Current Topics In Developmental Genetics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours.

Students must have at least 25 points of the following second-year university-level genetics subjects, or equivalent (coordinator approval required)

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject will provide an in-depth coverage of cellular and developmental genetics with respect to recent advances and insights. This subject will extend basic knowledge in these areas gained during a student’s undergraduate degree and will consist of blocks of lectures, literature review and analysis where published papers are analysed and discussed and of student oral presentations. The subject provides students with skills and knowledge for understanding original research and enhanced written and oral communication skills. The course will be offered on alternating years.

Objectives of this subject are for students to:

• understand the way in which experiments in genetics are designed, communicated and interpreted;
• extend their abilities in oral and written scientific communication; and
• gain the ability to read and assimilate specific research papers and to understand how the research reported relates to the broad field of genetics.

The subject involves lectures and lecture/discussions on research papers in one or more areas of genetics.

One 20 minute oral presentation due before week 4 (40%). A group presentation (either a 15 minute presentation or a 1000 word report) due before week 10 (30%). One written essay/report (2000 words total) due during the assessment period (30%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

This subject will provide students with the opportunity to develop the following generic skills:

• the ability to evaluate scientific literature;

• the ability to use conceptual models to assess experimental data;

• the capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written and oral presentations;

• the capacity for high level written report presentation skills

• the capacity for oral communication and presentation skills

• time management and self-management skills