Availabilities:
| Location | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Coast | Term5 | Term5 |
| Online | Term5 | Term5 |
Unit description
Introduces students to the principles of molecular genetics and aspects of population, evolutionary and conservation genetics. An emphasis is given to understanding the key concepts underlying the experimental molecular biology techniques and DNA manipulations. Topics include Mendelian genetics, chromosome structure, DNA replication, transcription, translation, gene expression, mutation and DNA repair, molecular genetic analysis, complex genetic disease, DNA testing, biotechnology and gene therapy.
Unit content
- Introduction to genetics, DNA and Chromosomes structure, meiosis and sexual reproduction
- Mendelian inheritance patterns and pedigrees. Non-Mendelian inheritance patterns
- How genes work at the molecular level: DNA replication, transcription, translation and control of gene expression and epigenetics
- Mutation of genes and chromosomes: the source of heritable variation. Detection of genetic variation: PCR, DNA sequencing and other genetic analyses
- Population Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, Conservation genetics
- Genetically inherited diseases, gene therapy, molecular genetics in biotechnology
Learning outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.
| On completion of this unit, students should be able to: | |
|---|---|
| 1 | describe the processes relating to DNA and chromosome structure, replication and expression of genetic material |
| 2 | explain mechanisms of DNA inheritance, recombination, and DNA repair |
| 3 | explain and relate key principles of molecular biology to relevant methods of identification to detect genetic variation and/or genetic diseases |
| 4 | develop analytical and laboratory skills in molecular genetics |
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
- describe the processes relating to DNA and chromosome structure, replication and expression of genetic material
- explain mechanisms of DNA inheritance, recombination, and DNA repair
- explain and relate key principles of molecular biology to relevant methods of identification to detect genetic variation and/or genetic diseases
- develop analytical and laboratory skills in molecular genetics
Prescribed Learning Resources
- Pierce, BA, 2017, Genetics: A Conceptual Approach, 6th edn, WH Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN: 978-1-319-05096-2.
- The 6th edition or the 5th edition will be fine: Jorde, LB, Carey, JC, & Bamshad, MJ, 2015, Medical genetics, 6th edn, Elsevier.
Teaching and assessment
Fee information
Domestic
Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees
International
Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.