The integration of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, next-generation sequencing and cell biology has had an enormous impact on plant science in recent years. This course will present current understanding in several key areas and demonstrate how conceptual and technical advances provide new insights in plant biology and new approaches for crop improvement and agriculture. Two introductory lectures will be given on plant structure and function prior to the major topics, which will include plant development, nitrogen fixation, epigenetics and regulation of gene expression, next-generation tools for crop improvement, photosynthesis, protein structure and plant disease and defence. Each topic will be presented by a researcher from the Research School of Biology or CSIRO Agriculture and Food.
BIOL3177 is an advanced course that requires a basic understanding in one, or preferably more, of the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology or plant structure and function.
Honours Pathway Option (HPO)
Entry to this option will be subject to the approval of the course conveners. Students who take this option will be required to present a seminar on a research paper. The seminar will be assessed and will replace part of the assessment for tutorial quizzes and the essay.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
On satisfying the requirements of this course, UG students (non HPO) will have the knowledge and skills to:- Understand and describe the problems being addressed and the advances achieved in molecular plant science
- Understand and describe several advanced molecular techniques and how they are being used to achieve advances in molecular plant science
- Search bibliographic databases to identify papers reporting recent advances in specific areas of molecular plant science and to distill, integrate, evaluate and discuss the important findings of these papers in writing
- Understand a selection of plant-science-related molecular techniques and to present and interpret data generated by these techniques in writing
On satisfying the requirements of this course, HPO students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and describe the problems being addressed and the advances achieved in molecular plant science
- Understand and describe several advanced molecular techniques and how they are being used to achieve advances in molecular plant science
- Search bibliographic databases to identify papers reporting recent advances in specific areas of molecular plant science and to distill, integrate, evaluate and discuss the important findings of these papers in writing
- Analyse in depth, and critically evaluate, papers reporting recent advances in molecular plant science, and present orally the findings of the papers, placing them in context and providing critical commentary, using appropriate visual aids
Indicative Assessment
UG (non HPO) assessment will be based on:- Tutorial quizzes (eight quizzes, each worth 2.5%) (20% - LOs 1 and 2)
- Essay: Review of a research topic (30% - LOs 1-4)
- Written Examination (end of Semester) (50% -LO1 and 2)
HPO assessment will be based on:
- Tutorial quizzes (eight quizzes, each worth 1.25%) (10% - LOs 1 and 2)
- Essay: Review of a research topic (25% - LOs 1-3)
- Journal club presentation (15% - LOs 1,2 and 4)
- Written Examination (end of Semester) (50% - LOs 1 and 2)
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
UG (non HPO): Contact: 36 one-hour lectures and 8 one-hour tutorials. Non-contact: essay - approximately 30 hours.HPO: Contact: 36 one-hour lectures and 8 one-hour tutorials. Non-contact: essay - approximately 30 hours; seminar - approximately 26 hours
Requisite and Incompatibility
Majors
Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and 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). You can find your student contribution amount for each course 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $3660 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | $5160 |
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2422 | 19 Feb 2018 | 27 Feb 2018 | 31 Mar 2018 | 25 May 2018 | In Person | N/A |
