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Genetics in the Media (GENE10001)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Online

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Online
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Whether it be the next potential breakthrough for a cancer cure or the creation of designer babies, genetics always seems to be part of the conversation within the media landscape. Thanks to advances in genetics techniques, we can now modify organisms at the DNA level, identify and treat a huge array of diseases and even help solve crimes. But just how accurate is the way genetics stories are portrayed in the media? And why are they portrayed the way they are?

This subject will provide you with resources and activities, developed by geneticists and media experts, to help you develop a solid understanding of genetics concepts, how they relate to multiple aspects of our lives and how they are portrayed by the mainstream and social media.

Completion of this subject will enable you to critically evaluate media articles relating to genetics, to identify the accuracy with which genetics is reported and be more alert to how and why the media portrays genetics topics as it does. Whether or not you have previously studied, or plan to continue studying, genetics, this subject will enable you to contribute informed opinions to many diverse conversations and debates around current and emerging genetics topics that influence our everyday lives.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:  

  • Utilise foundational genetic terminology;
  • Describe and apply patterns of inheritance in context;
  • Discuss the role of commonly used genetic techniques in the world today;
  • Critically evaluate media reports about genetics, considering both the accuracy of the genetic information and the way that genetics is portrayed in the media; and 
  • Differentiate between reliable and unreliable media sources and describe the features of each in the context of current genetics topics.

Generic skills

On completion of this subject, students should be able to: 

  • demonstrate digital and scientific literacy skills; 
  • communicate effectively in both written and oral forms; 
  • critically assess information from a range of sources for its quality, accuracy, and relevance; and
  • provide constructive feedback on other students’ work. 

Last updated: 6 December 2023

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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: 6 December 2023

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Five equally weighted individual online tests or discussion posts of no more than 100 words each in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10

  • 500 words (total)
From Week 2 to Week 1010%

Two equally weighted individual written activities of no more than 500 words each in approximately weeks 7 and 9

  • 1000 words (total)
From Week 7 to Week 920%

A major individual assignment involving the preparation of a video

  • 3-5 minutes
Week 1220%

A written examination

  • 2 hours
During the examination period50%

Last updated: 6 December 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 1 - Online
    CoordinatorMel Saligari
    Mode of deliveryOnline
    Contact hours1 x 1-hour synchronous online workshop per week. This subject will be delivered completely online and requires time spent viewing online content in the form of short videos, readings and online follow-up activities including formative quizzes and discussion boards (6 hours per week).
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024
    Census date 3 April 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024
    Assessment period ends21 June 2024

    Semester 1 contact information

    mel.saligari@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Last updated: 6 December 2023

Further information

Last updated: 6 December 2023