Associate Degree in Biotechnology

Subject Details

Year 1

CHEM110 – Chemistry A - (78 hours)

This subject is designed to allow an individual to develop the skills and knowledge required to understand the classification, nomenclature and behavioural characteristics` of common chemical substances. It examines the historical development of the periodic classification of elements and explores systematic approaches to describing physical, chemical, thermodynamic and kinetic behaviour and properties. Emphasis will be placed on the development of safe and efficient practical skills that will underpin subsequent laboratory work at this and higher levels.

BIOL110 – Biology A - (78 hours)

This subject introduces the study of life at the cellular level. It will examine and compare the structure and function of plant, animal and bacterial cells and viruses. It emphasises metabolic pathways especially energy production and storage, growth and differentiation. The role of the nucleus in controlling cell structure and function via targeted expression of nuclear genome is discussed and the basic control of gene function and its critical importance for normal function of organisms will be examined.

BINN110 – Introduction to the biotechnology industry - (52 hours)

This subject is designed to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the biotechnology industry and the social, economic and ethical issues surrounding its growth. The development and broad applications of biotechnology are discussed both from an historical perspective and within the context of contemporary society. Students will consider the significant roles of globalisation, innovation and commercialisation in the development of contemporary biotechnology organisations and enterprises. Students will analyse the social, ethical and economic risks of new technologies against their potential benefits with reference to case studies.

DATA110 – Numerical methods - (52 hours)

This subject introduces students to measurement techniques and methods of data collection and analysis. Students will be provided with an understanding of basic metrology, collection and representation of data, accuracy and measurement of error. Basic statistical methods including populations, normal distribution, mean and variance analysis techniques, regression analysis and confidence limits will be introduced. This unit also addresses experimental design, estimation, probability, and hypothesis testing.

CHEM120 – Chemistry B - (78 hours)

This subject is designed to allow an individual to develop the skills and knowledge required to describe the bulk physical and chemical properties of substances in the solid state and solution equilibria as well as gaining an understanding of the biological significance of coordination complexes. This course will develop a thorough understanding of fundamental organic chemical concepts to underpin further studies at higher levels in biochemistry. The course will systematically develop an understanding of organic nomenclature, structures, bonding, reaction types and reactivity of alkyl, aryl and functional group compounds. The practical classes will enable students to develop confidence in safe and efficient laboratory work practices while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and precision.

BIOL120 – Biology B - (78 hours)

This subject introduces students to the structure, function, diversity and evolution of multicellular organisms. It will provide students with an understanding of the basic principles of natural selection and the effects of genetic and environmental factors on evolution and species diversity. The general principles governing the classification of plant and animal species will be presented and discussed and the relationships between habitats and species evolution and diversity will be explored.

MICR120 – Microbiology A - (78 hours)

This subject introduces students to the biology of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa) and to the experimental methods used in their study. It focuses on microorganisms that are economically significant because of their effects on human, animal or plant health or their importance in industrial bioprocesses.

DATA120 – Research methods - (52 hours)

This subject aims to extend student’s understanding of important statistical methods applicable to the biological sciences introduced in DATA110. Particular attention is focused on application to biotechnology processes. Knowledge of hypothesis testing, selection of appropriate statistical analyses, and techniques for mitigation of sources of experimental error, underpins the tutorial classes where students will develop skills and knowledge which relate to accurate observation, recording and analysis of biological processes. A variety of research methodologies will be examined and students will gain an understanding of the importance of experimental procedures and protocols. The role of statistical reporting in scientific and peer reviewed communication will also be discussed and examined. Students will be introduced to the field of bioinformatics. Pre-requisite: DATA110

Year 2

BIOC210 – Biochemistry A - (78 hours)

This subject will provide a general understanding of biomolecular structure and function of living cells and examine in detail the structure and function of the cell nucleus and the role of nucleic acids in cell replication and biosynthesis. Students will explore the bilayer structure of the cell membrane, and its role in cell communication and in maintaining the intracellular environment. The structure and function of rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum will be compared, and the function of ribosomes and the Golgi apparatus in the synthesis, packaging and secretion of proteins will be described. The relationship between the 3-dimensional structure of proteins and their functional specificity as receptors and enzymes will be discussed and the role of lysozymes in the normal function of cells will be examined. Students will develop practical skills and knowledge to analyse biochemical processes using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The role of bioinformatics in prediction of RNA secondary structure, phylogenetic relationships, gene and protein classification and prediction is developed through practical application and laboratory classes.

MGEN210 – Molecular genetics A - (78 hours)

This subject will introduce students to the molecular basis of genes, gene expression and heredity and the links between genetics and molecular biotechnology. The major topics covered will include: DNA and RNA structure, synthesis and DNA replication; Mendel, chromosomes, genes, gene assortment and patterns of inheritance; comparison of the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes, gene transfer in bacteria and viruses; gene expression, DNA transcription and translation, protein synthesis and the regulation of gene expression; proteins and protein function; chromosome mapping; vectors and host-vector systems; restriction enzymes, cloning of DNA fragments into vectors; DNA amplification, hybridisation and sequencing; gene libraries, genome projects and an examination of the methods used to collect DNA sequences and store them in computer files along with identifiers such as organism and gene nomenclature. The practical component will provide students with skills in preparing chromosome spreads, isolating and purifying DNA, use of restriction enzymes and PCR, and DNA sequencing Methods of retrieval and database querying are also examined.

MICR210 – Microbiology B - (78 hours)

This subject extends the foundation of MICR120 to detail the selection and use of particular microbes in important industrial bioprocesses such as fermentation, biosynthesis of antibiotics, recombinant proteins, sewage treatment and other biodegradation processes, and in food production. Students will, through the laboratory component of the course, develop further practical skills in the isolation, culture and manipulation of microorganisms.

BIOT210 – Bioprocessing A - (78 hours)

This subject will explore the use of electrophoretic techniques to separate and isolate proteins, nucleic acids and other important biological molecules and the application of a variety of standard laboratory techniques for identifying molecules, for synthesizing biomarkers such as oligonucleotides, for replicating nucleic acids and for isolating cells from tissues and growing cells and cell lines in culture. Students will develop further the skills and knowledge from MGEN210 and BIOC210 to program simple routines in BioPython or in the Victorian VPAC Bioplatform to analyse DNA sequences and related data. They will also utilise, develop and adapt open source resources available on the World Wide Web to support development of bioinformatics applications.

BIOC220 – Biochemistry B - (78 hours)

This subject is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of biochemical pathways and cell metabolism, and the practical skills and knowledge to analyse biochemical processes using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The subject will cover: the energy requirements of cells including carbohydrate metabolism, glucose and pentose pathways, the citric acid cycle; chloroplast structure and photosynthesis; mitochondrial structure, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation; metabolic and regulatory mechanisms in cells; signals and signal transduction; nitrogen metabolism and synthesis of amino acids; enzyme structure and function including reaction kinetics; lipids and lipid biosynthesis; hormone structure and functions. Further contextualisation of the role of bioinformatics and its application will be examined.

MGEN220 – Molecular genetics B - (78 hours)

This subject provides students with advanced knowledge and understanding of the molecular basis of genes and gene function, and the links between genetics and molecular biotechnology. The major topics covered will include: regulation and manipulation of gene expression; gene isolation and mapping; mechanisms of recombination, recombinant DNA technology and its applications; gene transfer methods and genetic engineering; chromosome and gene mutations and basis for mutagenesis; mitochondrial DNA, haplotypes and evolution; genetic basis of disease and the application of molecular biotechnology in disease diagnosis and the development of novel treatments for disease such as DNA and protein-based vaccines; production of recombinant proteins. The practical component will provide students with advanced skills in DNA amplification techniques and sequencing, DNA fragment cloning. Bioinformatics will be extended from Molecular Genetics A to develop greater understanding of methods of sequence and assessment of their significance via specialised statistical analyses (including Bayesian statistics and Hidden Markov Models).

BIOT220 – Bioprocessing B - (78 hours)

This subject introduces students to recombinant DNA technology. Major areas covered in the subject will include: DNA and RNA extraction methods; restriction enzymes and their applications; DNA and RNA amplification using polymerase chain reaction techniques (PCR); differential gene expression using PCR quality control in PCR and detection of PCR products; DNA hybridisation; design, synthesis and use of microsatellite primers and interpretation of DNA probe data; microarray technology; agarose gel and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; DNA and protein sequencing; RT-PCR; cloning and mutagenesis using PCR techniques. The themes of IP management, quality systems and QA, QC, GMP and regulatory affairs compliance are contextualised in the biotechnology industries and applied throughout the practical component of the subject.