Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, any references to assessment tasks and on-campus delivery may no longer be up-to-date on this page.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Distinguished Professor
Ian Paulsen
Contact via 9850 8152
14 Eastern Road Room 202
Professor
Paul Haynes
Contact via 9850 6258
E8C 309, 6 Wally's Walk
Senior Technical Officer
Ray Duell
Contact via 9850 8184
Room 103 14 Eastern Road
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to GradDipBiotech or GradCertLabAQMgt or GradDipLabAQMgt or MBiotech or MBioBus or MLabAQMgt or MRadiopharmSc or MSc or MScInnovationChemBiomolecularSc
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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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, systems and synthetic biology. 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. |
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:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Assessment details are no longer provided here as a result of changes due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Students should consult iLearn for revised unit information.
Find out more about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and potential impacts on staff and students
Assignments
Extensions will only be granted under exceptional circumstances.
There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved.
Problem Set
Problems 1 - 12 should be done in time for marking and discussion during the practical session of the Week 12.
Requirements
Assessment tasks involve the practical assignments and the problem sets which are both integral components of the unit. Apart from the marks formally allocated to these components, a comprehensive understanding of them will greatly assist you in the final exam. You should remember that the final exam covers ALL components of the unit.
Participation in ALL practical sessions is required in order to complete the practical reports.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
Any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19.
Please check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Classes There are two weekly lectures of one hour each on Monday and Wednesday. Details: Mon 12-1 pm at 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - T5 Theatre and Wed 3-4 pm at 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - T2 Theatre. There is one weekly practical session of three hours on Monday 2 - 5 pm (practical groups 1 and 2) and Tuesday 10 am - 1 pm (practical group 3) at 14 Eastern Road E8A science labs 130 and 150. In weeks 9 to 11, the practical class includes a bioinformatic workshop in the same location. 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
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.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
The unit schedule/topics and any references to on-campus delivery below may no longer be relevant due to COVID-19. Please consult iLearn for latest details, and check here for updated delivery information: https://ask.mq.edu.au/account/pub/display/unit_status
Week |
Lecture |
Title |
Lecturer |
1 |
1 |
Introduction/What is Molecular Biology/Genome Structure |
Haynes |
2 |
Gene Organization/function |
Haynes |
|
2 |
3 |
Molecular Biology Techniques |
Haynes |
4 |
Molecular Biology Techniques |
Paulsen |
|
3 |
5 |
Molecular Cloning |
Haynes |
6 |
Tools for studying Gene Activity |
Haynes |
|
4 |
7 |
Transcription in Prokaryotes |
Paulsen |
8 |
Structure of Prokaryotic Operons |
Paulsen |
|
5 |
9 |
Bacterial Gene Regulation |
Paulsen |
10 |
Transcription in Eukaryotes |
Paulsen |
|
6 |
11 |
Eukaryotic Gene Regulation |
Paulsen |
12 |
Nucleosomes/Histones/Chromatin |
Paulsen |
|
7 |
13 |
Messenger RNA splicing |
Paulsen |
14 |
Mechanism of Translation |
Paulsen |
|
SEMESTER BREAK | |||
8 |
15 |
Ribosomes and transfer RNA |
Paulsen |
16 |
DNA replication |
Paulsen |
|
9 |
17 |
DNA recombination |
Paulsen |
18 |
DNA repair |
Paulsen |
|
10 |
19 |
Mobile DNA elements |
Paulsen |
20 |
Mobile DNA elements |
Paulsen |
|
11 |
21 |
Genome Sequencing |
Paulsen |
22 |
Genomes, Pan-Genomes and Metagenomics |
Paulsen |
|
12 |
23 |
Bioinformatics and Genome Annotation |
Paulsen |
24 |
Functional Genomics and Systems Biology |
Paulsen |
|
13 |
25 |
Synthetic Biology |
Paulsen |
26 |
Revision |
Paulsen |
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:
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).
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