UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

BMS2042 Human genetics

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

BMS2042 Human genetics is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2022 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It needs BMS1062 and unlocks 8 units, leading on to 10 units in all.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2022
Semester 2
Clayton
Assessment
Exam 45%
and 3 other tasks

This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.

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Requisites

Enrolment rules

Corequisite: Must be enrolled in one of the following:

  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science (including double degree programs)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholar Program)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science Advanced with Honours

Equivalent units

The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.

Overview

This unit introduces the basic genetic principles underlying modern human genetics.
Topics include: the central role of genes in the inheritance of traits, and the complex variation in inheritance patterns that arise due to interactions of genes with each other and the environment; the identification, characterisation, and mapping of human genes; the value of model organisms in genetics; chromosome variation and its role in both evolution and human disease; how genes function and how genetic malfunction can lead to genetic disease; how an understanding of such diseases at the genetic level may assist in diagnosis, prevention and therapy; the genetic control of development; genetic counselling and calculating risk for genetic diseases; human evolutionary genetics.

Offerings in 2022

Teaching periodCampusMode
Second semesterClaytonOn campus

Assessment

  • Weekly practicals
    30%
  • Short answer practical test
    15%
  • Independent project
    10%
  • Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Threshold hurdle
    45%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Explain the central role of genes in the inheritance of traits and the complex variation in inheritance patterns that arise due to interactions of genes with each other and the environment;

  2. 2

    Explain how genetic variation is generated by mutation and the importance of this in phenotypic variation, evolution and disease;

  3. 3

    Describe the value of model organisms in studying human gene function in development and disease;

  4. 4

    Demonstrate understanding of the relevance and value of genetics to human society;

  5. 5

    Demonstrate skills in independent problem-solving and experimental design, and in data collection, analysis and interpretation;

  6. 6

    Demonstrate skills in written and oral communication through written reports and oral presentations of research findings by small groups.

Workload and teaching

  • Lectures24 hours
  • Laboratories21 hours

The workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours spread across the semester (roughly 12 hours per week) - approximately an even mixture of attendance at scheduled activities and self-scheduled study time. Learning activities comprise a mixture of instructor directed, peer directed and self-directed learning, which includes face-to-face and online engagement.

Learning resources

Required resources

See Moodle for details about required resources.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Hendrika Duivenvoorden
Mr Callum Vidor
Chief Examiners
Dr Richard Burke

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for BMS2042?

You need BMS1062 before you enrol. Enrolment rules also apply.

What can I take after BMS2042?

BMS2042 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 8 units, including BCH3042, BMS3031, BMS3052, GEN3030, GEN3040 and GEN3051. Those lead on to 10 units in all.

When is BMS2042 offered?

In 2022, BMS2042 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.

Does BMS2042 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 45% of the final mark, alongside 3 other tasks.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational unit
School of Biomedical Sciences
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Available