Students
MOLS7012 – Research Topic: Synthetic Biology
2021 – Session 1, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Paul Jaschke
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will build on fundamental concepts in molecular biology and bioengineering to explore themes in the emerging field of synthetic biology. This unit will provide students with the conceptual framework of systematic molecular design in order to build new componentry and biological systems. The unit will be taught extensively through the primary literature and will provide students with hands on experience in cutting edge tools required to design and synthesize biological parts. Exemplars of current applications including generation of biofuels, microbial synthesis of pharmaceuticals, and design of biosensors to detect infection and environmental waste will be examined. This unit will also focus on the ethical, legal and societal issues surrounding synthetic biology.
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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:
- ULO1: Summarise and discuss engineering principles and the relationship to synthetic biology. Gain familiarity with a common vocabulary useful for synthetic biology (e.g. standard part, chassis, switches, oscillators, etc.)
- ULO2: Summarise current and future application spaces for synthetic biology and have a sound knowledge of the latest published literature in the field
- ULO3: Define the culture, safety practices, and organisational community of the synthetic biology field to evaluate how emerging and future synthetic biology technologies may benefit and/or potentially endanger humanity and the natural environment
- ULO4: Productively work in a group on a scientific project
- ULO5: Synthesize diverse primary synthetic biology literature sources and present in an accessible way suitable for a general audience
General Assessment Information
Assessment due dates will be posted on iLearn.
There is a late penalty of 10% per 24-hour period for handing in assessments after the due date.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| SynBio Company Assessment | 18% | No | Week 3 |
| Paper presentation/discussion | 18% | No | Weeks 4-6 |
| SynBio Ethics Essay | 18% | No | Week 7 |
| Gene refactoring | 18% | No | Week 13 |
| Digital Media Presentation | 28% | No | Week 13 |
SynBio Company Assessment
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 17 hours
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 18%
Presentation describing one company in the synthetic biology space
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Summarise and discuss engineering principles and the relationship to synthetic biology. Gain familiarity with a common vocabulary useful for synthetic biology (e.g. standard part, chassis, switches, oscillators, etc.)
- Define the culture, safety practices, and organisational community of the synthetic biology field to evaluate how emerging and future synthetic biology technologies may benefit and/or potentially endanger humanity and the natural environment
- Synthesize diverse primary synthetic biology literature sources and present in an accessible way suitable for a general audience
Paper presentation/discussion
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 17 hours
Due: Weeks 4-6
Weighting: 18%
Lead presentation of primary synthetic biology literature and participate in discussion of other student presentations
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Summarise and discuss engineering principles and the relationship to synthetic biology. Gain familiarity with a common vocabulary useful for synthetic biology (e.g. standard part, chassis, switches, oscillators, etc.)
- Productively work in a group on a scientific project
- Synthesize diverse primary synthetic biology literature sources and present in an accessible way suitable for a general audience
SynBio Ethics Essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 17 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 18%
An essay on the ethics of synthetic biology
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Summarise current and future application spaces for synthetic biology and have a sound knowledge of the latest published literature in the field
- Define the culture, safety practices, and organisational community of the synthetic biology field to evaluate how emerging and future synthetic biology technologies may benefit and/or potentially endanger humanity and the natural environment
- Synthesize diverse primary synthetic biology literature sources and present in an accessible way suitable for a general audience
Gene refactoring
Assessment Type 1: Design Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 17 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 18%
Redesign (refactoring) of a set of genes for expression in an alternate host.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Productively work in a group on a scientific project
Digital Media Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Media presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 24 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 28%
Digital media presentation of a tool, method, and/or approach in synthetic biology aimed at general audience.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Summarise and discuss engineering principles and the relationship to synthetic biology. Gain familiarity with a common vocabulary useful for synthetic biology (e.g. standard part, chassis, switches, oscillators, etc.)
- Summarise current and future application spaces for synthetic biology and have a sound knowledge of the latest published literature in the field
- Synthesize diverse primary synthetic biology literature sources and present in an accessible way suitable for a general audience
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Class Times:
This Session 1 unit comprises a 4-hour block each week. Please consult the iLearn site for updated timetable. This unit will be taught as tutorials that encompass both lectures and hands- on experiences/workshop activities (e.g. discussion of relevant papers from literature; software workshops etc). Tutorials will NOT be recorded and attendance is compulsory.
Unit Text:
The following text is recommended to help with your learning in this unit. “Synthetic Biology : Tools and Applications” (2013) Huimin Zhao.
The ebook can be downloaded from the library using this link: http://mqu.eblib.com.au/patron/ FullRecord.aspx?p=1160900
There is a hardcopy of the book in the Macquarie Library. It is NOT recommended that you purchase this text.
Other required learning material (e.g. journal articles, book chapters) will be made available on iLearn as this unit progresses.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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.
Unit information based on version 2021.01R of the Handbook