Students

BMOL6432 – Molecular Biology and Genomics

2020 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde

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

General Information

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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
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradDipBiotech or GradCertLabAQMgt or GradDipLabAQMgt or MBiotech or MBioBus or MLabAQMgt or MRadiopharmSc or MSc or MScInnovationChemBiomolecularSc
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, 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.

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:

  • ULO1: Describe the theory behind and demonstrate competency in the use of a range of molecular biology experimental techniques, including PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, gel electrophoresis, cloning, site-directed mutagenesis, DNA sequencing and DNA hybridization.
  • ULO2: Describe and discuss 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.
  • ULO3: Relate the revolutionary impact of genomics across all biological sciences.
  • ULO4: Analyse and interpret experimental data and present this in a structured report utilising appropriate scientific referencing.

Assessment Tasks

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

General Assessment Information

Assignments

  • All assignments must be submitted as soft copy on the date specified.
  • All written work must be submitted to Turnitin for plagiarism checking. Instructions will be provided on iLearn.
  • Criteria and standards required for the assessment tasks will be available on iLearn.

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.

Delivery and Resources

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.

Unit Schedule

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

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:

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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

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.