Students

BIOL3120 – Human Genetics and Evolutionary Medicine

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Oliver Griffith
oliver.griffith@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including BIOL2110 or BIOL206(P)
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit deals with the molecular, cellular and population basis of the genetics of human beings in relation to disease and evolutionary medicine. Topics include: genetics, genomics, disease gene discovery, evolutionary medicine and the social and ethical implications of studies in human genetics. Emphasis is placed upon the enormous impact which recent molecular advances have had upon the subject, as well as techniques of genetic analysis. Comparisons with the genetics of other vertebrates are made wherever appropriate.

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: Solve problems in human genetics using appropriate analytical methods and a variety of up to date resources
  • ULO2: Interpret and demonstrate understanding of the primary scientific literature
  • ULO3: Explain the importance of new techniques in human genetics for understanding human disease
  • ULO4: Explain the principles of evolutionary biology and their role in human health and disease
  • ULO5: Utilise basic bioinformatic skills, including handling of genetic sequence data
  • ULO6: Understand genetics and its basis in human disease

General Assessment Information

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you must ahieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%.

There are no hurdle assessments.

Late Assessment Submission and Penalties 

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

AT1 Problem Sets: NO - special consideration required

AT2 Literature Review: YES (standard late penalties apply)

AT3 Final Exam: NO - special consideration required

Special Considerations

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

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Examination 50% No Formal exam period
Literature review 25% No Week 9
Problem sets 25% No Week 3-11

Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 32 hours
Due: Formal exam period
Weighting: 50%

 

Formal examination covering all content of unit

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Solve problems in human genetics using appropriate analytical methods and a variety of up to date resources
  • Explain the importance of new techniques in human genetics for understanding human disease
  • Explain the principles of evolutionary biology and their role in human health and disease
  • Utilise basic bioinformatic skills, including handling of genetic sequence data
  • Understand genetics and its basis in human disease

Literature review

Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 25%

 

A written literature review of the methodology of a genomic technique

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Interpret and demonstrate understanding of the primary scientific literature
  • Explain the importance of new techniques in human genetics for understanding human disease
  • Understand genetics and its basis in human disease

Problem sets

Assessment Type 1: Problem set
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Week 3-11
Weighting: 25%

 

Ongoing problem sets for practicals throughout the semester

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Solve problems in human genetics using appropriate analytical methods and a variety of up to date resources
  • Interpret and demonstrate understanding of the primary scientific literature
  • Explain the principles of evolutionary biology and their role in human health and disease
  • Utilise basic bioinformatic skills, including handling of genetic sequence data
  • Understand genetics and its basis in human disease

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

Some notes on unit delivery

Week 1 classes

In week 1 you will be required to engage and complete the lecture activities, available through iLearn. Please also attend the drop in session Thursday 2pm (zoom link on iLearn).

Practical classes will not run until week 3.

Methods of communication

We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to oliver.griffith@mq.edu.au

COVID Information

For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coronavirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.

Changes to the unit from last offering

We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page.

Student feedback from the previous offering of this unit was very positive overall, with students pleased with the clarity around assessment requirements and the level of support from teaching staff. As such, no change to the delivery of the unit is planned, however we will continue to strive to improve the level of support and the level of student engagement.

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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.

Unit information based on version 2024.01R of the Handbook