Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Paul Jaschke
Contact via paul.jaschke@mq.edu.au
Building E8A Room 356
Monday to Friday (9am to 4pm) by appointment
Instructor
Bridget Mabbutt
Contact via bridget.mabbutt@mq.edu.au
Instructor
Ian Paulsen
Contact via ian.paulsen@mq.edu.au
Instructor
Robert Willows
Contact via robert.willows@mq.edu.au
Instructor
Jennifer Hallinan
Robert Willows
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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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 will build on fundamental concepts in molecular biology and bioengineering to explore themes in the emerging field of synthetic biology. This unit will provide students with the conceptual framework of systematic molecular design in order to build new componentry and biological systems. The unit will be taught extensively through the primary literature and will provide students with hands on experience in cutting edge tools required to design and synthesize biological parts. Exemplars of current applications including generation of biofuels, microbial synthesis of pharmaceuticals, and design of biosensors to detect infection and environmental waste will be examined. This unit will also focus on the ethical, legal and societal issues surrounding synthetic biology.
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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:
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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SynBio Company Assessment | 15% | No | Week 3 |
Paper presentation/discussion | 15% | No | Week 4-6 |
SynBio Ethics Essay | 20% | No | Week 7 |
Gene refactoring | 15% | No | Week 9 |
Research Report | 15% | No | Week 12 |
Digital Media Presentation | 20% | No | Week 13 |
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 15%
Presentation describing one company in the synthetic biology space.
Due: Week 4-6
Weighting: 15%
Lead presentation of primary synthetic biology literature and participate in discussion of other student's presentations.
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 20%
An essay on the ethics of synthetic biology.
Due: Week 9
Weighting: 15%
A report of the results of computationally refactoring genes.
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 15%
A research report on a topic in synthetic biology.
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%
Digital media presentation of new tool/approach in synthetic biology.
Class Times:
This Session 1 unit comprises a 4-hour block each week. Please consult the iLearn site for updated timetable. This unit will be taught as tutorials that encompass both lectures and hands-on experiences/workshop activities (e.g. discussion of relevant papers from literature; software workshops etc). Tutorials will NOT be recorded and attendance is compulsory.
Unit Text:
The following text is recommended to help with your learning in this unit.
“Synthetic Biology : Tools and Applications” (2013) Huimin Zhao.
The ebook can be downloaded from the library using this link: http://mqu.eblib.com.au/patron/FullRecord.aspx?p=1160900
There is a hardcopy of the book in the Macquarie Library. It is NOT recommended that you purchase this text.
Other required learning material (e.g. journal articles, book chapters) will be made available on iLearn as this unit progresses.
Tentative schedule subject to change with appropriate notice
Week 1-3: P Jaschke
Introduction – What is Synthetic Biology?
Week 4-6: I Paulsen
Minimal Cells and Synthetic Life
Week 7: R Willows
Parts, Devices and Systems - a more detailed look
* Easter Break *
Week 8-9: R Willows
Parts, Devices and Systems - a more detailed look
Week 10: J Hallinan
Modelling Synthetic Biology Systems
Week 11: P Jaschke
Gene Circuits
Week 12: B Mabbutt
Nano Construction with Proteins
Week 13: P Jaschke
Unit wrap up and digital media presentations
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:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/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.
** IMPORTANT** Late submission of assessment tasks:
No extensions will be granted. Late tasks will be accepted up to 72 hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of 20% 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 – 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made 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 postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
There will be the following changes made from the 2016 offering:
• No final exam
• Creation of one additional assessment task, the research report, and a rebalancing of other assessment task weights.
• Additional lecture from Dr. Jennifer Hallinan (Biological Sciences)