: Part 2 quiz	LAB 15: Catch-up Lab
16	28-Oct	Assessment Finalisation	Assessment Finalisation

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

There is no prescribed text. The text below has good information about both Electrophoresis and Chromatography Techniques and is available in the library . Boyer R (2006) Biochemistry Laboratory Modern Theory and Techniques, Benjamin Cummings Carlton Library Call No. 572.078 B791

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include:

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

 

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. 

Assessment task	Due Date
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Quiz x 2	Weeks 2 and 14
Assessment Task 2: Electrophoretic Techniques
AT2.1: DNA electrophoresis	Weeks 6
AT2.2: Serum Protein electrophoresis	Week 9
AT2.3: Fish Protein electrophoresis	Weeks 14

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

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment

• CA Competency Achieved
• NYC Not Yet Competent
• DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

To successfully complete the course, you need to achieve a satisfactory result for every assessment. 

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

Attendance: 

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. 
 
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 unable to submit an assessment on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days. The application must be completed via the “Assessment extension” tool in Canvas at least one working day before the assessment deadline

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 & 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  

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.

Use of 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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview