Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Michelle Power
Contact via 9850 6974
E8A206
Caitlin Kordis
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp at 100 level or above including 9cp from BIOL units at 200 level or above
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
Symbiotic interactions underpin all biological systems. Symbiosis is defined as two (or more) species living together. Symbiotic interactions may be mutualistic, with both organisms benefiting from the partnership, or parasitic, where one of the partners is harmed. The association may be short-term or for the life of the organisms, with many symbiotic interactions essential for survival of the organisms. In this unit we explore diverse symbiotic partnerships spanning microbial, plant and animal taxa. We will investigate symbiosis in the context of biological roles and outcomes including health and disease of diverse taxa, co-evolution, and immunity. We will also address current issues of significance to symbiosis such as antibiotic resistance, emerging disease, ecosystem health and global change. Students who are interested in medical science, marine biology, conservation, evolution and ecology will enjoy this unit.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assessment details
Details of assessments will be provided on iLearn and in class.
Assignment submission
All assignments will be digitally submitted through the appropriate Turnitin submission link on iLearn. All assessments will be submitted via iLearn and need to be written in the students own words.
Academic honesty
All assessments need to be written in the students own words. The penalties imposed by the University for plagiarism are serious and may include expulsion from the University. ANY evidence of plagiarism WILL be dealt with following University policy. Penalties for plagiarism will be imposed for each assessment and clearly defined in marking guides. Further penalties imposed by the Faculty disciplinary committee may range from a loss of all marks and awarding of a zero depending on the circumstances.
Extensions, penalties and Disruptions to Studies
The deadlines for assignments are not negotiable. If an assignment is submitted late a penalty of -10% of the mark allocated for the assignment will be deducted per day that any work is submitted late (i.e. 5 days late = -50% of marks available).
If you experience a serious and unavoidable disruption to your studies and require an extension for an assessment please submit a Disruptions to Studies notification via ask.mq.edu.au with supporting documentation, and a Professional Authority Form completed by your health care professional. If you anticipate a potentially serious and unavoidable disruption (e.g. upcoming surgery) speak to the unit convenor early and apply for an extension before the due date.
Unit completion
To pass this unit, students need to achieve an overall minimum grade of 50% and attend a minimum of nine lectorial classes and nine practical classes and complete hurdle assessments. The work undertaken in lectorial and practical classes forms the basis of assessments and these cannot be completed without participation in relevant classes. A role will be taken for each class.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Learning Journal | 0% | Yes | Various - see iLearn |
Exam (weeks 1-7) | 15% | No | OCS 2 |
Experimental protocol | 20% | No | 9am October 2, 2018 |
Laboratory techniques quizzes | 10% | Yes | before OCS 2 |
Practical skills | 25% | Yes | OCS 2 |
One Health Day science fair | 30% | No | November 3 or OCS 3 |
Due: Various - see iLearn
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Completion of a series of tasks and activities associated with the weekly lectorial and practical sessions covered from weeks 1-7. These tasks will prepare you for lectorial activities and demonstrate laboratory competencies, some also report on lectorial outcomes.
Tasks are diverse and include reading and summarising concepts in papers and videos, answering questions and reflections. More information is detailed and instructions for these activities will be provided under iLearn schedules and during on campus sessions.
The online journal is a hurdle. You must complete all tasks to pass the unit. A serious attempt must be evident in your submission.
Due: OCS 2
Weighting: 15%
An examination covering lecture and lectorial material delivered in first 7 lectures and lectorials. This will be held during OCS 2. The exam will comprise multiple choice and short answer questions.
Due: 9am October 2, 2018
Weighting: 20%
In the first major practical task (Grow your own nodules) you examined the symbiotic associated between legumes and soil bacteria belonging to the Alpha-Proteobacteria e.g. Rhizobium. For this assessment you need to design a follow-up experiment to test the host specificity of Rhizobium and to demonstrate that Rhizobium are integral to the development of the nodules. You will need to develop hypotheses, predictions, brief experimental protocol and define what data will be collected. We will provide a template for this assessment.
Due: before OCS 2
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
There will be two online quizzes that will test your understanding of the skills you will apply in practical classes associated with molecular methods.
The quizzes must be completed before you attend the practical and a mark of 65% must be achieved (you will get two attempts). The aim is for you to demonstrate that you understand the processes you are applying in the practical class. If you do not complete or pass the quiz you will not be able to participate in the practical class.
Due: OCS 2
Weighting: 25%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Assessed during practical classes on ability to execute lab skills for DNA extraction and PCR. These activities require attention to detail, correct and precise pipetting skills, and ability to follow long protocols correctly. We will test you one these skills in the practical class as you perform each. A checklist of the various aspects that we will assess will be provided. You must obtain a 50% mark in these skills to pass the unit.
Due: November 3 or OCS 3
Weighting: 30%
The culmination of the second half of the session and work you have done across the unit on antibiotic resistance will end with a science fair showcasing issues of antibiotic resistance to the University community. This activity will be registered as Global One Health Event: https://www.onehealthcommission.org/en/events/one_health_day/ and will occur the week before Antibiotic Awareness Week 12-18 November, 2018
In a small group you will need to identify activities to showcase an issue of antibiotic resistance. We will decide as a class, if you would like to make a general approach to the topic or a specific theme. As part of the process you will need to
1. Interview people to gauge their knowledge of the issue (individual work).
2. Develop an activity as a group. Time will be allocated in lectorials as well as your outside of class study time (group work).
3. Deliver activity in one of two sessions on Tuesday November 3, in the Biology Courtyard (group work).
4. Reflective report - outcome of interviews and reflection on group activity ((individual work)
DELIVERY
BIOL364 is divided into themes. The material presented in 12 lectures, 12 lectorials and 8 practical classes complement weekly themes.
Lectures
Lectures provide broad overviews to the topics that we explore. The lecture material complements material presented in practical classes and lectorials. To ensure that your performance and understanding of material on practicals and lectorials is optimal, we expect you to attend the lectures or listen to them before the lectorial and practical classes of the weekly topic. Failure to do so will mean that you may not understand concepts presented within lectorials and practicals.
Lectorials
The lectorials delve deeper into the weekly unit themes. Lectorials comprise mini-lectures that are accompanied by small group tasks. Activities in the lectorial form the basis of content for your learning journal assessment.
Practical classes
There are three major practical themes that will be covered in BIOL364. Practicals will run for several practical sessions. Some material required for the learning journal will be gathered in practical classes, and major assessments are based on practical activities.
Dress for laboratory sessions
RESOURCES
There are no required text books for BIOL364 Symbiosis in Health and Disease. we will provide references to many research papers that will assist with weekly unit themes.
OCS | Date | Lecture / lectorial | Practical topic |
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1 | Aug 18 | Introduction; Spectrum of symbiosis | Introduction, WHS, skills revision |
1 | Aug 18 | Bacteria / Bacteria interactions | Spectrum of Symbiosis |
1 | Aug 19 | Animal plant interactions | Grow your own nodules |
1 | Aug 19 | Microbe-plant interactions | |
2 | Sept 20 | Microbe - animal interactions | Scoop a Poop I |
2 | Sept 21 | Parasitism | Scoop a Poop II |
2 | Sept 21 | Epidemiology | Parasites in Devils |
2 | Sept 22 | Antibiotic resistance | Prep towards science fair |
3 | Oct 20 | Co-evolution | Co-evolution |
3 | Oct 20 | Human infectious diseases | Prep towards science fair |
3 | Oct 21 | Virulence | Prep towards science fair |
Nov 3 | One Health Science fair | Science fair |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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The assessments have been changed since the first offering in 2018 to better reflect the learning outcomes of the unit.
Date | Description |
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17/07/2018 | Schedule amended - OCS dates changed tom Aug 19 and 20 to 18 and 19. Mid-semester exam - examinable content changed from weeks 1-6 to 1-7. |
11/07/2018 | The mid-semester exam conditions were altered to include content from weeks 1-7 |
09/07/2018 | Requirement to bring lab coat added. Disposable lab coats, or alternatives, will not longer be provided. |