1. Handbook
  2. Subjects
  3. Genes: Organisation and Function

Genes: Organisation and Function (GENE30002)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

You’re viewing the 2023 Handbook:
Or view archived Handbooks
Summer Term, January and February subjects, where the teaching ends prior to the commencement of Semester 1, 2023, will be taught on campus with some subjects offered in dual-delivery and online modes.
From Semester 1, 2023 our undergraduate programs will be delivered on campus. Graduate programs will mainly be delivered on campus, with dual-delivery and online options available to a select number of subjects within some programs.
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.

Overview

Availability
Semester 1
FeesLook up fees

This subject focuses on gene structure, function and regulation, which form the molecular basis of many important biological phenomena such as short-term organismal and cellular responses to rapid changes in environmental conditions and long-term controls of development. The molecular mechanisms underlying these phenomena are frequently exploited in biotechnology, medical and agricultural applications. The modern molecular techniques used to study these processes will be presented. The topics to be covered in this subject include prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene structure; action and regulation; genomic and recombinant DNA methodology; molecular genetic manipulation of a wide variety of organisms to generate defined changes in the genome; the cell cycle and developmental genetics.

Intended learning outcomes

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

  • Explain current concepts of gene structure and the molecular basis of genetic processes, including diverse molecular mechanisms for generating gene products and regulating their expression in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes;
  • Discuss how experimental results and data from classical genetics, recombinant DNA and genomics experiments solve specific biological problems;
  • Interpret information in the field of molecular genetics through the study of the current scientific literature;
  • Synthesise basic concepts and knowledge to enable assessment of newly reported findings in the field of molecular genetics; and
  • Explain how modern molecular techniques are applied in biotechnology, medical and agricultural contexts.

Generic skills

At the completion of this subject, students should have gained skills in: 

  • interpretation of experimental data;
  • evaluation of scientific literature;
  • critical thinking and problem solving; and
  • synthesis of complex concepts from basic principles.

Last updated: 26 November 2022