Students
BIOL364 – Symbiosis in Health and Disease
2019 – S2 External
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Lecturer
Michelle Power
Contact via 9850 6974
E8A206
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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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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:
- Differentiate key taxonomic groups of commensal, mutualisitc and parasitic organisms
- Critique origins of endosymbiotic organelles
- Identify and differentiate symbiotic and pathogenic interactions
- Identify trends which have moulded the evolution of pathogens and parasites
- Identify how interactions with other microbial communities affects disease susceptibility
- Communicate human impacts on symbioses to stakeholders
- Competently apply laboratory tests to detect disease agents
General Assessment Information
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.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Journal | 20% | Yes | Various dates - see iLearn |
| Laboratory techniques quizzes | 0% | Yes | before OCS 2 |
| Practical skills | 30% | Yes | OCS 2 |
| Exam (weeks 1-7) | 20% | No | OCS 3 |
| One Health Day science fair | 30% | No | November 5 or OCS 3 |
Learning Journal
Due: Various dates - see iLearn
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 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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Differentiate key taxonomic groups of commensal, mutualisitc and parasitic organisms
- Critique origins of endosymbiotic organelles
- Identify and differentiate symbiotic and pathogenic interactions
- Identify how interactions with other microbial communities affects disease susceptibility
Laboratory techniques quizzes
Due: before OCS 2
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
There will be an online quiz that will test your understanding of the skills you will apply in practical classes associated with molecular methods.
The quiz 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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Competently apply laboratory tests to detect disease agents
Practical skills
Due: OCS 2
Weighting: 30%
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.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Competently apply laboratory tests to detect disease agents
Exam (weeks 1-7)
Due: OCS 3
Weighting: 20%
An examination covering lecture, lectorial and practical material delivered in first seven weeks of the unit. This will be held during OCS 2. The exam will comprise multiple choice and short answer questions.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Differentiate key taxonomic groups of commensal, mutualisitc and parasitic organisms
- Critique origins of endosymbiotic organelles
- Identify and differentiate symbiotic and pathogenic interactions
- Identify trends which have moulded the evolution of pathogens and parasites
One Health Day science fair
Due: November 5 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 5, in the Biology Courtyard (group work).
4. Reflective report - outcome of interviews and reflection on group activity ((individual work)
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Identify and differentiate symbiotic and pathogenic interactions
- Identify trends which have moulded the evolution of pathogens and parasites
- Identify how interactions with other microbial communities affects disease susceptibility
- Communicate human impacts on symbioses to stakeholders
Delivery and Resources
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
- You must wear sturdy shoes that cover your feet.
- You must bring and wear a lab coat to protect your clothes.
- Disposable lab coats will no longer be provided nor are any other lab coats available.
- Although the material that we will use has been rendered non-infectious good laboratory practice of wearing protective clothing when working with organisms that potentially cause disease is required. ALWAYS wash hands before leaving laboratory.
- PLEASE NOTE:
- No coat = no class
- Inappropriate shoes (covered) = no laboratory access
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.
Unit Schedule
| OCS | Date | Lecture / lectorial | Practical topic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 17 | Introduction; Spectrum of symbiosis | Introduction, WHS, skills revision |
| 1 | Aug 17 | Bacteria / Bacteria interactions | Spectrum of Symbiosis |
| 1 | Aug 18 | Animal plant interactions | Grow your own nodules |
| 1 | Aug 18 | Microbe-plant interactions | Science fair planning |
| 2 | Sept 19 | Microbe - animal interactions | Scoop a Poop I |
| 2 | Sept 19 | Parasitism | Scoop a Poop II |
| 2 | Sept 20 | Epidemiology | Parasites in Devils |
| 2 | Sept 20 | Antibiotic resistance | Prep towards science fair |
| 3 | Oct 19 | Co-evolution | Mid-semester exam |
| 3 | Oct 20 | Human infectious diseases | Prep towards science fair |
| 3 | Oct 20 | Virulence | Prep towards science fair |
| Nov 5 / OCS3 | One Health Science fair | Science fair |
Policies and Procedures
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
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).
Student Code of Conduct
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
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment tasks
- Learning Journal
- One Health Day science fair
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
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:
Learning outcome
- Communicate human impacts on symbioses to stakeholders
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Differentiate key taxonomic groups of commensal, mutualisitc and parasitic organisms
- Critique origins of endosymbiotic organelles
- Identify and differentiate symbiotic and pathogenic interactions
- Identify trends which have moulded the evolution of pathogens and parasites
- Identify how interactions with other microbial communities affects disease susceptibility
- Competently apply laboratory tests to detect disease agents
Assessment tasks
- Learning Journal
- Laboratory techniques quizzes
- Practical skills
- Exam (weeks 1-7)
- One Health Day science fair
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Differentiate key taxonomic groups of commensal, mutualisitc and parasitic organisms
- Identify and differentiate symbiotic and pathogenic interactions
- Identify trends which have moulded the evolution of pathogens and parasites
- Identify how interactions with other microbial communities affects disease susceptibility
- Competently apply laboratory tests to detect disease agents
Assessment tasks
- Learning Journal
- Practical skills
- Exam (weeks 1-7)
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Identify how interactions with other microbial communities affects disease susceptibility
- Competently apply laboratory tests to detect disease agents
Assessment task
- Learning Journal
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Critique origins of endosymbiotic organelles
- Communicate human impacts on symbioses to stakeholders
Assessment tasks
- Learning Journal
- Exam (weeks 1-7)
- One Health Day science fair
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Communicate human impacts on symbioses to stakeholders
Assessment task
- One Health Day science fair
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Communicate human impacts on symbioses to stakeholders
Assessment task
- One Health Day science fair
Changes from Previous Offering
The assessments have been changed since the first offering in 2019 to better reflect the learning outcomes of the unit.