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Unit of study_
LIFE4101: Advanced Life Science
Living organisms are impacted by processes that occur across a very wide range of scales. These range from rapid processes at the molecular and cellular scale to multi-year processes at environmental and evolutionary scales. One of the great challenges for modern systems biology is integrating measurements across these scales to understand gene x environment interactions. This unit will develop your skills in this area through critical analysis of a series of recent research papers on a themed topic in small group discussions. For each paper we will explore principles behind the key methods and the methods' practicality. We will look at how those methods were incorporated into an experimental design to address a biological question. We will critically assess the support for conclusions in their paper and their scientific significance. By doing this unit you will develop skills in reading and interpreting primary scientific literature and an advanced understanding of the modern topic in systems biology. You will gain a high level of understanding of the theory of key biochemical and statistical methods for analysis of genes, proteins, and cells in biological systems. You will gain the confidence to apply these insights to planning, conducting and reporting your own research findings.
| Code | LIFE4101 |
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| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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A WAM of 65 or greater. 144 credit points of units of study, including a minimum of 12 credit points from the following (AMED3XXX or ANAT3XXX or ANSC3105 or BCHM3XXX or BCMB3XXX or BIOL3XXX or CPAT3XXX or ENVX3XXX or FOOD3XXX or GEGE3XXX or HSTO3XXX or IMMU3XXX or INFD3XXX or MEDS3XXX or MICR3XXX or NEUR3XXX or NUTM3XXX or PCOL3XXX or PHSI3XXX or QBIO3XXX or SCPU3001 or STAT3XXX or VIRO3XXX) |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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This unit is advanced coursework related to understanding cellular and molecular processes in biology. It assumes background knowledge of cellular and molecular biological aspects of the life sciences consistent with a degree major in Biochemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Cell Pathology, Genetics and Genomics, Immunobiology, Infectious Diseases, Medical Science, Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Nutrition and Metabolism, Nutrition Science, or Quantitative Life Sciences |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of key techniques in characterisation of proteins.
- LO2. Demonstrate an understanding of key techniques in determining gene functions.
- LO3. Demonstrate an understanding of key techniques for identification and quantitation of distinct cell types.
- LO4. Apply key techniques to design experiments in cell and molecular biology.
- LO5. Critique the reliability and significance of datasets presented in scientific papers.
- LO6. Facilitate the effective exchange of information, opinions and ideas in small groups.
- LO7. Distill large data sets to effectively communicate scientific information.
Unit outlines
Unit outlines will be available 1 week before the first day of teaching for the relevant session.
- Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
- Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote
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