| Semester 2, 2022 Online | |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Agriculture and Environmental Science |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Examiner:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: BIO1100 or BIO1101 or BIO1204 or AGR1101
Overview
Genetics is the study of inheritance or how organisms use and transfer biological information during their lifetimes. An understanding of the principles of genetics is important for an informed awareness of many human problems related to genetic dysfunction. Furthermore, knowledge of genetics is necessary for students whose future professions involve the physiology, pathology, agricultural, food science, nutrition, microbiology and biotechnology fields.
The course presents the scientific basis of heredity. The course commences with a review of mitosis and meiosis, an overview of Mendelian genetics and introduces complex genetic traits and the effects of inbreeding. Next, the impacts of gene frequency changes on the evolution of populations are considered. Mapping the location of genes on chromosomes, chromosomal variation and the effects of mutations on gene expression are studied. Aspects of medical and agricultural genetics are explored in detail including the genetic basis of human, animal and plant disease, DNA testing, genetic counselling, biotechnology and gene therapy.
Course learning outcomes
On completion of this course students should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the science of genetics and its relation to inheritance (All assessments)
- demonstrate an understanding of the field of population genetics (All assessments)
- understand the process of gene mapping, chromosomal variation and the impacts of mutagens on chromosome structure (All assessments)
- demonstrate an appreciation of the implications of inheritance in human and plant health (All assessments)
- understand and explain practical problems in genetics (All assessments)
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Classical Genetics: gene & chromosome transmission | 30.00 |
| 2. | Population Genetics: genetic variability within populations | 10.00 |
| 3. | Molecular Genetics: mapping, expression & mutation of genes; the genetic basis of human disease | 60.00 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | No | 15 | 1,3,4 |
| Quiz | No | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Problem Solving | No | 25 | 1,3,4 |
| Time limited online examinatn | No | 30 | 1,2,3,4,5 |