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Unit outline_

ANSC3105: Animal Biotechnology

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Can genome editing improve animal health and welfare while increasing production outcomes? Will immune based therapy improve cancer outcomes for animals? Can rapid molecular diagnostics identify illegal animal traffic? Will big data generated from sensor technology provide novel solutions for animal management? With a focus on new and emerging technologies, this course addresses these and other topics through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratories, seminars and directed learning instruction.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
GEGE2X01 or GENE2002 or AVBS2005 or MBLG2X72 or VETS1032
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hamutal Mazrier, hamutal.mazrier@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Mehar Khatkar, mehar.khatkar@sydney.edu.au
Peter Bennett, peter.bennett@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Imke Tammen, imke.tammen@sydney.edu.au
Karren Plain, karren.plain@sydney.edu.au
Hamutal Mazrier, hamutal.mazrier@sydney.edu.au
Auriol Purdie, auriol.purdie@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
Online exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Tutorial quiz Tutorials/Practicals
Two online quizzes covering PRC & TUT content and background (of Weeks 1-5)
20% Week 05
Due date: 01 Sep 2022 at 23:59
Each 40 min&15 multiple choice questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Oral presentation
A group evaluation of a recent biotechnology research and its application
10% Week 06
Due date: 06 Sep 2022 at 23:59
10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Presentation Oral Seminar
Oral Seminar on a related topic/article.
10% Week 10
Due date: 13 Oct 2022 at 23:59
8 minutes presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment Assignment
Written Essay - Literature review
20% Week 10
Due date: 11 Oct 2022 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Tutorial quizzes – Two online quizzes covering practical and tutorial content of Weeks 1 to 5 and the related lectures background.

Oral presentation – A group evaluation of a recent biotechnology research and its application.

Assignment – Written Essay/Literature review on a topic connected to animal biotechnology and its current state of knowledge.

Oral Seminar on a research topic or research paper based on the literature review.

Final Exam – The final exam will focus mainly on lecture material, but may cover key concepts from practical and tutorial classes. 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.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A late penalty of 5% per day will be enforced for late submissions. If you are unable to meet the due date, please inform the course coordinator BEFORE the due date. You will be required to apply for special consideration if you believe that you will be unable to submit in the appropriate fashion by the due date. You will be penalised if you submit late without applying for and gaining approval through special consideration.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Manipulating Gene Sequence for Gene Transfer Block teaching (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Genome Engineering, Gene Therapy and Transgenics Lecture and tutorial (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Antibody Engineering and Immune Based Therapy Block teaching (7 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Application of Animal Biotechnologies Block teaching (8 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Regenerative Biotechnologies Lecture (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Journal Article Review Presentation (4 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Animal Biotechnology Seminars Seminar (9 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Introduction to Molecular Technology and Biotechnology Basics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1
Week 07 Writing a Literature Review Tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5

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

No associated textbook.

Please refer to associated reading list page on Canvas for a list of recommended articles that are linked to specific learning activities.

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. understand the mechanisms for manipulation and construction of recombinant DNA
  • LO2. understand emerging animal biotechnologies
  • LO3. understand the potential for applications of these technologies for animal health and production
  • LO4. use standard biosystems tools, to search and analyse relevant data
  • LO5. read and understand current biotechnology literature
  • LO6. apply ethical reasoning to the moral evaluation of animal biotechnology.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Feedback around USS is been incorporated into 2022 outline.

Work, health and safety

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.

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.