BIOCHEM 3125 - Advanced Molecular Biology IIIA (Biochemistry)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2017

This course aims to extend the discussions of protein structure and function beyond Biochemistry Level II courses to gain a better understanding of the essential processes of molecular biology. Two principle themes are covered. 1. Protein Structure and Function: topics include structure and function of different classes of proteins, protein folding, targeted protein degradation, development of new therapies, molecular interactions and recognition. 2. Control of Gene Expression: topics include genetic circuits and synthetic biology; chromatin structure and remodelling during transcription; recruitment and assembly of transcription factors and the RNA polymerase complex; manipulating gene expression using "designer genes" and synthetic transcription factors; eukaryote mRNA synthesis, processing, modification, stability and translation, and manipulation of these processes to effect selective gene expression. This course combines lectures and tutorials from Molecular and Structural Biology III with molecular biology focussed laboratory placements in professional research laboratories or practical exercises in the first six weeks of the semester. The final six weeks include specialised Problem Based Learning (PBL) exercises designed to provide a perspective of how cutting edge biochemical principles and techniques are applied to major research questions in molecular biology. The importance of cross disciplinary approaches in modern biomedical research will be illustrated.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOCHEM 3125
Course	Advanced Molecular Biology IIIA (Biochemistry)
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 14 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	BIOCHEM 2510, BIOCHEM 2520, BIOCHEM 2504 & BIOCHEM 2505
Incompatible	BIOCHEM 3000 & BIOCHEM 3230
Restrictions	Available to BSc(MolBiol) students only
Assessment	Exam on lecture material, practical reports/PBL & online assessments

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr John Bruning

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Understanding aspects of protein structure and function including protein folding, degradation, development of new therapies, molecular interactions and recognition.
2	Understanding aspects of the control of gene expression including genetic circuits, chromatinstructure and remodelling, gene promoter assembly, eukaryotic mRNA synthesis, processing and translation.
3	Understanding key experimental processes required to evaluate protein structure, functionand gene expression, and knowledge of how to apply them to solve specific biochemical problems.
4	Specific skills in planning, performing, interpreting, quantitatively analysing and communicatingbiochemical research using a variety of modern experimental techniques.
5	Ability to find, read, interpret and critically analyse relevant scientific literature.
6	Ability to work in teams and communicate scientific outcomes.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1 - 6
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1 - 6
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	1 - 6
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1 - 6
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	1 - 6
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	1 - 6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Laboratory coat, safety glasses and closed shoes

Recommended Resources

Text book: Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th Edn) by Alberts et al., 2008, Published by Garland Science

Online Learning

Resource material such as lecture, tutorial, practical and past exams will be available on Myuni.

Online assessment will be conducted via Myuni.

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course will be delivered by the following means:

3 Lectures of 1 hour each per week. (same lectures as Molecular and Structural Biology III (BIOCHEM 3000)).

1 Tutorial of 1 hour per week.

1 Laboratory based research project (45 hours) or MSB III Practical (15 hours per fortnight, odd weeks = 5 hours & Even weeks = 10 hour duration) in weeks 1-6. Includes oral presentation in week 6 with immediate feedback provided.

1 x 2 hour problem-based learning (PBL) exercise per week for weeks 6-12. Involves two different PBLs based on current research, each assessed by 10-15 minute presentation in small groups

3 online multiple choice tests of 1 hour duration (weeks 4, 8 and 12, with immediate feedback provided), to be done during non contact hours.

1 hour written test in week 7.

Lectures are from the existing Molecular and Structural Biology III (BIOCHEM 3000) course and will include the following topics:

·     Protein Life Cycle
·     Protein-Protein Interactions
·     Protein-carbohydrate / small molecule interactions
·     Proteins and Drug Design
.     Protein-nucleic Acid Interactions
·     Genetic Circuits and Synthetic Biology
·     Chromatin Remodelling and Transcriptional Control
·     How Transcription Factors are Regulated to Control Complex Promoters
· RNA-processing

The laboratory-based research projects or research-based practicals are run by the Biochemistry Academic staff as well as PhD students.

The tutorials are based around the lecture content as well as current relevant research papers

The online tests reinforce the lecture material.

The PBL exercises in term 2 will be conducted by academics who will select current molecular biology research areas of interest.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 6 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 24 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

Schedule
Week 1	Protein Life Cycle	Lecture
Week 2	Introduction to Macromolecular X-ray Crystallography	Lecture
Week 3	Applications of Structural Biology/Proteomics	Lecture
Week 4	Proteomics/Protein-Nucleic Acid Interactions	Lecture
Week 5	Genetic Circuts and Synthetic Biology	Lecture
Week 6	Genetic Circuts and Synthetic Biology	Lecture
Week 7	Chromatin Remodelling and Transcriptional Control	Lecture
Week 8	Chromatin Remodelling and Transcriptional Control	Lecture
Week 9	How TranscriptionFactors are Regulated to Control Complex Promoters	Lecture
Week 10	How TranscriptionFactors are Regulated to Control Complex Promoters	Lecture
Week 11	RNA Processing	Lecture
Week 12	RNA Processing	Lecture

Small Group Discovery Experience

Students perform small group discovery in their practical sessions in which they work together in small groups of approximately 12.
Students also perform small group discovery in their PBL sessions in which they work in small groups (~4) to solve problems together.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Written exam on lecture material	Summative	examination week	40%	1, 2, 3
Practical write up on research project	Summative/Formative	week 12	15%	4, 5
PBL exercises	Summative/Formative	weeks 7 - 12	15%	4, 5, 6
Online assessment	Summative/Formative	weeks 4, 8 and 12	5%	1, 2, 3
Written Test	Summative/Formative	Week 7	25%	1,2,4

Assessment Related Requirements

Attendance and active participation at all practicals is mandatory

Assessment Detail

End of term Exam (40% of total course grade) – A 2 hour examination covering the lecture material. It is made up of a mixture
of short and long answer type questions.

Mid-term written test (25% of total course grade) – A 1 hour examination covering the lecture material. It is made up of short and long answer type questions.

Laboratory placement/Practical (15% of total course grade). The half semester research project (students can choose a laboratory placement or MSBIII practical) will include experimental work, keeping an up to date laboratory notebook, 1 oral presentation and the submission of a final practical report. The oral presentation is 10-15 minutes, covers the research performed in the practical and performed individually (research placement) or small groups (MSB III practical) in week 7.Students receive feedback throughout the semester on laboratory performance and keeping of laboratory notebooks, as well as immediately after the oral presentation, and on the final report.

PBL exercises, weeks 7-12: Involves two different PBLs based on current research, each assessed by 10-15 minute presentation in small groups. (15% of total course grade).

Online exercises (3 per semester): Three multiple choice tests in weeks 4, 8 and 12 (5% of total course grade). Encourages revision of the material soon after the relevant lectures and immediate feedback provided to students.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted,then a penalty for late submission
will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

Provision of Feedback to Students
The assessor usually provides appropriate feedback of assessment tasks to the student by means of written comments. The student has the opportunity to directly liaise with the assessor to obtain additional feedback and clarification if required.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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