Modern chemistry and biochemistry depends on the ability to make, change and analyse proteins and enzymes. In this course, students will practice all of the steps required to modify genetic information in DNA, and to produce proteins in bacterial cells (in vivo) and in a test tube (in vitro). In addition, the course will teach the fundamental biochemical principles of DNA mutagenesis, protein production and purification, and analysis of proteins by bioinformatics and various biophysical techniques.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. make mutant gene constructs;
2. express proteins in vivo;
3. purify proteins from E. coli;
4. analyse proteins with spectroscopic analysis;
5. understand protein translation in bacterial cells;
6. use bioinformatics tools for the prediction of protein properties;
7. solve numerical problems associated with each course component.

Research-Led Teaching

Chemistry is an experimental science. The laboratory program consists of a variety of experimental exercises designed to:

1.    develop competence in a range of biochemical/biophysical techniques and manipulative skills;

2.    emphasise the importance of a quantitative analytical approach;

3.    develop an awareness of the scope and limitation of experimental observation and accuracy;

illustrate biochemical topics, principles and concepts.

Examination Material or equipment

https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-conduct

Required Resources

You must wear the appropriate protective clothing (laboratory coat, safety glasses and covered, non-absorbant shoes) to participate in a practical class. Students who do not comply will not be permitted to work in the laboratory.

You need to purchase your own laboratory coat, your own safety glasses and a notebook to record data in for laboratory classes. Writing data on bits of paper is not good scientific practice. Laboratory coats and safety glasses can be purchased from the University Bookshop, Harry Hartog. You can also purchase a lab coat from the ANU Chemistry Society on O-Week Market Day and safety glasses are available from the vending machine on Level 1 in the Science Teaching Building.

Recommended Resources

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Summary of penalties for exceeding word limits. Some assessed items in this class may have a maximum word limit. If submissions exceed these maximum lengths then the following penalties will apply: (a) a 5% penalty if word limit exceeded by up to 5%; (b) 10% penalty if word limit exceeded by between 5% and 10%; (c) 10% penalty if word limit exceeded by >10%, and material beyond the 10% word limit will not be marked.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	1. make mutant gene constructs;2. express proteins in vivo;3. purify proteins from E. coli;4. analyse proteins with biophysical analyses;5. understand protein translation in bacterial cells;6. use bioinformatics tools for the prediction of protein properties;7. solve numerical problems associated with each course component.	assessment tasks 1-6

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value
final exam	50 %
group based learning (GBL) assessment	20 %
wet lab write-ups	5 %
primer design; home work 2x	10 %
DNA design for cell-free synthesis; home work	5 %
MD simulation; home work 2x	10 %

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation in this course requires as a minimum:

• attendance and positive contribution to all tutorials and labs
• PBL presentation on Friday 14 July.
• a passing grade in both the examination and practical/tute assignment components

Along with the minimum requirements, it is expected that students will:

• attend each lecture
• prepare for each lab/tutorial and have risk assessments completed before the begin of practicals
• discuss course material with tutors/lecturers in the allocated times before the practicals

To take full advantage of this course you will also find it helpful to:

• read the additional readings before each lecture
• find and read other material by/about key researchers/authors/issues

Examination(s)

by final exam.

Assessment Task 1

final exam

Two-hour exam held in week 1 of semester 2.

The mid-semester exam will assess lecture material, tutorials, practicals and material from group based learning.

The date range is a general indication of when the exam will be held. Please check the course Wattle site and lecture material to confirm the date, time and location of the final exam.

Assessment Task 2

group based learning (GBL) assessment

Group work throughout the course with presentations of results at the end of the course.

Assessment Task 3

wet lab write-ups

Short (one page) write up of results for each full laboratory day.

Assessment Task 4

primer design; home work 2x

Each tutorial is assessed by specific questions.

Assessment Task 5

DNA design for cell-free synthesis; home work

The tutorial is assessed by specific questions.

Assessment Task 6

MD simulation; home work 2x

Each tutorial is assessed by specific questions.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Marked laboratory reports will be available via Wattle one week after submission.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

You may be asked to resubmit an assignment if the standard of a lab report is deemed unsatisfactory by the course convenor (on advice from the laboratory demonstrator).

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students