School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Human Genetics
  • Unit Code

    SCH1133
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Jemma Ann BERRY

Description

This unit provides students with information about genetic issues they could encounter during their lives. It begins with classical genetics - cell division, transmission of traits, cytogenetics and developmental genetics. Emphasis then shifts to DNA structure, gene expression, and recombinant DNA technology before the genetic nature of cancer is introduced. The unit concludes with an analysis of the social, legal and ethical issues arising from genetic testing and screening, genetic counselling, reproductive technology, gene therapy, genetic treatment and the role of biotechnology in society.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Communicate the issues embedded in genetic screening and genetic counselling.
  2. Compare human genetic variation with the concept of human races.
  3. Describe the DNA structure, organisation, replication and expression at transcription and translation levels.
  4. Discuss the genetic basis of some types of human cancer.
  5. Explain the mechanisms that drive sex determination and embryonic patterning in the developing fetus.
  6. Identify the origin of genetic variation.
  7. Link genetic and environmental factors to the development of phenotypic traits.
  8. Resolve factors that cause modification of Mendelian ratios.
  9. Understand the major procedures employed in recombinant DNA technology and their medical applications.
  10. Use the chromosome theory of inheritance to explain Mendelian ratios.

Unit Content

  1. Cells, chromosomes, Mendelian inheritance and pedigree analysis.
  2. Genetic variation in human populations and the concept of race.
  3. The Human Genome Diversity Panel: Worldwide Human Relationships.
  4. Karyotypes: normal, abnormal and those of students voluntarily derived from venous blood.
  5. Human developmental genetics, sex determination and embryonic patterning.
  6. DNA structure and replication, transcription, translation and genetic code, protein structure and function.
  7. Recombinant DNA technology.
  8. Genes and cancer.
  9. Assisted reproductive technology, genetic counselling and genetic treatment.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and laboratory classes. Total contact time is 4 hours per week. In laboratory sessions, students work as a class or in teams to conduct experiments and develop appropriate laboratory skills.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestMid semester test: multiple choice questions30%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory workbook and safety test30%
ExaminationTheory examination40%

Core Reading(s)

  • Cummings, M. R. (2014). edited by Dr Jemma Berry This is a customised version of Cummings, M.R. Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (11th ed.). Human heredity : Principles & issues (2014th ed.). Belmont, California: Brooks/Cole.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH1133|1|1

School: Medical and Health Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Human Genetics
  • Unit Code

    SCH1133
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    1
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Jemma Ann BERRY

Description

This unit provides students with information about genetic issues they could encounter during their lives. It begins with classical genetics - cell division, transmission of traits, cytogenetics and developmental genetics. Emphasis then shifts to DNA structure, gene expression, and recombinant DNA technology before the genetic nature of cancer is introduced. The unit concludes with an analysis of the social, legal and ethical issues arising from genetic testing and screening, genetic counselling, reproductive technology, gene therapy, genetic treatment and the role of biotechnology in society.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Communicate the issues embedded in genetic screening and genetic counselling.
  2. Compare human genetic variation with the concept of human races.
  3. Describe the DNA structure, organisation, replication and expression at transcription and translation levels.
  4. Discuss the genetic basis of some types of human cancer.
  5. Explain the mechanisms that drive sex determination and embryonic patterning in the developing fetus.
  6. Identify the origin of genetic variation.
  7. Link genetic and environmental factors to the development of phenotypic traits.
  8. Resolve factors that cause modification of Mendelian ratios.
  9. Understand the major procedures employed in recombinant DNA technology and their medical applications.
  10. Use the chromosome theory of inheritance to explain Mendelian ratios.

Unit Content

  1. Cells, chromosomes, Mendelian inheritance and pedigree analysis.
  2. Genetic variation in human populations and the concept of race.
  3. The Human Genome Diversity Panel: Worldwide Human Relationships.
  4. Karyotypes: normal, abnormal and those of students voluntarily derived from venous blood.
  5. Human developmental genetics, sex determination and embryonic patterning.
  6. DNA structure and replication, transcription, translation and genetic code, protein structure and function.
  7. Recombinant DNA technology.
  8. Genes and cancer.
  9. Assisted reproductive technology, genetic counselling and genetic treatment.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures and laboratory classes. Total contact time is 4 hours per week. In laboratory sessions, students work as a class or in teams to conduct experiments and develop appropriate laboratory skills.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities and/or online activities including discussion boards is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestMid semester test: multiple choice questions30%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory workbook and safety test30%
ExaminationTheory examination40%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCH1133|1|2