BIOTECH 7003 - Advanced Research Techniques

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2023

This course will expose students to a major research techniques training program. The program will introduce practical aspects of the platform technologies which are delivered as lectures in the complementary course: Advanced Technology Platforms, and develop skills in experimental design and technique. It will include basic laboratory procedures, principles of reagent preparation, good laboratory practice, good manufacturing practice and good clinical practice. The practical course component will be supported by workshops.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOTECH 7003
Course	Advanced Research Techniques
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Assumed Knowledge	BIOCHEM 2500, MICRO 2500
Restrictions	Available to Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology (Biomedical), Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology (Biomedical), Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) and Master of Biotechnology (Biomedical) (Advanced) students only
Assessment	Written reports, laboratory based practical skills, workshop presentations

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Alistair Standish

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Develop essential research and practical skills in the field of biomedical science.
2	Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the practical aspects of research platforms/techniques currently used in biomedical research.
3	Demonstrate the skills required for basic laboratory procedures and principles of reagent preparation.
4	Demonstrate safe laboratory working practice.
5	Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of experimental design, technique and proficiency.
6	Demonstrate an understanding of basic research methodologies.
7	Demonstrate an ability to understand and follow the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) guideline requirements.
8	Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues associated with research in biomedical research.
9	Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of GLP, GMP and GCP.
10	Critically analyse and interpret data generated from specific research platforms.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	5, 6, 10
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	2, 8
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	1, 2, 3, 5, 10
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	2, 5, 6, 10

Learning Resources

Required Resources

No specific text book is required. A laboratory practical manual specific to the course with introductory notes and detailed experimental methodology will be provided. Suggested reading lists, journal articles, web sites and databases will also be provided as required.

Online Learning

MyUni is a resource for this course and students will need to login regularly to check on important course-related announcements and material.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Students will attend an 8 hour laboratory practical session fortnightly (six over the semester). Six workshops of up to 4 hours will also be attended by the students.

For Remote Students
For remote students, the practical being undertaken will be filmed and will be supplemented with Zoom sessions during the practical. The student will be a part of the course co-ordinator's group, and will analyse his results, writing a final report on this basis. In terms of deferred practicals, for remote students, a deferred practical session will be offered - 2 days of 5 hour practicals. This would enable them to have some practical experience, and also their "Practical Proficiency" will be tested.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in this 3 unit course, should expect to spend, up to 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required for the course (e.g. laboratory practical sessions and workshops), as well as non-contact time (e.g. completion workshop assignments, laboratory journal and written report and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

Laboratory Practicals:
Students will undertake a research project that continues for the duration of the semester, based on the laboratory practical manual provided. Students will undertake a series of experimental procedures in order to produce a final product which is a commonly used reagent in biotechnology. Success of the project can be determined by assessing the activity of the reagent.
Students individual proficiency in laboratory techniques will be assessed throughout the course of the project.

Workshops:
Workshops will support the students understanding the experimental techniques used in the laboratory practical sessions. Background information and supporting literature will be provided to students. Students will be required to submit several assignments in which they answer questions based on the experimental theory they have been exposed to in the course.

Written Report:
In this task students will be required to apply the knowledge, in experimental design and execution, that they have gained throughout the course to an hypothetical research question in order to produce an experimental plan with outcomes.

Written Test:
In the written test students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the experimental theory and methods that they have undertaken in the research project and workshop assignments.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle	Learning Outcome
Workshop assignments	Formative or Summative	25%	No	2, 6, 10
Practical proficiency Laboratory journal	Formative and Summative	10% 15%	No	1-10
Written test	Formative and summative	15%	No	2, 5, 6, 10
Written report	Formative and Summative	35%	No	2, 5, 6, 10

Assessment Detail

Laboratory Practicals:
Students individual proficiency in laboratory techniques (10% of final assessment) will be assessed throughout the course of the project. Proficiency in laboratory techniques, demonstration of safe laboratory practice and an ability to comply with OGTR
guidelines is an essential part of the biotechnology course. The students will also be required to submit their laboratory journal for assessment (15% of final assessment). This will be used to assess the student's understanding of laboratory techniques and their ability to critically analyse and interpret data generated from the research platforms used in the research project (LO 2, 6, 10).

For Remote Students the assessments will not change. Students who are undertaking this remotely will get an RP until they do the intensive practical session, so that their Practical Proficiency can be assessed.

Workshops:
Workshops will support the students understanding the experimental techniques used in the laboratory practical sessions. Students will be required to submit several assignments in which they answer questions based on the experimental theory they have been exposed to in the course (25% of final assessment).

Written Test:
In the written test students will be required to demonstrate an understanding of the experimental theory and methods that they have undertaken in the research project and workshop assignments (15% of final assessment).

Written Report:
In this task students will be required to apply the knowledge, in experimental design and execution, that they have gained throughout the course to an hypothetical research question in order to produce an experimental plan with expected outcomes (35% of final assessment).

Submission

Late Submission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator