Outline

Overview

Cell biology is one of the most dynamic areas of modern research. In both plants and animals, cell-to-cell communication and coordination of the cell cycle, as well as cellular division and migration, are vital for normal development of various tissues from stem cells. In this unit you will investigate, the diversity of cell types, how these different cells interact with each other, how the cell cycle is controlled, as well as studying the roles of cellular movement, differentiation and interaction in reproduction and development. In this unit, you will acquire a deep understanding of the established knowledge base and develop research skills to extend this knowledge. Discussions will incorporate recent advances in cell research including the regenerative potential of stem cells to replace damaged and diseased tissue and how the placenta can control the physiology of the mother and foetus. The laboratory training will provide you with hands on experience with key equipment and techniques. The advanced program, will provide you with an opportunity to complete an authentic research project in a specialized area of cell biology.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A mark of at least 70 from (BIOL1XX3 or BIOL1XX7 or BIOL1XX8 or MBLG1XXX or MEDS1X01)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	BIOL2016 or BIOL2916 or BIOL2029
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Murray Thomson, murray.thomson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Osu Lilje, osu.lilje@sydney.edu.au
	Murray Thomson, murray.thomson@sydney.edu.au
	Min Chen, min.chen@sydney.edu.au
	Marcus Heisler, marcus.heisler@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Theory exam Written answers	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 1 Short answer and multiple choice questions	5%	Week 04	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Quiz 2 Short answer and multiple choice questions	5%	Week 08	50 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Assignment for advanced students Manuscript or literature review	20%	Week 10 Due date: 03 May 2024 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Laboratory work Scientific lab manual	10%	Week 13 Due date: 24 May 2024 at 16:00	n/a
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Quizzes: Short quizzes, held in the laboratory, will cover the lecture material from the previous weeks, and will also relate to the previous practical classes, focussing on the main principles, overall results, and key conclusions.
Laboratory work: Throughout the semester, you must maintain a complete record of your experiments in your laboratory book, including all the original results of your experiments and answers to any questions. You will then submit your laboratory book for marking.
Assignment for advanced students: You can do either a lab-based study that you write up as a scientific manuscript or a literature review on 10 papers and a topic that your supervisor will choose. Before starting the work on the assignment, you must contact one of the academic supervisors listed and establish a student–supervisor relationship in the first three weeks of the unit. The supervisor will discuss your ideas with you and assist you in developing the ideas further. A typical literature review covers a research area with a focus on surveying and evaluating the research details, summarising the results into main conclusions, and suggesting strategies for further research in the area.
Final exam: The theory exam will consist of questions that require written answers. Each of the lecturers will set questions relevant to their lecture material.
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.

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 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.

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.

Learning support

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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Visualising cells	Lecture (1 hr)
	Principles of cell signalling	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell biology techniques	Practical (3 hr)
Week 02	Cellular control by mitochondria	Lecture (1 hr)
	Signalling through G-protein coupled receptors	Lecture (1 hr)
	Arabidopsis model plant A	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	Phospholipase and calcium cell signalling	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell signalling through enzyme coupled receptors	Lecture (1 hr)
	1. Signal transduction in Euglena; 2. Arabidopsis model plant B	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Cellular endocrinology	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell culture	Lecture (1 hr)
	Arabidopsis model plant C	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Cell signalling routes in gene regulation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cell signalling in plants	Lecture (1 hr)
	Explant cell culture	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Function and origin of the cytoskeleton	Lecture (1 hr)
	Actin and actin binding proteins	Lecture (1 hr)
	The mitochondrion	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Cell contraction via actin and myosin	Lecture (1 hr)
	Microtubules and cellular traffic	Lecture (1 hr)
	Analysis of tissue specific gene expression I	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Intermediate filaments and cell migration	Lecture (1 hr)
	The mitotic and cytokinetic apparatus	Lecture (1 hr)
	Analysis of gene specific gene expression II	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Control of the cell cycle	Lecture (1 hr)
	Plant cells and development	Lecture (1 hr)
	No practical this week	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	Cell junctions	Lecture (1 hr)
	Overview of development	Lecture (1 hr)
	Compund and digital microscopy / Set up for Plant cells	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Mechanisms of pattern formation	Lecture (1 hr)
	Tissues and the extracellular matrix	Lecture (1 hr)
	Plant cells & development 1	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Cell death	Lecture (1 hr)
	Cancer in cells and tissues 1	Lecture (1 hr)
	Plant cells & development 2	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Cancer in cells and tissues 2	Lecture (1 hr)
	Stem cells and tissue renewal	Lecture (1 hr)
	Bioactive molecules from sea anemones	Practical (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend all practical classes.

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

Alberts B., Johnson A., Lewis J., Raff M., Roberts K., Walter P. (2022) Molecular Biology of the Cell (Seventh edition). Garland Publishing Inc., New York & London, available from booktopia.com.au

ISBN-9780393884852

Learning outcomes

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 skills developed in the operation of stereo and compound microscopes and their use in cell and tissue research
LO2. apply competencies in calculating the concentration of cells and chemicals in a changed volume of solute
LO3. develop skills in the culture of cells in vitro and the use of cell cultures for research
LO4. generate your own unique cell biology data, apply key cell biology research techniques to solve novel questions and create a scientific manuscript
LO5. understand the major pathways in intercellular and intracellular communication and signalling
LO6. evaluate research on the molecular machinery that allows endocrine glands such as the hypothalamus and pituitary to control cellular processes in the body of animals
LO7. understand the cytoskeleton and how it allows cells to function including movement and the formation of intracellular transport pathways and networks
LO8. describe the mechanism and control of the cell cycle at the molecular level and how the loss of these controls can lead to cancer and cancer progression
LO9. understand the molecular mechanisms that control apoptosis and how apoptosis is used in development
LO10. evaluate current research on development processes in plants and animals.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Thanks everyone for your terrific feedback, it was so good to see that the majority of you came away from this unit with positive impressions about aspects of learning such as, finding the unit engaging enjoying the lectures and feeling supported by the staff This year it was very evident that there was such a fantastic community spirit amongst all the students in the practical classes on Wednesday and Thursday and all the staff looked forward each week to coming to the lab, so it is great to hear that many of you did too. In particular, I noticed that all the students were so easy going and supportive of each other, which was lovely to see and be a part of. I have to mention how much I enjoyed chatting with you in and after the lectures, I am so glad that you all quickly became comfortable with an informal interactive lecture format. When I look back at what we discussed in the labs and the lectures I agree with those of you who said there were some fascinating and stimulating topics. Most of all I hope that you developed confidence in your lab-based capabilities and developed your curiosity and drive for science. All the best for Semester 2, cheers, Murray

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

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.

No smoking or eating allowed as ether, alcohol and other toxic and/or flammable chemicals will be in use. Do not place food or drink on the lab benches. If you need to eat or drink, take the food/drink items from your bag and exit the lab before consuming them, when you return to the lab place food and drink or containers into your bag.

Labcoats to be worn at all times in the lab.

Safety glasses to be worn at all times, except when using microscopes or instructed by the supervisor. Always keep your safety glasses in your bag and bring them to prac classes. Buy a glasses case from the $2 shop it will keep them in good condition.

Wash your hands on leaving the laboratory, especially if you have been handling hazardous chemicals or microbiological plates.

During some of the experimental work, you will be required to handle potentially dangerous chemicals and equipment. You must abide the provided warning of these hazardous steps guidelines for the safety procedures as failure to observe these safety procedures could result in severe injury. Place biological waste into the marked bags.

Non-absorbent footwear (shoes with closed in toes and fully covering heels and the top of the foot to the ankle) to be worn at all times. Students with unsuitable footwear will not be permitted to enter the laboratories.

Place used sharps; syringes, glass slides etc into the yellow sharps containers.

Do not sit on the benches, always sit on the lab stools.

Make sure you know where the emergency eyewash and shower is.

Note the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, fire blanket and first aid kit.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BIOL2929: Cell Biology (Advanced)

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect