Unit rationale, description and aim

Recent advances in the discipline of genetics are increasingly being incorporated into healthcare applications and treatment/management considerations with the promise of producing significant improvements for individualised healthcare, especially within the field of precision-medicine. This unit builds upon the fundamental principles of genetics covered in previous units to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of core concepts within human genetics, such as genetic variation, mutation, and inheritance. Students then progress to more advanced concepts, including the nature and significance of gene-environment interactions and pre- and post-transcriptional RNA modification and regulation to facilitate application in both biomedical research and healthcare. Students will be exposed to practical aspects of genetics where they will familiarise themselves and apply modern analytical techniques and methodologies using hands-on and simulation-based activities. These activities will also allow students to engage with the ethical and philosophical considerations that are inherently associated with genetic-related research and genetic-based healthcare. The aim of this unit, therefore, is to provide learners with genetics-related knowledge that enables them to understand and apply recent advances in their chosen field within biomedicine. 

2026 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

BIOL123 Cells and Tissues - the Fabric of Life OR BIOL130 Cell biology and laboratory skills OR BIOL125 Human Biology 1

Incompatible

BIOL206 Human Genetics

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Describe the various concepts of genetics and geno...

Learning Outcome 01

Describe the various concepts of genetics and genomics covered by this unit.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2

Explain how current genetic-related laboratory and...

Learning Outcome 02

Explain how current genetic-related laboratory and bioinformatic methodologies are utilized for diagnostic and research applications.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7

Analyse genetic and genomic data using current lab...

Learning Outcome 03

Analyse genetic and genomic data using current laboratory and bioinformatic methodologies through simulated diagnostic and experimental scenarios.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC7, GC8, GC10

Evaluate both literature and data to develop robus...

Learning Outcome 04

Evaluate both literature and data to develop robust, well-reasoned discussions and conclusions related to selected genetic research and diagnostic questions.
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11

Content

Topics will include:

  • Nature and cause of genetic variation in humans 
  • Patterns of inheritance & genetic traits 
  • Population genetics 
  • Gene & environment interactions 
  • Pre- and post-translational RNA modification
  • Research & diagnostic techniques and methodologies 
  • Analysis and interpretation of genetics and genomics data


Assessment strategy and rationale

A range of assessment procedures will be used to ascertain students have attained the learning outcomes of the unit and developed the specified graduate attributes. 

The quizzes will assess acquisition and understanding of genetic and genomic concepts to be applied in subsequent classes, assessment tasks, and while working in a genetics-related field. 

The written assignment provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate understanding and application of genetic topics and develop high-level skills related to information literacy, critical thinking, and written communication.

The final task is an authentic scenario-based assessment allows students an opportunity to apply their procedural knowledge of genetic and genomic investigative techniques/methodologies in the evaluation of various data.  

In order to pass this unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome. The authentic scenario-based assessment is the only task to assess learning outcome 3, and therefore, students must achieve a passing mark for this assessment, as well as 50% overall for the unit in order to pass. 


Overview of assessments

Assessment Task 1 : Quizzes assess the understand...

Assessment Task 1: Quizzes assess the understanding of genetic and genomic concepts covered throughout the course.

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7

Assessment Task 2: The written task assesses bot...

Assessment Task 2: The written task assesses both understanding and application of the concepts covered within the unit and provides students an opportunity to demonstrate high-level skills related to information literacy, critical thinking, and written communication.

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11

Assessment Task 3 : The authentic scenario-based ...

Assessment Task 3: The authentic scenario-based assessment allows students an opportunity to apply their procedural knowledge of genetic and genomic investigative techniques/methodologies in the evaluation of various data. It also provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate high-level skills related to problem-solving, critical thinking, and digital literacy

Weighting

30%

Learning Outcomes LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit is designed around active learning, encouraging students to not only understand the principle of genetics and genomics, but to apply this knowledge to real-world applications. Students will be provided with multiple opportunities to participate in their learning during weekly lectures, with space provided for questions, group discussions, and class-based activities. Case studies will be used to illustrate common research problems to promote higher-order thinking.

Weekly practical classes will further support student learning by providing regular opportunities to develop laboratory-based techniques and skills that are essential for work within the field. In addition to these laboratory skills, students will learn how to use genetic databases, handle, analyse and interpret genetic and genomics data, and apply these skills in authentic scenario-based activities to solve problems based on genetic variations. Each learning activity is scaffolded to help build students' confidence throughout the unit, culminating in their final assessment task. 

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Cohn, R., Scherer, S., Hamosh, A. (2023) Thompson & Thompson Genetics and Genomics in Medicine. (9th Ed) Elsevier. 

Cummings, M. R. (2016). Human Heredity. Principles and Issues. 11th edition, Brookes/Cole. CENGAGE Learning.

Jackson, M., Marks, L., May, G. H. W., Wilson, J. B. (2018). Essays in biochemistry(2018) 62 (5). 643-723

Nussbaum, R.L. McInnes, R.R. Willard, H.F. (2016) Thompson and Thompson Genetics in Medicine. (8th Ed) Elsevier.

Tobias, E.S. Connor, J.M. and Ferguson-Smith, M.A. (2011) Essential Medical Genetics.(6th Ed.) John Wiley and Sons.

Watson, J., Baker, T., Bell, S., Gann, A., Levine, M. and Losick, R. (2014). Molecular Biology of the Gene. Pearson: New York.

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