Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Jenny Donald
Contact via jenny.donald@mq.edu.au
E8C 211
Tutor
Kimberley Duncan
Contact via kimberley.duncan@mq.edu.au
Tutor
Jemma Geoghegan
Caitlin Kordis
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(39cp at 100 level or above) including BIOL206(P)
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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 deals with the molecular, cellular and population basis of the genetics of human beings. Topics include: pedigree analysis; population studies; inbreeding; cytogenetics; organisation of the human genome; identifying genes for single-gene and complex disorders; cancer genetics; developmental genetics; behavioural genetics; sex determination; immunogenetics; twin studies; genetic counselling; genetic screening; 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.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Students are expected to attempt all assignments. Late assignments will be penalized at the rate of 5% of the value of the assignment per 24 hours.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Internet exercise | 5% | No | 20 March |
Linkage assignment | 10% | No | 13 April |
Essay | 30% | No | 19 May |
Examination | 55% | Yes | Exam Period |
Due: 20 March
Weighting: 5%
The aim of this exercise is to encourage you to explore the resources in human genetics available on the Web, and to extract information from them. Further instructions can be found on a page linked to the BIOL345 online unit. This exercise is to be submitted via the iLearn unit.
Due: 13 April
Weighting: 10%
This is an exercise in human gene mapping. It will require you to perform an analysis on an individual dataset and interpret your results. Information on marking standards can be found in the iLearn unit.
Due: 19 May
Weighting: 30%
Your task is to analyse the science that led to the cloning of a gene for a human disease in the decade from 1990 to 2000, and compare it to modern approaches in an essay of approximately 3000 words. The choice of disease gene is up to you. You will need to read in detail the primary scientific papers describing the steps that led to the cloning of this gene. Further information on the assessment and marking standards can be found in the iLearn unit. The essay is to be submitted to the Science Student Centre after online submission to Turnitin.
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 55%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
The final examination will require solving of analytical genetics problems [50% of the exam], defining genetic terms and discussion questions. Students need to gain at least 50% in the final examination to pass the unit.
LECTURES
There are three one-hour lectures per week. Internal students will receive their lectures in the usual way, and external students will listen to recorded lectures via the online unit. All lectures will be recorded live and will be available via the iLearn unit through Echo360.
TUTORIALS
There are weekly two-hour tutorials for internal students in the unit, starting from week 1. Internal students will be timetabled to a session. Please do not change sessions without consulting me. We will use the tutorials to work through the problem sets. You are expected to have attempted them before the tutorial. We will also discuss the assignments. You will find the unit very difficult if you do not attend all the tutorials or on-campus sessions.
ON-CAMPUS-SESSIONS FOR EXTERNAL STUDENTS
These will deal with the problem sheets, the essay and revision. There are two of these, both held on Sundays. There is no formal requirement to attend these sessions (they are voluntary as some students are interstate or overseas) but most students will derive a lot of benefit if they do so, and I expect all local external students to attend. Students will be expected to have attempted the relevant problems before the on-campus session and to be prepared to discuss their solutions. Each session will last the whole day, from 9-6. The dates are as follows:
ONLINE TUTORIALS FOR EXTERNAL STUDENTS
There may be some optional online tutorials in the evening for external students, using the online resource Scribblar. All arrangements, including timing and frequency, will be made with external students via the Discussion forum in the Online unit.
TEXT BOOK
All students will need access to the internet and a scientific hand calculator. It is recommended that you purchase the textbook.
Textbook: Human Molecular Genetics. (4th Ed) Tom Strachan & Andrew P. Read, Garland Science, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-815-34149-9 Distributed in Australia by McMillan
Suggestions for optional additional reading are available on the iLearn unit.
BIOL345 iLearn unit
The BIOL345 online iLearn unit is the core resource in this unit. Updated unit information, links to lecture recordings, lecture notes, assignment details and discussion forums can be found there. All students must make sure they check it regularly.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
Late submissions for the Internet exercise will not be accepted. For the remaining assignments, late assignments will be penalized at the rate of 5% of the value of the assignment per 24 hours, except for cases in which a Disruption to Studies application has been made via Ask.mq.edu.au and approved.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
The following standards will be used to determine your grade in BIOL345