Students

MEDI2200 – Human Cell and Molecular Biology

2022 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor
Esther Lim
Level 1, 75 Talavera Road
By appointment
Unit convenor
Christine Chiu
02TP 407
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to BClinSc and CBMS104 or BMOL1001
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces concepts which are core to biochemistry, cell and molecular biology. You will learn about the nature of chemical reactions that occur within the human body and explore the functions and the relationships between the four main biomolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids). You will gain an understanding of the fundamental structure of the cell and how this relates to function. You will also examine the basic principles of molecular biology and how cellular processes are regulated.

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 major features of cell structure and organisation.
  • ULO2: Examine the molecular processes controlling cell structure and function
  • ULO3: Describe the role of DNA replication and repair in producing genetic variation
  • ULO4: Apply biochemical and genetic knowledge in a practical setting

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenors.

Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

To pass this unit, students must demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

 

Late Submission

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A one-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For example:

Number of days (hours) late Total possible marks Deduction Raw mark Final mark
1 day (1-24 hours) 100 5 75 70
2 days (24-48 hours) 100 10 75 65
3 days (48-72 hours) 100 15 75 60
7 days (144-168 hours) 100 35 75 40
>7 days (>168 hours) 100 - 75 0

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Formative Quiz 0% No Week 3
Mid-session Exam 30% No Week 7
Practical Assignment 30% No Week 10
Final Exam 40% No Exam period

Formative Quiz

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 4 hours
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 0%

 

Formative quiz delivered online assessing content delivered up to this point.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the major features of cell structure and organisation.
  • Examine the molecular processes controlling cell structure and function
  • Describe the role of DNA replication and repair in producing genetic variation

Mid-session Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 30%

 

Formal written examination assessing all unit content delivered to this point and will be composed of a mixture of multiple-choice and short answer questions

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the major features of cell structure and organisation.
  • Examine the molecular processes controlling cell structure and function
  • Describe the role of DNA replication and repair in producing genetic variation
  • Apply biochemical and genetic knowledge in a practical setting

Practical Assignment

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%

 

Problem-based assignment assessing content delivered in the practical modules.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Examine the molecular processes controlling cell structure and function
  • Describe the role of DNA replication and repair in producing genetic variation
  • Apply biochemical and genetic knowledge in a practical setting

Final Exam

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 40%

 

Formal written examintion assessing content delivered across the unit. Examination will include a combination of question types: MCQ and short answer questions. This task is completed under examination conditions during the University examination period.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Describe the major features of cell structure and organisation.
  • Examine the molecular processes controlling cell structure and function
  • Describe the role of DNA replication and repair in producing genetic variation
  • Apply biochemical and genetic knowledge in a practical setting

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

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online and face-to-face learning activities, including lectures, online modules and face-to-face group. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

 

Optional recommended readings:

Molecular Cell Biology, Eight edition, New York : W.H. Freeman-Macmillan Learning, 2016

Lodish, Harvey; Berk, Arnold; Kaiser, Chris; Krieger, Monty; Bretscher, Antony; Ploegh, Hidde; Amon, Angelika; Martin, Kelsey.

ISBN : 9781464183393; 1464183392; 9781464187445; 1464187444

 

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. Students who do not own their own laptop computer may borrow one from the university library.

Unit Schedule

Week 1

Biomolecules

Week 2

Cell organisation

Week 3

Protein

Week 4

DNA and Genes

Week 5

Gene expression

Week 6

Cell cycle

Week 7

Genetic variation

Week 8

Trafficking and transport

Week 9

Cell structure and interactions

Week 10

No lecture - practical assignment due

Week 11

Cell signaling

Week 12

Glucose oxidation

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:

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

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.

Professionalism

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions including clinical, practical, laboratory, work-integrated learning (e.g., PACE placements), and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded (e.g., face-to-face lectures), however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session.

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.


Unit information based on version 2022.02 of the Handbook