Genetics and Genomics (11736.1)

Required texts

Recommended Textbook

Pierce, B.A. (2017). Genetics: a conceptual approach, sixth edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, NY.

This textbook is not a requirement, but recommended for those who would like to reinforce their understanding of the content taught. It may be purchased from the School locker website using this link https://theschoollocker.com.au/universities/university-of-canberra), and is also available as a short-term loan from the UC library. Here is the link to access UC libray resources: https://www.canberra.edu.au/library/teachingstaff/unit-resources). The unit convener also has four copies which may be borrowed on a short term loan. Please contact the unit convener for details.

Additional recommended reading: Simon, E., Dickey, J., Hogan, K. A. & Reece, J. (2016). Campbell Essential Biology: Global Edition (6^th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignments or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the unit Convener or tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details.

Deferred Exams

Mid-semester Exam: In the event a student misses the mid-semester exam due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, student should apply for deferred examination. The application must be lodged within three days of the scheduled examination with supporting evidence and a declaration by the student affirming that they have no knowledge of the content of the initial examination.

Special assessment requirements

Final grades are allocated according to the aggregation of marks achieved in all assessment items. The final mark is out of a possible 100 marks. The details of the weighting of each assessment item are stated in Section 5a of the unit outline.

In order to pass the unit:

1. Students must attempt all four assessment items. 
2. Students must at least achieve 45% on the combined mid semester examination and take home final assessment.
3. Laboratory attendance is compulsory and 75% attendance (i.e. 6 out of 8 classes) is required.
4. Students must achieve a final grade of at least 50%.

The unit convener reserves the right to question students orally on any of their submitted work.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment will usually only be offered to students who have failed a single unit in their final semester with a final mark between 45-49% and the unit is required for course completion. Refer to the UC Supplementary Assessment Policy.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Learner engagement

Workload

In this unit there are 16 hours of labs, 12 hours of lectures, and 12 hours of workshops. Attendance and participation at all on campus classes is expected. The remainder of 110 hours that should be spent on preparing for lectures, self study and working on the various assessment tasks.

Teaching philosophy and conduct

The teaching philosophy of the unit convener and associated staff is that all work in this 2^nd year unit is not just a one-way stream of information from the staff to the students, but a collaborative discovery journey of both students and staff. To promote deep understanding the unit is designed to guide and challenge the students to reinvent "the wheel(s)" for themselves rather that provide straight recipes. It is therefore necessary and expected that the students fully commit themselves to the unit, by coming prepared to lectures, participate actively in group activities, lectures, tutorials and labs and spend abundant time on self-study. The students may expect that the staff will create a supportive intellectual environment and teach and mentor to the best of their abilities in a professional respectful manner. The staff and unit convener expect in exchange that the students will behave in an equally professional and respectful manner.

Inclusion and engagement

Inclusion and Welfare

Students who need assistance in undertaking the unit because of disability or other circumstances should inform their Unit Convener or Inclusion and Welfare as soon as possible so the necessary arrangements can be made.

Please reach out to the unit convener at any stage if you start to feel stressed or overwhelmed.

Participation requirements

Participation in laboratory/practical classes is a compulsory condition of this unit, and attendance will be recorded. You must participate in at least 75% of laboratory and tutorial/laboratory classes to pass this unit (i.e.6 out of 8 classes). In the event that you cannot attend your assigned laboratory class due to illness or unavoidable commitments, contact the Unit Convener as soon as possible to negotiate an alternate lab class later in the week (if available). 

The workshops will contain information providing context and background important for the practical sessions. Attendance at the workshops is therefore expected to ensure that students enter the laboratory well prepared. Students will need to be well organised and efficent with their time in order to gain the most from the practical sessions.

Required IT skills

Students are expected to have a basic level of IT understanding and computer literacy. Online browser navigation and the ability to use word and Excel is assumed.

In-unit costs

The online the school locker https://theschoollocker.com.au/universities/university-of-canberra/subjects/semester-one textbook is available for purchasing text book.

Work placement, internships or practicums

Not applicable

Additional information

            Students should keep a back-up copy of any assessment item that has been submitted.

Notifications through the Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class.  It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's Canvas website (Canvas forum messages are also emailed to student email addresses only).  Students should ensure they check their student email regularly.  The Canvas discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.

Use of student email account

The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes".  Therefore all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.

In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the unit Convener is informed. 

• Semester 2, 2023, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (209111)