Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Paul Jaschke paul.jaschke@mq.edu.au Contact via email Lecturer Robert Willows robert.willows@mq.edu.au Contact via email
Credit points	Credit points 10
Prerequisites	Prerequisites 130cp at 1000 level or above including BMOL2201 or CBMS201 or CBMS223
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description Biochemistry and cell biology are central to our understanding of medicine and biotechnology. Advances in these fields are dependent on an advanced understanding of the molecular basis of diverse cellular processes. This unit links important biochemical processes to functions and properties of eukaryotic cells. We explore advanced concepts including: enzyme function, properties of membranes, signal transduction, protein trafficking and transport, and protein turnover. These are linked to whole cell behaviours such as cell division and differentiation, programmed cell death, and general responses to external stimuli. Practical work complements lecture material and provides experience with a broad range of current techniques used in research and industry. Laboratory techniques used include analysis of signalling cascades, enzyme kinetics, spectrophotometry, and fluorescence and light microscopy.

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: Demonstrate an understanding of how eukaryotic cells are studied and summarise current knowledge of internal cell organisation, membrane trafficking, intracellular compartments, biochemical pathways, and intra- and extra-cellular signalling.
ULO2: Summarise the major eukaryotic cell regulation control points and how disturbances in these processes are involved in human disease.
ULO3: Design and execute laboratory experiments to characterise, quantitate and measure a range of fundamental cell processes.
ULO4: Critically analyse and communicate advanced molecular, cellular, and biochemical concepts from the primary literature in both verbal and written form.

General Assessment Information

All assignments must be submitted as soft copy before the date & time specified on iLearn. Specific instructions for how to successfully complete assessments will be provided on iLearn. Criteria and standards required for the assessment tasks will be available on iLearn. For any unapproved absences, students will receive a zero mark.

Online quizzes, in-class activities, or scheduled tests and exam must be undertaken at the time indicated in the unit guide. Should these activities be missed due to illness or misadventure, students may apply for Special Consideration.

All other assessments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on their due date. Should these assessments be missed due to illness or misadventure, students should apply for Special Consideration.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation 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. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration.

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted

In this unit, late submissions will accepted as follows:

Lab Report Assessment – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies

All Other Assessments (Lecture Contribution, Practice-Based Task, Early Test, and Final Examination) - NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you must: • Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%, and • Participate in, and undertake all hurdle activities for a minimum of 6/9 completed.

Hurdle Assessments

Practice-based task (0%) Development of knowledge and skills requires continual practice at authentic problems in a laboratory-based setting. This unit has weekly laboratory classes and you must demonstrate your progress in developing and communicating knowledge and skills in a minimum of 6 of the 9 classes. This is a hurdle assessment meaning that failure to meet this requirement may result in a fail grade for the unit. Students are permitted up to three absences: additional absences will require approval of Special Consideration (see below).

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment.

Written Assessments: If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

Weekly practice-based tasks: To pass the unit you need to demonstrate ongoing development of skills and application of knowledge in 6 out of 9 of the weekly practical classes. If you miss a weekly practical class due to a serious, unavoidable and significant disruption, contact your convenor ASAP as you may be able to attend another class that week. If it is not possible to attend another class, you should still contact your convenor for access to class material to review in your own time.

Note that a Special Consideration should only be applied for if you miss more than three of the weekly practical classes.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Early Test	10%	No	Week 4
Lecture Contribution	5%	No	Weeks 1-13
Lab Report	50%	No	Weeks 6-11
Practice-Based Task	0%	Yes	Weeks 1-13
Final Examination	35%	No	Exam Period