Unit Guide

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Ian Paulsen ian.paulsen@mq.edu.au Contact via ian.paulsen@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 4
Prerequisites	Prerequisites Admission to MRes
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description Molecular biology is a central science in twenty-first century biology and biotechnology. Understanding the fundamentals of molecular biology is essential for many other fields in the life sciences, including microbiology, cell biology, immunology and development. Molecular biology makes a significant and increasing contribution to major sectors of our society including agriculture and medicine, and is also important in environmental science and forensics. In this unit we explore topics that allow students to obtain an advanced understanding of the mechanisms of molecular biology, including those of DNA replication and recombination, prokaryotic gene expression, eukaryotic gene expression, mobile elements, the functions of the nucleus, and epigenetics. We also address topics on the rapidly changing technologies in molecular biology, including those used in genome sequencing, metagenomics and microarray analysis. Practical sessions complement the lectures and provide students with hands-on experience with a range of critical laboratory skills including those required for DNA and RNA isolation, PCR and RT-PCR, cloning and bioinformatics. Students gain experience in working with both bacterial and eukaryotic systems in the laboratory classes so that their skills and experience are valuable for a variety of positions in both industry and research.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

Students will be proficient in the theory and practice of a range of molecular biology experimental techniques, including PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, gel electrophoresis, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, DNA sequencing and DNA hybridization.
Students will have a thorough understanding of essential molecular processes in the cell, especially as related to DNA and RNA. These molecular processes include transcription, translation, DNA replication, recombination, DNA repair, and transposition
Students will have an understanding of the revolutionary impact of genomics across all biological sciences
Students will also display evidence of good report-writing skills including appropriate scientific referencing.
Students will develop hands-on expertise at conducting bioinformatic analyses of genomic data
Students will develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, and written and oral presentation of scientific information

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Due
Essay	10%	14 May
Mid Semester Test	10%	Apr 30/May 1
Final Examination	45%	University Examination Period
Laboratory Reports	20%	April 16; Apr 23; May 28
Bioinformatics Report	10%	June 4
Problem Set	5%	June 4/5

Essay

Due: 14 May
Weighting: 10%

On successful completion you will be able to:

Students will have a thorough understanding of essential molecular processes in the cell, especially as related to DNA and RNA. These molecular processes include transcription, translation, DNA replication, recombination, DNA repair, and transposition
Students will have an understanding of the revolutionary impact of genomics across all biological sciences
Students will also display evidence of good report-writing skills including appropriate scientific referencing.
Students will develop skills in critical thinking and analysis, and written and oral presentation of scientific information

Mid Semester Test

Due: Apr 30/May 1
Weighting: 10%

On successful completion you will be able to:

Students will have a thorough understanding of essential molecular processes in the cell, especially as related to DNA and RNA. These molecular processes include transcription, translation, DNA replication, recombination, DNA repair, and transposition

Final Examination

Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 45%

On successful completion you will be able to:

Students will have a thorough understanding of essential molecular processes in the cell, especially as related to DNA and RNA. These molecular processes include transcription, translation, DNA replication, recombination, DNA repair, and transposition
Students will have an understanding of the revolutionary impact of genomics across all biological sciences
Students will also display evidence of good report-writing skills including appropriate scientific referencing.

Laboratory Reports

Due: April 16; Apr 23; May 28
Weighting: 20%

On successful completion you will be able to:

Students will be proficient in the theory and practice of a range of molecular biology experimental techniques, including PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, gel electrophoresis, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, DNA sequencing and DNA hybridization.
Students will have a thorough understanding of essential molecular processes in the cell, especially as related to DNA and RNA. These molecular processes include transcription, translation, DNA replication, recombination, DNA repair, and transposition
Students will also display evidence of good report-writing skills including appropriate scientific referencing.

Bioinformatics Report

Due: June 4
Weighting: 10%

On successful completion you will be able to:

Students will have an understanding of the revolutionary impact of genomics across all biological sciences
Students will also display evidence of good report-writing skills including appropriate scientific referencing.

Problem Set

Due: June 4/5
Weighting: 5%

On successful completion you will be able to:

Students will be proficient in the theory and practice of a range of molecular biology experimental techniques, including PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, gel electrophoresis, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, DNA sequencing and DNA hybridization.
Students will have a thorough understanding of essential molecular processes in the cell, especially as related to DNA and RNA. These molecular processes include transcription, translation, DNA replication, recombination, DNA repair, and transposition

Delivery and Resources

Classes

There are two weekly lectures of 1 hour (E6A102, 11am Wednesday; E7B100, 3 pm Thursday) and a weekly practical session of 3 hours (E7B349-350, 1 – 4pm Wednesday or 9am-12pm Thursday). In weeks 10 and 11, the practical class is replaced with a bioinformatic workshop. Attendance at practical sessions (and bioinformatic workshop) is a compulsory component of this unit. Lecture recordings and graphics slides are available online through iLearn (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/), although lecture attendance in person is highly recommended. The practical manual is also available online through iLearn.

Required and Recommended Texts

The course syllabus is defined by all of the subject material presented in lectures and practicals, much of which is beyond standard textbooks.

The prescribed text for this unit is Molecular Biology Fifth edition by Robert F Weaver. Available from the Co-op bookshop.

The following texts may also be useful and are available in the library:

GenesIX by Benjamin Lewin

The Lactose Operon by Beckwith and Zipser

Mobile Genetic Elements by Sherratt

Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual by Maniatis, Fritsch and Sambrook

An Introduction to Genetic Engineering by Des Nicholl

Technology Requirements

Within this Unit, you will be introduced to Web-based search engines that are commonly used in molecular biology. Our expectation is that you will be able to readily access the internet and have a computer available to you for web browsing and preparation of your laboratory reports. Handwritten reports will not be accepted. Your laboratory reports will be submitted and circulated via the online Turnitin program, for which access instructions will be given at submission time.

Your practical reports will require you to carry out minor computational tasks, for which a calculator and access to basic statistical tools will be required. We place a large emphasis on correct referencing style in all your reports, and use of the program EndNote is encouraged, but not essential.

What has changed?

The scope of the prac reports and the bioinformatics reports has been reduced.

Unit Schedule

Date	Lecture	Title	Lecturer
Mar 5	1	Introduction/What is Molecular Biology/Genome Structure	Haynes
Mar 6	2	Gene Organization/function	Haynes
Mar 12	3	Molecular Biology Techniques	Haynes
Mar 13	4	Molecular Biology Techniques	Haynes
Mar 19	5	Molecular Cloning	Haynes
Mar 20	6	Tools for studying Gene Activity	Haynes
Mar 26	7	Transcription in Prokaryotes	Paulsen
Mar 27	8	Structure of Prokaryotic Operons	Paulsen
Apr 2	9	Bacterial Gene Regulation	Paulsen
Apr 3	10	Transcription in Eukaryotes	Paulsen
Apr 9	11	Eukaryotic Gene Regulation	Paulsen
Apr 10	12	Nucleosomes/Histones/Chromatin	Paulsen
		Semester break
Apr 30	13	Messenger RNA splicing	Paulsen
May 1	14	Mechanism of Translation	Paulsen
May 7	15	Ribosomes and transfer RNA	Paulsen
May 8	16	DNA replication	Paulsen
May 14	17	DNA recombination	Paulsen
May 15	18	DNA repair	Paulsen
May 21	19	Mobile DNA elements	Paulsen
May 22	20	Mobile DNA elements	Paulsen
May 28	21	Genome Sequencing	Paulsen
May 29	22	Genomes, Pan-Genomes and Metagenomics	Paulsen
Jun 4	23	Bioinformatics and Genome Annotation	Paulsen
Jun 5	24	Functional Genomics and Systems Biology	Paulsen
Jun 11	25	Revision	Paulsen
Jun 12	26	Revision	Paulsen

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.