Course Title: Diagnostic Bioanalytics
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Diagnostic Bioanalytics
Credit Points: 12.00
Course Coordinator: A/Prof Cindy O'Malley
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7590
Course Coordinator Email: Cindy.omalley@rmit.edu.au
Course Coordinator Location: 201.09.014e
Course Coordinator Availability: Please make an appointment by email
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
Required Prior Study (Pre-requisites):
BIOL1177 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1 (Course ID 009061)
Assumed Knowledge:
ONPS2093 Molecular Genetics and Diagnostics (Course ID 033091)
Course Description
Bioanalytics have revolutionised the way we diagnose and treat common and rare conditions. It enables the development of molecular signatures used to facilitate personalised treatments. These tests can be conducted with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Diagnostic Bioanalytics will allow you to develop comprehensive knowledge in bioinformatics and big data analysis that are applied in medical diagnostics. The course will focus on key next generation sequencing data analysis platforms used by industry to curate, interpret and report high-throughput diagnostic information. The syllabus is covered in a program of lectures, interactive tutorial workshops and computer-based activities designed to promote problem-based learning of biodata curation that will become one of the key roles of a medical laboratory scientist in the 21st Century.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP147 Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Laboratory Medicine):
- Knowledge capability (PLO 1)
- Technical capability (PLO 2)
- Communication skills (PLO 4)
- Research capability (PLO 6)
On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Navigate databases to identify sequences and data on mutations associated with disease and conditions.
- Demonstrate competency in curating, analysing, interpreting and reporting next generation sequencing data according to industry standards and protocols.
- Interpret structural and functional effects of gene variants to predict molecular mechanisms underlying disease and to determine a final diagnosis.
- Use information generated from big data to design assays that may benefit the screening of diseases.
- Investigate and communicate the applications of bioinformatics to areas of laboratory medicine including the development of diagnostic/prognostic tools, family planning, monitoring minimal residual disease and/or genetic counselling.
Overview of Learning Activities
The teacher-directed learning opportunities in this course will provide you with comprehensive coverage of fundamental principles of Diagnostic Bioanalytics and workflow of bioinformatics platforms relevant to industry practices. They will include input from diagnostic medical scientists, appropriate laboratories and some researchers. Online activities and Interactive tutorial workshops are designed to guide you through case studies using bioinformatics tools to curate, analyse, interpret and report big data. Considerable self-directed study will be required.
Overview of Learning Resources
You will be encouraged to read widely and to research the various topics using libraries and relevant web sites. In addition, lecture material, online resources and relevant journal articles will be provided on RMIT's online Learning Management System (LMS). You will be required to access genomic databases and specialised bioinformatics software for the analysis and interpretation of big data.
Overview of Assessment
This course has no hurdle requirements.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: In-semester test
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 2, 3 & 5
Assessment Task 2: Assay development/refinement and critique
Weighting 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4
Assessment Task 3: Case-study based bioinformatics assignments
Weighting 50%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5