BCHM460-23S1 (C) Semester One 2023

Molecular Biology

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 20 February 2023
End Date: Sunday, 25 June 2023
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 5 March 2023
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 14 May 2023

Description

Molecular biology comprises a suite of tools and approaches for understanding the structure and function of DNA, RNA and proteins. The primary goal of this course is to assist the development of scholars with advanced technical skills in molecular biology who can use these tools to infer evolutionary and functional relationships.

The primary goal of this course is to assist your development as a scholar and advance your research skills in fields of science that use molecular genetic data to answer a wide diversity of biological questions. Molecular Biology is a course that is particularly aimed at students who want to pursue a career in fields of biology that require an ability to analyse and interpret DNA sequence data, such as microbiology, molecular evolution, bioinformatics, systematics, molecular genetics/genomics and molecular ecology.

Learning Outcomes

  • Intended learning outcomes and associated assessment
    At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
  • Explain and discuss how phylogenetic and molecular biological approaches contribute to addressing deep problems facing society (GP1&5; assessment task: final exam).
  • Discuss how indigenous knowledge contributes to addressing the Biodiversity Crisis (GP3(K1,5,&6); assessment task: final exam).
  • Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of experimental design, methodology and data in the fields of phylogenetics and molecular biology (GP1; assessment task: final exam).
  • Critically evaluate molecular phylogenetic evidence (GP2; assessment task: final exam)
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scholarship on digital sequence information as it relates to discussions about responding to a global pandemic (GP1&5; assessment tasks: DSI debate, final exam)
  • Critically evaluate the complexities of defining digital sequence information and its geopolitical context (GP1,3(K5&6)&5; assessment tasks: DSI debate, final exam)

    Transferable Skills
    The following skills are developed in this course:
  • Independent and self-motivated learning. A life-skill that is important in any career (GP2)
  • Synthesising information. In everyday life and in many job situations you will be required to read information from different sources, construct your own understanding, shape your own viewpoint and express it. (GP2)
  • Written and oral communication. Many employers require employees to have good communication skills (GP2).
  • Ability to recognise how local and indigenous science influences and is influenced by global activities (GP3).
  • Formulate clear, concise and evidence-based arguments in support of a perspective (GP 1&2)

Prerequisites

RP: BIOL333, BIOL334, BCHM301/BIOL331, BIOL335

Restrictions

BIOL434/BCHM405/BIOL460

Equivalent Courses

Recommended Preparation

BIOL333, BIOL334, BCHM301/BIOL331, BIOL335

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Pieter Pelser

Lecturer

Jack Heinemann

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Response to feedback 10%
Short answer assignment 15%
Essay 60%
Essay presentation seminar 15%


• Attendance is mandatory. Failure to attend could result in failing the course. Active participation during seminars is expected.
• You will need to come prepared for the seminars by reading assigned material in advance. Students are expected to be able to answer questions when called upon in class during discussions of this material.
• As a rule of thumb, set aside about 12.5 hrs of effective self-study for every class hour (not including remedial review if it is required), in addition to writing time for assessments.

Course links

Course Outline

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,114.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Biological Sciences .

All BCHM460 Occurrences

  • BCHM460-23S1 (C) Semester One 2023