This module encompasses the fundamental aspects of biology to support the biological aspects contained in later levels of your degree. The basics of the diversity of life including DNA as the central dogma of molecular biology as the unifying mechanism in all life. Students will learn the fundamentals of inheritance starting with the structure, replication and organisation of DNA within the genome. How information flow is regulated and translated into a form useable by a cell will be addressed and the section will culminate with consideration of the vertical transmission of genetic material (reference to Mendelian principles) and introduction to population genetics. Included within this area will be embedded MCQs to allow deeper understanding of basic genetic principles. This module also provides students with theory and knowledge that are involved in molecular, classical, human and microbial genetics, the structure, function, regulation of genes and genomes. Students also learn fundamentals of applied genetics including an introduction to clinical genetics and the identification of genetic mutations and polymorphisms and their influence on disease processes.

Summative assessments:
1) Two exams worth 40% each. The assessments will be composed of multiple choice questions (MCQs) and short answer questions (SAQs), assessing MLO 1.
2) Poster: this assessment task contributes to the development of MLOs 2 &3.
You will be assessed on ability to:
a) source relevant published information
b) prepare an electronic poster of the publication that clearly identifies the main ideas and content (assessed early to provide feedback)
c) write clear and well-argued descriptions of the topic
d) prepare and present a poster according to the guidelines
e) give a 5-minute oral presentation of the research topic displayed on the poster


Additional Assessment Details:
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via submission of formative tasks associated with the practice MCQ provided during lectures, a peer assessment and online tests allowing self assessment.

A series of interactive lectures over semesters 1 & 2, where you will learn the basic concepts of cell biology and genetics. The lectures will clarify complex descriptions and terminology of complicated topics. You will be required to use your time outside of the classroom to review and understand the week’s lecture content with materials provided on the virtual learning environment (VLE), Blackboard. There are two hours of lectures each week. The in-class session will be a comprehensive explanation of the topic material, with an opportunity for you to solve embedded MCQs in real-time, on your own or in groups. The lecturer will then explain how we arrived at the correct answer and why the other choices were incorrect. The lectures are designed around the MCQs, which makes the session also a mini tutorial.

Further research workshops will be structured to allow students pick a poster topic and learn how to search the literature to find the article they will present. Students will learn how to identify the important information from the article and use this to create an electronic poster of the article. They will also be provided with an instruction sheet and detailed marking rubric of the assignment to ensure you understand the outcomes required.
In the second Research Workshop students are expected to come to class with a draft copy of their electronic poster and have this peer-reviewed by fellow students. They will then be asked to self-reflect on this feedback by writing a one-paragraph under the given feedback, describing how the feedback can improve the work. Online resources will be added to Blackboard to assist in students’ knowledge of scientific articles and how to create a scientific poster. They will give an oral presentation based on the scientific poster that they were guided to complete in the workshops towards the end of semester 2.

Independent interaction with the VLE engaging with the theory and preparation of formative and summative assessments.

Demonstrate understanding by coherent utilisation of relevant scientific principles, examples to answer specific questions relating to the transmission, translation and inheritance of genetic information and the organisation and regulation of the human body.

1) Knowledge and Understanding

2) Learning

Manipulate information from a variety of sources, analyse and interpret results and communicate your findings effectively using it hardware and software.

4) Analysis

7) Application

Demonstrate a sense of awareness and a degree of responsibility for your own learning by organisation of tasks and reflection.

3) Enquiry

8) Reflection

N/A

Langford, A., 2010. Practical Skills In Forensic Science. Harlow, England: Prentice Hall.
Reece, J. and Campbell, N., 2011. Campbell Biology. Boston: Benjamin Cummings / Pearson.

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This module incorporates the fundamental aspects of biology to support the biological aspects contained in later levels of your degree. The basics of the diversity of life will be covered, including DNA as the central dogma of molecular biology and the unifying mechanism in all life. Students will learn the fundamentals of inheritance starting with the structure, replication and organisation of DNA within the genome. How information flow is regulated and translated into a form useable by a cell will be addressed and the module will culminate with consideration of the vertical transmission of genetic material (reference to Mendelian principles) and introduction to population genetics.