Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This is an introductory unit in molecular osteology, the interdisciplinary collaboration between physical anthropology and molecular biology to facilitate forensic identification of unknown remains. The unit provides students with basic knowledge, and practical experience, in the following concepts and principles: (1) bone diagenesis—considerations for molecular sampling; (2) fundamentals of proper preparation of bone material prior to molecular sampling; (3) DNA extraction and analysis—sex determination and general ancestry; (4) species and personnel identification using mtDNA and STR profiles; (5) guidelines for analysis—minimisation of contamination, authentication and reproduction; (6) laser ablation ICP-MS and spectral fingerprinting; (7) isotopes and their application in determining geographic origin and diet; and (8) commingling of bones—reassignment using bone isotope composition.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain bone diagensis and how it affects the ability to acquire forensic data.; (2) demonstrate competence in sampling procedures, including decontamination; (3) identify the latest available methods for molecular analysis of bone material and critically evaluate their forensic efficacy; (4) define laser ablation and other chemical approaches for the analysis of biological samples; (5) explain the analytical procedures involved in the reassignment of commingled remains based on molecular and bone chemistry approaches; and (6) demonstrate an awareness of the latest developments in molecular osteology in relation to forensic practice.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) practical work; (2) research essay
; and (3) examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Silvana Gaudieri and Professor Daniel Franklin
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- enrolment inthe Graduate Certificate in Forensic Anthropology (72280) Graduate Diploma in Forensic Anthropology (72380)
or Master of Forensic Anthropology (72580)
- Contact hours
- lectures: 8 x 1.5 hours
tutorials: 8 x 1.5 hours
lab work: approximately 2 hours per week
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.