• Offered by Biology Teaching and Learning Centre
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Course subject Biology
  • Areas of interest Plant Science
  • Academic career UGRD
  • Course convener
    • Prof Justin Borevitz
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Co-taught Course
  • Offered in First Semester 2024
    See Future Offerings

The aim of this course is to teach genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and phonemics using model organisms representing plants and animals. The course will cover recent developments in genomics, gene expression and small RNAs, synthetic biology, epigenetics, proteomics, fast-forward genetics and next-generation mapping. An objective of the course is to develop skills in experimental design within the context of learning about biology including: regulation of transcription and translation, stress response, signal transduction and the engineering and regulation of metabolic pathways.


Honours pathway option (HPO)

The HPO consists of investigation-based and interactive learning, practical exercises on molecular techniques including qualitative RT-PCR to measure mRNA abundance. The additional practical exercises provide experience of extra laboratory skills, an opportunity to develop more complex data analysis and interpretive skills and an extension of the theory covered in the course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. Describe recent advances in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics.
  2. Explain some of the current genomics technologies and illustrate how these can be used to study gene function.
  3. Obtain and analyse information and data relating to specific genes using general and plant-specific databases, proteomics and metabolomics online portals, next generation sequencing tools and next generation mapping portals.
  4. Locate and evaluate current scientific literature and discuss the important findings of these publications in writing.
  5. Perform a range of practical techniques including DNA extraction and sequencing, RT-PCR, reporter gene assay, metabolomics and genetic mapping.
  6. Design a set of experiments to address a particular biological question.

Indicative Assessment

  1. Laboratory/tutorial reports (45) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
  2. Mid-term test (10) [LO 1,2]
  3. Final exam (45) [LO 1,2,6]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours including:

  • Face-to face component which may consist of 3 x 1 hour lectures per week and up to 26 hour of laboratory and computer sessions throughout the semester.
  • Approximately 65 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations, group work reports and other assessment tasks.

Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.

Inherent Requirements

Not yet determined

Requisite and Incompatibility

To enrol in this course you must have successfully completed any two of the following three courses: BIOL2162, BIOL2161, BIOL2151. Incompatible with BIOL6163.

Prescribed Texts

Nil

Assumed Knowledge

BIOL2162, BIOL2161 and BIOL2151

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees

Student Contribution Band:
2
Unit value:
6 units

If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
6.00 0.12500
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2024 $4440
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2024 $6360
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

First Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
3594 19 Feb 2024 26 Feb 2024 05 Apr 2024 24 May 2024 In Person View

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