PLANT SC 3515WT - Plant Biotechnology III
Waite Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PLANT SC 3515WT Course Plant Biotechnology III Coordinating Unit Agricultural Science Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s Waite Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 7 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assumed Knowledge BIOLOGY 1401, BIOLOGY 1101 or BIOLOGY 1001; BIOLOGY 1202 AND AGRIC 2510WT, ANIML SC 2501WT or GENETICS 2510 Assessment Examination, practical reports, research project report & presentation Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Professor Amanda Able
Course staff include Professor Amanda Able, Associate Professor Matt Tucker and Associate Professor Stuart Roy. Guest lecturers who are active researchers in plant biotechnology on the Waite Campus also provide case studies.Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
Students will be given details of each session at the start of classes. -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
Successful students will be able to:
1. explain the basics of the physiological and molecular processes that occur during plant growth and development and during environmental adaptations
2. understand how biotechnology has been used to develop knowledge of complex processes that occur in the plant
3. use basic biotechnological techniques to explore molecular biology of plants
4. understand the processes involved in the planning, conduct and execution of plant biotechnology experiments
5. explain how biotechnology is used for plant improvement and discuss the ethical implications of that use
6. communicate effectively using oral and written means for both scientific and non-technical audiences
7. cooperate and work effectively as a member of a team to solve problems
8. critically evaluate scientific research papers and develop research proposals to address identified gaps.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) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,3,4,8 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
2,3,4,7,8 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
7 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
2,3 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
6,8 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
3, 4, 6, 7, 8 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
5,8 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Laboratory coats and closed-in shoes must be worn in practical sessions.Recommended Resources
The lecturers use textbooks as a guide but rely heavily on scientific journals and bioinformatics databases/websites for their lectures. Details will be provided in class.Online Learning
Teaching materials, interactive exercises and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course combines elements of bioinformatics and professional development skills with scientific learning by using problem-based learning. Traditional practical and lecture exercises are also used. Full details will be provided at the start of the course.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 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
The lecture and theoretical content on-line will cover the following aspects:
- Molecular biology techniques and their application to plant breeding and plant biotechnology
- Functional analysis and gene discovery in plant biotechnology
- Regulation of gene and protein expression in plants
- Molecular control of plant development
- Transport within plants
- Molecular regulation of abiotic stress responses
- Molecular recognition and regulation during biotic interactions
- Molecular regulation of photosynthesis and respiration
Specific Course Requirements
N/A -
Assessment
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 will be by written examination, project work and practical report. There are no hurdles on assessment tasks in this course.
Assessment tasks include:
Assessment task Type of assessment % of total assessment Outcomes being assessed Approximate timing Practical project Formative/Summative 30% 1,2,3,4,6,7 Week 5 & 12 Research review and planning project Formative/Summative 30% 3,4,5,6,8 Across whole semester Exam Summative 40% 1,2,3,4,5 Exam period Assessment Detail
Practical Project (30% in total) – Practical Report/Exercise (written as students go)
This project will enable students to characterise a plant-unique gene using a number of techniques over the course. Students will analyse and interpret their results ‘as they go’ online between pracs. This will ensure that at each stage of the practical project, students can move to the next step with the necessary understanding and implement design decisions based on the previous prac’s results (in much the same way, a researcher would).
• Bioinformatics Component due Week 5
• Practical interpretation – question format - due SWOTVAC
Research review (planning) project (30% in total)
This project uses a patchwork assessment approach to guide students through the development of a research proposal, its presentation to a mock funding body and a rejoinder to referee’s reports over the entire course. Each student will also act as a referee of another proposal. Students receive tutorials that guide them through the process also. Approximate due dates are as follows:
• Grant proposal – due Week 8
• Oral Presentation – due Week 9 in class
• Referee Reports – due Week 10
• Rejoinder – due Week 12
Final Exam (40%)
The final exam is held in the University’s scheduled examination period and is scheduled for 180 minutes. Questions are of essay, short answer or interpretative style.Submission
Submission is usually via email to the course coordinator or online using MyUni. 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 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 or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.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 .
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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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.
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