Semester 1, 2022 Toowoomba On-campus | |
Units : | 1 |
Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
School or Department : | School of Health and Medical Sciences |
Grading basis : | Graded |
Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Examiner:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: BIO1103 and BIO1203 and BIO1204
Overview
Molecular Diagnostics is a highly specialised and rapidly growing discipline in Medical Laboratory Science. Molecular Diagnostics 1 will enable students to extend their foundational knowledge of chromosomal structure and function, cellular processes and human physiology and apply it to a study of human disease at the molecular level. This course will provide students with the foundational theoretical knowledge that underpins a range of molecular diagnostic techniques supplemented with case studies that illustrate their application in medical diagnostics. This course will prepare students for further studies in this discipline in third year.
This course will explore the following four major themes: human cell biology and medical genetics; cytogenetic principles, nomenclature and molecular cytogenetics; chromosomal analysis in disease; and prenatal cytogenetics and fertility testing. Tutorials will extend the student's knowledge by providing problem-solving tasks, case study investigations and journal article discussions. This course contains a mandatory two-day residential school for both external and on-campus students. This residential school will provide students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to practical cytogenetic testing and extended investigation of case studies in specific human diseases that are characterised by known genetic aberrations.
Course learning outcomes
On completion of this course students should be able to:
- describe the key processes associated with the cell cycle and division, chromosomal structure and function and fundamental medical genetic concepts;
- explain fundamental cytogenetic principles, nomenclature, and the basic concepts that underpin cytogenetic testing in the diagnosis and screening of human disease;
- follow standard procedures within the laboratory environment to develop fundamental skills in basic cytogenetic diagnostic techniques;
- explain the theoretical concepts associated with common chromosomal aberrations and how these can result in human diseases, and the mechanisms involved in disease progression;
- apply safe laboratory practices and professional and ethical standards associated with working in a clinical genetics laboratory;
- communicate and work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
Topics
Description | Weighting(%) | |
---|---|---|
1. | Human cell biology and medical genetics | 30.00 |
2. | Cytogenetic principles, nomenclature and introductory molecular cytogenetics | 20.00 |
3. | Chromosomal analysis in human disease | 25.00 |
4. | Prenatal cytogenetics and seminal analyses | 15.00 |
5. | Laboratory skills and practice | 10.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
Description | Group Assessment |
Weighting (%) | Course learning outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Quiz A1 of 3 | No | 15 | 1 |
Report 1 | No | 20 | 1,3,4,5,6 |
Quiz A2 of 3 | No | 10 | 2 |
Report 2 | No | 10 | 1,2,4,6 |
Problem Solving | No | 20 | 1,2,4,6 |
Quiz A3 of 3 | No | 25 | 1,2,4 |