Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Michelle Power
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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. An A3 printout of your poster is the only assessment that will be provided in hardcopy (and via Turnitin). All assessments 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:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Learning Journal | 20% | Yes | Weeks 1-7 |
Exam (weeks 1-7) | 20% | No | Week 8 lectorial |
Laboratory techniques quiz | 0% | Yes | Week 8 |
Practical skills | 30% | Yes | weeks 9-11 |
One Health Day science fair | 30% | No | November 5 |
Due: Weeks 1-7
Weighting: 20%
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 (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 in instructions for these activities will be provided under weekly iLearn schedules and during weekly classes.
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: Week 8 lectorial
Weighting: 20%
An examination covering lecture and lectorial material from weeks 1-7 will be held in lectorial classes during week 8 (after mid-session break) or OCS 2. The exam will comprise multiple choice and short answer questions.
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
There will be an online quiz to test your understanding of the skills you will apply in practical classes associated with Scoop a Poop molecular methods.
The quiz is a hurdle and must be completed before you attend the practical. 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: weeks 9-11
Weighting: 30%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Assessed during practical classes in weeks 8-10 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 5
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, 2019
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). Submit a summary of your activity (group work).
3. Deliver activity in one of two sessions on Tuesday November 5, 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 and material presented in weekly lectures, lectorials and practical classes complement weekly themes.
Lectures
Weekly lectures provide broad overviews to the topics that we explore each week. 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 same week.
Lectorials
Weekly 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 weeks. 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.
Week | Date | Weekly topic | Practical topic |
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1 | Jul 30 | Introduction; Spectrum of symbiosis (recorded lecture only) | No prac / lectorial |
2 | Aug 6 | Bacteria / Bacteria interactions | Introduction, WHS, skills revision |
3 | Aug 13 | Animal plant interactions | Spectrum of Symbiosis |
4 | Aug 20 | Microbe-plant interactions | Grow your own nodules Ia |
5 | Aug 27 | Microbe - animal interactions | Grow your own nodules Ib |
6 | Sept 3 | Parasitism | Grow your own nodules II |
7 | Sept 10 | Epidemiology | Parasites in Tasmanian devils |
Recess | |||
8 | Oct 1 | Co-evolution | Scoop a Poop 1 |
9 | Oct 8 | Human infectious diseases | Scoop a Poop 2 |
10 | Oct 15 | Antibiotic resistance | Scoop a Poop 3 |
11 | Oct 22 | Virulence | Scoop a Poop 4 |
12 | Oct 29 | Summary | Science Fair prep |
13 | Nov 5 | 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
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Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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