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Unit outline_

BCMB3888: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Project

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Our ever-changing world requires knowledge that extends across multiple disciplines. This unit presents the opportunity to bring together the concepts and skills you have learnt in biochemistry and molecular biology and apply them to an authentic interdisciplinary project that blends biochemistry and molecular biology and a different discipline. In this unit, you will continue to understand, explore and apply disciplinary knowledge, while also meeting and collaborating with students from a different discipline in the University through project-based learning; identifying and solving problems, collecting and analysing data and communicating your findings to a diverse audience. All of these skills are highly valued by employers. This unit will foster the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, and this is essential for both professional and research pathways in future.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(BCMB2XX1 or MEDS2003) and BCMB2XX2
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

2000 level biochemistry and molecular biology

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Matthew Clemson, matthew.clemson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Jacqueline Matthews, jacqueline.matthews@sydney.edu.au
Matthew Clemson, matthew.clemson@sydney.edu.au
Ann Kwan, ann.kwan@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task group assignment Individual contribution to group project
Individual Contribution
10% Multiple weeks 200-300 words for each team meeting
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6
Online task Practical & Workshop Reports
LabArchives report write-up following each workshop or practical session.
30% Multiple weeks Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Project Prospoal
Powerpoint (or equivalent), oral presentation plus supporting slides.
0% Week 05
Due date: 30 Aug 2024 at 17:00

Closing date: 30 Aug 2024
5 min talk + Preparation Time
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Final Group Project Portfolio
Group project - documentation (including enriched presentation)
30% Week 12
Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 25 Oct 2024
Equivalent to a 20-30 min presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation group assignment Final Project Presentation
Presentation of final project + Q&A
10% Week 12
Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 17:00

Closing date: 25 Oct 2024
15 min talk + preparation time
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO7
Assignment Individual project report
Discipline specific, individual project report.
20% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Nov 2024
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Project Proposal Presentation – students will work in their interdisciplinary group to prepare and present a research proposal topic (for more details see Canvas).
  • Meeting Minutes/Team Work Evaluation – students will document their role and their peers roles in the group project progress regularly throughout semester.
  • Group Project – Students will work consistently throughout the semester on their project in mentored groups, and prepare an enriched presentation document for a general audience.
  • Project Final Presentation –  students will work in their interdisciplinary group to prepare and present a presentation of their group project for a general (BCMB and MATH) audience.
  • Workshop Reports – students will submit their LabArchives reports of workshops/virtual laboratory sessions (most can be completed during class). 
  • Individual Report – students will prepare a discipline specific detailed report of an aspect of the group project that they were responsible for.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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.

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:

5% per day or part thereof up to 50%, thereafter 0 marks

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Practical Laboratory Experiments Practical (21 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Mentored Groups Project Development Tutorial (9 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 01 UoS Introduction Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Yeast as a Model Organism Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Yeast Lab Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Teamwork and Group Contracts Tutorial (1 hr) LO6 LO7
Week 03 Bioinformatics Workshop Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 04 Experimental Design Workshop Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Project Pitch Presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Final Project presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Unless otherwise stated, students are expected to attend at least 80% of timetabled activities as defined in the unit of study outline. A student may fail this unit of study because of inadequate attendance. 

Students with permitted clashes with other units of study will need to make special arrangements with the unit coordinator. 80% attendance at group meetings (1pm Fridays) is compulsory for all students.

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.

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 disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context
  • LO2. ​Find, define and delimit authentic problems in order to address them. ​
  • LO3. ​Create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes.​
  • LO4. ​Analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills.​
  • LO5. ​​Demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams.​
  • LO6. ​Collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solution(s) to the project problems. ​
  • LO7. ​Communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience.​

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
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         
LO7         

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

In response to feedback, we will have students allocated to their project groups early in semester. Academic mentors will work closely with student groups at the start of semester to help students to define the topic and scope for their group projects. Students will be given one week to complete weekly lab reports. We have re-ordered some of the workshops so that the basic project background research (bioinfomatics) can be completed early in semester.

All activities will be face-to-face. 

Details of face-to-face workshops, practicals and tutorial sessions will be provided via regular weekly updates on Canvas. 

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.