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Advanced Techniques in Molecular Science (BCMB30010)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinator
Dr Leon Helfenbaum
Administrative Coordinator
Mrs Irene Koumanelis
Semester 2
Administrative Coordination
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
To participate in the rapidly expanding fields of genome research and protein structure-function analysis it is necessary to have an understanding of the techniques used in these areas.
This subject provides practical training in the technologies of molecular biology, protein expression and molecular cell biology. Analysis of the data derived from these techniques is also integral to these studies.
Areas covered include the use of recombinant DNA for the investigation of gene function, the use of bacterial expression systems for the production and analysis of recombinant proteins; mass spectrometry to identify proteins and the use of fluorescently labelled proteins to understand sub-cellular targetting in mammalian cells.
Specific experiments will deal with DNA cloning and sequencing, enzyme mutagenesis and expression, the identification of proteins in mammalian sera and using fluorescent microscopy to localise subcellular localisation of proteins in mammalian cells.
Students will learn how to maintain a laboratory notebook to record their experiments and how to compose a scientific report. In addition, students will develop an appreciation for the current scientific literature and collaborate in student presentations.
The experimental work is supported by a lecture series providing an overview of technologies used in class and in research.
Intended learning outcomes
- to provide practical experience in a variety of techniques used in biochemistry and molecular biology.
- to give instruction in the correct methods for keeping scientific records and writing scientific reports.
- to provide experience in simple experimental design and problem solving.
- to extend students' knowledge of the use of bioinformatics in the analysis of DNA and protein sequence data and in data derived by mass spectrometry.
- to assist students in the evaluation of scientific literature and to develop skills in the presentation of scientific data in oral and written formats.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- Hands-on experience in a variety of techniques, generating results for analysis.
- Design and execution of simple experiments.
- Analysis of experimental data using spreadsheets and bioinformatics resources.
- The ability to keep complete and accurate records of experimental results and to use these records to prepare a scientific report.
- Evaluation and presentation of scientific literature to an audience.
- The ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases.
- The capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines.
- The ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
BSc students
Note: Both a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology lecture subject and practical subject are required
Before 2009:
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part A (521-211)
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part B (521-212)
Techniques in Molecular Science (521-220)
OR
Techniques in Protein and Gene Technology (521-220)
2009 and subsequently:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BCMB20005 | Techniques in Molecular Science |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Note that the pre-2009 subject “Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part A” and the 2009 subject “BCMB20002 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology” are not identical despite sharing a similar subject title.
Only the subject
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
offered in 2009 and beyond acts as a prerequisite for the lecture subject (replacing both the pre-2009 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Part A and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Part B).
BBiomedicine students
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
BCMB20005 | Techniques in Molecular Science |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
All Students: Other combinations of subjects that provide a similar background may be considered by the coordinator.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students cannot enrol in and gain credit for this subject if credit was obtained for pre-2009 subjects Gene Technology & Protein Expression (521-321) or Protein Biochemistry & Proteomics (521-322).
Recommended background knowledge
BSc students
BCMB20003 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function is recommended.
BBiomedicine Students
BCMB20003 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function is strongly recommended.
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BCMB20003 | Molecular Analysis of Cell Function | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
Ongoing assessment of laboratory skills throughout the semester (45%) divided between:
- practical management of the experimental program,
- maintenance of a laboratory notebook including short summaries and brief reports of practical results and
Written research report based on the first 4 weeks of the semester, 2500 words (15%)
Group presentation of a scientific paper: a 15 min preserntation by a group of 5 students with guidance and assistance from an academic mentor, due at the end of semester (15%)
Two database tutorials: DNA and Literature Bioinformatics due in week 4, and Mass Spectrometry (MS) Bioinformatics due in week 11 (5%)
2-hour written examination in the examination period at the end of semester (20%)
Attendance is compulsory. Students who miss more than 20% of the practical classes will not be eligible for final assessment.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Leon Helfenbaum Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours one x 1 hour lecture, one x 1 hour tutorial and one x 5 hour practical class per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 5 February 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Leon Helfenbaum
Administrative Coordinator
Mrs Irene Koumanelis
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Leon Helfenbaum Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours one x 1 hour lecture, one x 1 hour tutorial and one x 5 hour practical class per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 2 July 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Administrative Coordination
Time commitment details
84 contact hours with an estimated total time commitment of 170 hours.
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 90 students (30 students per practical class) per semester applies to this subject.
For detailed information on the quota subject application process, refer to the Quota Subject link on the School of Biomedical Sciences Current Student Information webpage: http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
Recommended texts and other resources
Keith Wilson and John Walker, Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2010, 7th Ed) Cambridge University Press
- Subject notes
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc and in BBiomed.
Students must enrol for one of the available laboratory days via the student portal before the start of the semester.
Be aware that each day may have limited places and in general allocations to practical classes will be made on a first come-first served basis.
Students undertaking this subject will be expected to have regular access to an internet-enabled computer. - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
quota subject - application deadline as per http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
Last updated: 3 November 2022