Outline

Overview

Synthetic biology (SynBio) is a new and rapidly evolving science that exists at the intersection of biology and engineering. Due to recent advances in technologies such as in-vitro DNA synthesis, the possibilities of SynBio for construction of new organisms (GMOs) are now virtually limitless. These powerful technologies hold both promise and peril, and thus they need to be wielded cautiously and ethically. In this unit, students will learn to design and construct new microorganisms, assess the risks associated with these, and use these novel GMOs to solve real-world problems. These activities will be conducted as part of the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, and the students in MICR3988 will constitute the University of Sydney's team in this competition. MICR3988 is primarily a hands-on research project, which will be conducted in an academic research lab. The students will design, build, and test a biological system of their own design using interchangeable DNA parts in microbial host cells. The work is interdisciplinary, involving microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, mathematical modelling, web design, science communication, science outreach, and industry engagement. The major output is a webpage which will be hosted in perpetuity by the iGEM Foundation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Chemistry Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	72 credit points of units of study and a WAM greater than 65
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Yu Heng Lau, yuheng.lau@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s)	Clement Luong, clement.luong@sydney.edu.au
Project supervisor(s)	Constance Bailey, constance.bailey@sydney.edu.au
Project supervisor(s)	Yu Heng Lau, yuheng.lau@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Webpage (wiki) Webpage describing project.	20%	Mid-semester break Due date: 04 Oct 2024 at 23:59	-
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Supervisor mark Assesses relative effort and contribution	20%	STUVAC	-
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Statement of Intent Statement of intent using persuasive writing.	10%	Week 01 Due date: 02 Aug 2024 at 23:59	1 page
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Video Video upload for the iGEM jamboree	10%	Week 10 Due date: 11 Oct 2024 at 23:59	15 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	in-semester theory quiz Assesses knowledge of synthetic biology concepts and methods	20%	Week 12	60 min
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Oral presentation Oral presentation at the iGEM jamboree	10%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflective journal Written summary of experiences throughout the year	10%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Statement of intent (individual, assignment): 10%

Oral presentation at Jamboree (group, presentation): 10%

Poster or video presentation at Jamboree (group, presentation): 10%

Webpage (wiki) (group, assignment): 20%

In-semester theory quiz: (individual, quiz): 20%

Supervisor mark: (individual, skills evaluation): 20%

Reflective journal: (individual, assignment): 10%

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.

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:

Written assignments submitted late without permission (see Special Considerations: http://sydney.edu.au/students/special-consideration-and-arrangements.html) will incur a late penalty equal to 5% of the maximum awardable mark per day. These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days or until a solution for the assignment is released or marked assignments are returned to other students. At that point the mark awarded will be zero.

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
Multiple weeks	Research project work (wet lab and dry lab)	Project (150 hr)
Multiple weeks	Weekly team meetings with supervisor	Workshop (15 hr)
Pre-semester	Statement of Intent	Independent study (2 hr)
Pre-semester	Lab safety induction	Science laboratory (3 hr)
Week 10	Video presentation	Independent study (5 hr)
Week 13	Oral presentation	Independent study (5 hr)
Week 13	Giant Jamboree	Workshop (20 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Effectively work in a team to achieve common research goals.
LO2. Use the scientific literature to understand a topic area in depth.
LO3. Understand and discuss the concepts and methods of synthetic biology.
LO4. Design, carry out, and troubleshoot experiments in microbiology and molecular biology.
LO5. Communicate scientific ideas effectively via multiple avenues (talk, poster, webpage).
LO6. Take professional responsibility for the biosafety issues involved in work on GMOs.
LO7. Engage in meaningful dialogue concerning the ethical issues involved in work on GMOs.

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered in this format.

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MICR3988: Synthetic Biology: The iGEM Competition (Adv)

Semester 2, 2024 [Supervision] - 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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect