Outline

Overview

Cell biology is one of the most dynamic areas in science today. In both plants and animals, cell to cell communication and coordination of the cell cycle, as well as cellular division and migration, are vital for normal development of various tissues from stem cells. In this unit you will investigate, the diversity of cell types, how these different cells interact with each other, how the cell cycle is controlled, as well as studying the roles of cellular movement, differentiation and interaction in reproduction and development. In this unit, you will acquire a deep understanding of the established knowledge base and develop research skills to extend this knowledge. Discussions will incorporate recent advances in cell research including the regenerative potential of stem cells to replace damaged and diseased tissue and how the placenta can control the physiology of the mother and foetus. The laboratory program, provides you with hands on training in key techniques such as cell culture, cell signal transduction, mitochondrial physiology, drug discovery in marine organisms, digital microscopy and tissue specific gene expression. These skills will prepare you for a research pathway and/or a career that includes cell biology.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BIOL2029
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	BIOL2016 or BIOL2916 or BIOL2929
Prerequisites ?	BIOL1XX3 or BIOL1XX7 or BIOL1XX8 or MBLG1XXX or MEDS1X01
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Murray Thomson, murray.thomson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Min Chen, min.chen@sydney.edu.au
	Osu Lilje, osu.lilje@sydney.edu.au
	Murray Thomson, murray.thomson@sydney.edu.au
	Marcus Heisler, marcus.heisler@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final exam Written answers.	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 Short answer and multiple choice questions	5%	Week 04	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Report Research manuscript	20%	Week 07 Due date: 10 Apr 2022 at 23:00	Approximately 1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 2 Short answer and multiple choice questions	5%	Week 12	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Laboratory work Laboratory class performance and lab book portfolio	10%	Week 13 Due date: 27 May 2022 at 16:00	Completion of lab manual
Outcomes assessed:
= Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Quizzes: The 2 quizzes will be run during practicals and are held in the laboratory. The questions will cover the lecture material from the previous weeks, and will also relate to the previous practical classes, focussing on the main principles, overall results, and key conclusions. There is a practice quiz for you to see the format on the Blackboard site. Please make sure you are on time, to avoid losing valuable time and marks.
Report: The report is prepared on an individual basis and is based on the work that you did in a nominated lab session. The report needs to be thoroughly researched, well organised and properly referenced, typed, and contain all the sections listed in the report guideline that will be provided to you.
Laboratory work: During each laboratory session, you need to record all the original results of your experiments and write answers to any questions.
Exam: The theory exam will consist of questions that require written answers. Each of the lecturers will set questions relevant to their lecture material. Examples of exam papers from previous years are available in the library and on the Learning Management System web site.
This assessment is compulsory and failure to attend, attempt, or submit will result in the award of an AF grade.
If a second replacement exam is required, this exam may be delivered via an alternative assessment method, such as a viva voce (oral exam). The alternative assessment will meet the same learning outcomes as the original exam. The format of the alternative assessment will be determined by the unit coordinator.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Visualising cells	Lecture (1 hr)
	Principles of cell signalling	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell biology techniques	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 02	Cellular control by mitochondria	Lecture (1 hr)
	Signalling through G-protein coupled receptors	Lecture (1 hr)
	Arabidopsis model plant A	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 03	Phospholipase and calcium cell signalling	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell signalling through enzyme coupled receptors	Lecture (1 hr)
	Signal transduction and motility in Euglena (Arabidopsis plant B)	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 04	Cellular endocrinology	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell culture	Lecture (1 hr)
	Arabidopsis model plant C	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 05	Cell signalling routes in gene regulation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell signalling in plants	Lecture (1 hr)
	Explant cell culture	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 06	Function and origin of the cytoskeleton	Lecture (1 hr)
	Actin and actin binding proteins	Lecture (1 hr)
	Bioactive molecules from sea anemones	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 07	Cell contraction via actin and myosin	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Microtubules and cellular traffic	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Intermediate filaments and cell migration	Lecture (1 hr)
	The mitotic and cytokinetic apparatus	Lecture (1 hr)
	Compound and digital microscopy/ Set up for plant cells	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 09	Plant cells and development	Lecture (1 hr)
	Control of the cell cycle	Lecture (1 hr)
	Plant cells and development 1	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 10	Cell junctions	Lecture (1 hr)
	Overview of development	Lecture (1 hr)
	Plant cells and development 2	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 11	Mechanisms of pattern formation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell death	Lecture (1 hr)
	Analysis of tissue specific gene expression 1	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 12	Tissues and the extracellular matrix	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cancer in cells and tissues 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Analysis of tissue specific gene expression 2	Science laboratory (4 hr)
Week 13	Cancer in cells and tissues 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Stem cells and tissue renewal	Lecture (1 hr)
	The Mitochondrion	Science laboratory (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend all practical clesses.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Alberts B., Johnson A., Lewis J., Raff M., Roberts K., Walter P. (2014) Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth edition). Garland Publishing Inc., New York & London

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. apply skills developed in the operation of stereo and compound microscopes and their use in cell and tissue research
LO2. apply competencies in calculating the concentration of cells and chemicals in a changed volume of solute
LO3. develop skills in the culture of cells in vitro and the use of cell cultures for research
LO4. generate your own unique cell biology data, apply key cell biology research techniques to solve novel questions and create a scientific manuscript
LO5. understand the major pathways in intercellular and intracellular communication and signalling
LO6. evaluate research on the molecular machinery that allows endocrine glands such as the hypothalamus and pituitary to control cellular processes in the body of animals
LO7. understand the cytoskeleton and how it allows cells to function including movement and the formation of intracellular transport pathways and networks
LO8. describe the mechanism and control of the cell cycle at the molecular level and how the loss of these controls can lead to cancer and cancer progression
LO9. understand the molecular mechanisms that control apoptosis and how apoptosis is used in development
LO10. evaluate current research on development processes in plants and animals.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

More advice provided on help and support available. Video resource made on the differences between primary and secondary scientific literature and how to use it in the assignment report.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BIOL2029: Cell Biology

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect