The integration of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, next-generation sequencing, genome editing and cell biology has had an enormous impact on plant science in recent years. This course will present current understanding in several key areas and demonstrate how conceptual and technical advances provide new insights in plant biology and new approaches for crop improvement and agriculture. Two introductory lectures will be given on plant structure and function prior to the major topics spanning the seven topics listed in the activity summary. Each topic will be presented by researchers from the Research School of Biology or CSIRO Agriculture and Food who are recognised research leaders in an area covered by their lecture topic.
BIOL3177 is an advanced course that requires a basic understanding in one, or preferably more, of the areas of molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology or plant structure and function.
Honours Pathway Option (HPO)
Entry to this option will be subject to the approval of the course conveners. Students who take this option will be required to present a report on a research paper. The report will reduce the assessment values of the seven Lecture Module Exams (i.e. assessments that replace a final end of semester exam).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and describe the problems being addressed and the advances achieved in molecular plant science.
- Understand and describe several advanced molecular techniques and how they are being used to achieve advances in molecular plant science.
- Search bibliographic databases to identify and critically evaluate papers reporting recent advances in molecular plant science.
- Understand a selection of plant-science-related molecular techniques and to present and interpret data generated by these techniques in writing.
Other Information
Examples of possible topics covered in this course include: What are the next Gen tools in plant biology? How do we image plant cell biology? How to plant cells and organelles communicate? How can microbes impact plant fitness? How do plants defend against disease, deal with stress and respond to changing seasons?
Indicative Assessment
- UG (non HPO) assessment will be based on: (null) [LO null]
- Pre-seminar outline document and tutorial (5) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Seminar: Review of a research topic (20) [LO 1,2]
- Written Lecture Module Exams (LMEs) - completion of 5 required to satisfy this assessment task with the result of up to six LME outcomes weighted at 12.5% up to a maximum summed weighting of 75% (75) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- HPO assessment will be based on: (null) [LO null]
- Pre-seminar outline document and tutorial (5) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Seminar: Review of a research topic (20) [LO 1,2]
- Journal Club Essay (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Written Lecture Module Exams (LMEs) - completion of 5 required to satisfy this assessment task with the result of up to six LME outcomes weighted at 10% up to a maximum summed weighting of 60% (60) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- For non HPO: Face-to face or online component which may consist of 3 x 1 hour lectures per week (total 36 hours); 8 x 1 hours of tutorial quiz sessions throughout the semester; plus essay preparation of approximately 30 hours in total.
- For HPOs: Face-to face or online component which may consist of 3 x 1 hour lectures per week (total 36 hours); 8 x 1 hours of tutorial sessions throughout the semester; plus essay preparation of approximately 30 hours in total and seminar preparation of approximately 26 hours in total.
- Approximately 50 hours of self directed study in total, which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
To de determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts for this course.
Preliminary Reading
These will be provided by lecturers
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3394 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | View |