Skip to main content
Unit outline_

CHNG5602: Cellular Biophysics

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will cover the emerging field of biosensors, soft electronics and soft robotics and smart materials. In this unit, students will be given solid background about biophysics and its application for the development of biosensors. Students will learn about thermodynamics of enzyme catalysis, protein folding, antibody-antigen interaction, and how these biological mechanisms can be adapted in biosensors. They will also learn about the fundamentals of biosensors that are designed for medical, agricultural, food safety and quality applications. An insight will be provided for various components of sensors, the biochemical, transducing elements of biosensors and the principals of sensor that are based on enzymatic, immunosensing and DNA chips. These concepts will be then linked to enzymatic sensors, immunosensors, and DNA chips.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Fariba Dehghani, fariba.dehghani@sydney.edu.au
Guest lecturer(s) Syamak Farajikhah, syamak.farajikhah@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sina Naficy, sina.naficy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Assignment 1
Each student needs to answer selected questions.
10% Week 03
Due date: 09 Aug 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 22 Aug 2021
Maximum 5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Skills-based evaluation Quiz 1
Based on lectures Week1-4
12.5% Week 05
Due date: 10 Sep 2021 at 23:59
one hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Quiz 2
Based on lectures in week 5 to 7
12.5% Week 08
Due date: 08 Oct 2021 at 23:59
one hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Assignment Project 2
This is an interim report for the selected topic
25% Week 09
Due date: 11 Oct 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 11 Oct 2021
5-10 pages report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation group assignment Group oral presentation
Oral presentation for project 1
15% Week 13
Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 23:59
15 Minutes presentation for each group.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment group assignment Project 1
This is the report for the selected topic assigned to each group.
25% Week 13
Due date: 09 Nov 2021 at 13:00

Closing date: 22 Jun 2021
25-30 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

The topic for individual project will be given and it is expected that each student prepare a comprehensive report based on the task described in Canvas and submit it in due date.

The topic for group project will be given and it is expected that each group work on the tasks described in detail in Canvas and submit a final report and have a presentation at the end of semester.

It is expected that each student approximately spend 7 hours per week on different aspects of this UoS. 

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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.

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
Ongoing The approximate time to study course content is about 7 hours per week. Individual study (84 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 01 Introduction- Biosensor’s history and classification Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Electrochemical transducers Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Optical transducers Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Mass and calorimetric transducers Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Enzymes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Antibody-antigens Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Proteins and peptides Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 No Lecture and tutorial- Mid semester Quiz Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Case study: Biosensors in Biomedicals Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Case study: Biosensors in Food Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Teamwork Evaluation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Biosensor design and challenges for marketing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Group presentation for project 1 Seminar (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • This UoS involve two projects, one for individual assessment and the second for teamwork assessment. 
  • It is expected that you attend the lectures, also self-learning by conducting research to acquire the required knowledge through the assigned proejcts and assignment and tutorials.
  • It is expected that each student spend at least 7 hrs per week for self learning and study for this UoS.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed through different references presented during lectures. 

The following book is also recommended for further study

Biosensors: Essential, For further volumes: Gennady Evtugyn, volume 84, Springer,  http://www.springer.com/series/632

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 and appreciate the rapidly advancing new developments in molecular biology and biotechnology.
  • LO2. Develop skills in developing sensing technologies for biological systems (cells, microorganisms, biomolecules, etc)
  • LO3. Analyze and appreciate the rapidly advancing new developments in the emerging technologies of soft electronics, smart wearable, and soft robotics.
  • LO4. Compare and evaluate various sensing technologies and their fundamentals

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.

This UoS is offered for the first time after major revision in course content to make it more aligned with recent initiative by the Faculty of Engineering for Data Science.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visit guidelines for this unit.

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.