Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Distinguished Professor
Ian Paulsen
Contact via 9850 8152
E8A 202, 14 Eastern Road
Professor
Paul Haynes
Contact via 9850 6258
F7B 331, 4 Wally's Walk
Senior Scientific Officer
Ray Duell
Contact via 9850 8184
E8A 106, 14 Eastern Road
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
(39cp at 100 level or above) including CBMS202 or CBMS224
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
CBMS336/836
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Unit description |
Unit description
Molecular biology is a central science in twenty-first century biology and biotechnology. Understanding the fundamentals of molecular biology is essential for many other fields in the life sciences, including microbiology, cell biology, immunology, and development. Molecular biology makes a significant and increasing contribution to major sectors of our society including agriculture and medicine, and is also important in environmental science and forensics. In this unit we explore topics that allow students to obtain an advanced understanding of the mechanisms of molecular biology, including those of DNA replication and recombination, prokaryotic gene expression, eukaryotic gene expression, mobile elements, the functions of the nucleus, and epigenetics. We also address topics on the rapidly changing technologies in molecular biology, including those used in genome sequencing, metagenomics, and microarray analysis. Practical sessions complement the lectures and provide students with hands-on experience with a range of critical laboratory skills including those required for DNA and RNA isolation, PCR and RT-PCR, cloning, and bioinformatics. Students gain experience in working with both bacterial and eukaryotic systems in the laboratory classes so that their skills and experience are valuable for a variety of positions in both industry and research.
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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:
Assignments
Extensions will only be granted under exceptional circumstances.
There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 20% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for disruption of studies is made and approved.
Problem Set
Problems 1 - 12 should be done in time for marking and discussion during the practical session of the Week 12.
Requirements
Assessment tasks involve the practical assignments and the problem sets which are both integral components of the unit. Apart from the marks formally allocated to these components, a comprehensive understanding of them will greatly assist you in the final exam. You should remember that the final exam covers ALL components of the unit.
Participation in ALL practical sessions is required in order to complete the practical reports.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Laboratory Reports | 25% | No | TBA |
Bioinformatic Report | 10% | No | TBA |
Mid-Semester Test | 10% | No | Week 7 (April 30th - May 4th) |
Problem Set | 5% | No | Week 12 (June 4th - June 8th) |
Final Examination | 50% | No | University Examination Period |
Due: TBA
Weighting: 25%
3 lab reports, 1500 words each
Due: TBA
Weighting: 10%
Report on Bioinformatic Analysis
Due: Week 7 (April 30th - May 4th)
Weighting: 10%
Multiple Choice Test carried out during regularly scheduled laboratory time.
Due: Week 12 (June 4th - June 8th)
Weighting: 5%
12 Question Problem Set in Prac Manual.
Due: University Examination Period
Weighting: 50%
2 essays, 20 short answer questions
Classes There are two weekly lectures of 1 hour each on Friday (10 am - 11 am Friday in 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - E7B T5 Theatre, and 12 noon - 1 pm Friday in 14 Sir Christopher Ondaatje Ave - E7B T5 Theatre) and a weekly practical session of 3 hours (14 Eastern Road E8A labs 130 and 150, 10 am - 1 pm or 2 pm - 5 pm Wednesday). In weeks 9 to 11, the practical class includes a bioinformatic workshop in the same location. Attendance at practical sessions (and bioinformatic workshop) is a compulsory component of this unit. Lecture recordings and graphics slides are available online through iLearn (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/), although lecture attendance in person is highly recommended. The practical manual is also available online through iLearn.
Required and Recommended Texts The course syllabus is defined by all of the subject material presented in lectures and practicals, much of which is beyond standard textbooks. The prescribed text for this unit is Molecular Biology Fifth edition by Robert F Weaver. Available from the Co-op bookshop. The following texts may also be useful and are available in the library:
GenesIX by Benjamin Lewin
Mobile Genetic Elements by Sherratt
Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual by Maniatis, Fritsch and Sambrook
An Introduction to Genetic Engineering by Des Nicholl.
Technology Requirements Within this Unit, you will be introduced to Web-based search engines that are commonly used in molecular biology. Our expectation is that you will be able to readily access the internet and have a computer available to you for web browsing and preparation of your laboratory reports. Handwritten reports will not be accepted. Your laboratory reports will be submitted and circulated via the online Turnitin program, for which access instructions will be given at submission time. Your practical reports will require you to carry out minor computational tasks, for which a calculator and access to basic statistical tools will be required. We place a large emphasis on correct referencing style in all your reports, and use of the program EndNote is encouraged, but not essential.
Week |
Date |
Lecture |
Title |
Lecturer |
1 |
March 2 |
1 |
Introduction/What is Molecular Biology/Genome Structure |
Haynes |
March 2 |
2 |
Gene Organization/function |
Haynes |
|
2 |
Mar 9 |
3 |
Molecular Biology Techniques |
Haynes |
Mar 9 |
4 |
Molecular Biology Techniques |
Paulsen |
|
3 |
Mar 16 |
5 |
Molecular Cloning |
Haynes |
Mar 16 |
6 |
Tools for studying Gene Activity |
Haynes |
|
4 |
Mar 23 |
7 |
Transcription in Prokaryotes |
Paulsen |
Mar 23 |
8 |
Structure of Prokaryotic Operons |
Paulsen |
|
5 |
Apr 6 |
9 |
Bacterial Gene Regulation |
Paulsen |
Apr 6 |
10 |
Transcription in Eukaryotes |
Paulsen |
|
6 |
Apr 13 |
11 |
Eukaryotic Gene Regulation |
Paulsen |
Apr 13 |
12 |
Nucleosomes/Histones/Chromatin
|
Paulsen |
|
SEMESTER BREAK | ||||
7 |
May 4 |
13 |
Messenger RNA splicing |
Paulsen |
May 4 |
14 |
Mechanism of Translation |
Paulsen |
|
8 |
May 11 |
15 |
Ribosomes and transfer RNA |
Paulsen |
May 11 |
16 |
DNA replication |
Paulsen |
|
9 |
May 18 |
17 |
DNA recombination |
Paulsen |
May 18 |
18 |
DNA repair |
Paulsen |
|
10 |
May 25 |
19 |
Mobile DNA elements |
Paulsen |
May 25 |
20 |
Mobile DNA elements |
Paulsen |
|
11 |
June 1 |
21 |
Genome Sequencing |
Paulsen |
June 1 |
22 |
Genomes, Pan-Genomes and Metagenomics |
Paulsen |
|
12 |
June 8 |
23 |
Bioinformatics and Genome Annotation |
Paulsen |
June 8 |
24 |
Functional Genomics and Systems Biology |
Paulsen |
|
13 |
Jun 15 |
25 |
Synthetic Biology |
Paulsen |
Jun 15 |
26 |
Revision |
Paulsen |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
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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.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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