• Offered by Biology Teaching and Learning Centre
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Classification Advanced
    Specialist
  • Course subject Biology
  • Areas of interest Health Medicine and the Body
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Course convener
    • AsPr Anthony Millar
    • John Rathjen
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Co-taught Course
  • Offered in Second Semester 2020
    See Future Offerings

This course includes an on campus activity/ies. Check timetable for details. Contact course convener if you are unable to travel to Canberra.

This course provides an introduction to the principles and practice of recombinant DNA technology. It has a focus on how biological processes can be exploited and manipulated for practical purposes, rather than how they operate in nature. The course also introduces some of the main problem solving skills used routinely in molecular biology. A wide range of methods and applications will be discussed including:  polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA cloning, DNA sequencing, gene libraries, blotting techniques, expression of recombinant proteins, gene mapping, transgenic animals, and gene therapy.

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

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

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe and apply methods and techniques used to manipulate DNA.
2. Design strategies for identifying and analysing genes and their function.
3. Recognise the different requirements for gene expression in yeast, bacteria, plants and animals.
4. Demonstrate practical skills used in molecular biotechnology such as PCR and molecular cloning.
5. Obtain and evaluate information on a current topic in molecular biology and communicate this analysis in writing.

Other Information

The Biology Teaching and Learning Centre is located in Building 116. Alternatively you can email rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au to request a permission code to enrol in this course.

Indicative Assessment

Assessment will be based on:

  • Practical reports, tutorial test and assignments (total: 75%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
  • Final examination  (25%; LO 1, 2, 3)

In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle. 

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

Two lectures per week, up to eight laboratory sessions of up to four hours each and eight one-hour workshops.

Requisite and Incompatibility

Incompatible with BIOL2162

You will need to contact the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre to request a permission code to enrol in this course.

Prescribed Texts

Brown, T.A. (2010) Gene Cloning and Analysis: an introduction (6th ed.) Wiley-Blackwell

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
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2020 $4050
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2020 $5760
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.

Second Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
8698 27 Jul 2020 03 Aug 2020 31 Aug 2020 30 Oct 2020 In Person View

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions