Grade 85+: So, I did this subject in semester 1, 2022. The subject has been one of the most useful subjects I have ever done, and probably my number 1 favourite subject during my bachelor (biomed micro major). I had done other subjects prior to this one with a genetics background and I can say that even principles of genetics was not as good an overview as this subject was. Almost every lecture was explained clearly and the lecturer's were passionate about the content. The subject had some of the coolest, neat little bits of knowledge that are hard to find anywhere else. I liked the coordinators lectures the best, they were very interesting and engaging. It took me ages to get through the weekly module (cause of how I take notes), usually 2 to 4 hours, sometimes less but still. Some of the weakly assessments that are small percentages (I think they might have been about 3%) were quite easy, some more difficult. I found it challenging and engaging to try and take notes in the online seminars, while keeping up. I did it in the same semester as techniques in microbiology, and this subject was better at explaining all the microbiology techniques. This was to the point where I actually started linking my digital notes together to Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics. Depending on what major assessment you do (which if I remember correctly was about 22%?) it is very easy to be thrown into the deep end, but I mean it is intended to be a research assignment. I was very happy to get a good grade on my report and I found that the marking was much less stringent about formatting (which I thought wasn't explained properly when I did techniques for example and cost me a bunch of marks). In any case, the major assessment is designed to be a research project. Some people who did RNA tech thought it wasn't too amazing because it was directly relatable to the content being introduced at the time. I chose the tardigrade assessment and it was amazing, interesting and difficult. The techniques that I barely managed to grasp understanding of in my report ended up being taught later in the semester very clearly. I remember spending ages thinking that I'd done the wrong thing or what I was going to write about. The exam had tonnes of time. If I remember correctly it worked out to be about 3 minutes a mark which was insanely forgiving in comparison to micro and biomed subjects that are usually 1.30 minutes a mark. I have found that quite often, lecturers in other subjects from non-genetics departments aren't as adept or comfortable/experienced at explaining genetics and bioinformatics concepts however this wasn't the case for the lecturer's in Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics. A semester after doing this subject I still find myself going back to the notes I made during it, and integrating them into other subjects and areas.

Grade: 87. Easily the worst BCMB subject in the dept. Disorganised and dry. Content was all over the place and most of the time you're left wondering what the point is, especially the RNA modules, they were the worst. The last couple modules on cancer genetics are good and enjoyable, but can't really make up for the other 80% of the subject. There is less content than with the other BCMB subjects but thats not necessarily a good thing. Content was too broad and superficial for the most part. Took up to 10 weeks to get grades back. The exam was relatively easy for the most part, but some of the questions were way too broad and hard to answer within the time allocated, which was another issue that I think likely was due to the content being too superficial. Wouldn't recommend. If you're majoring in genetics you might enjoy it more than me, it just really wasn't my cup of tea. Could be done a lot better.

Subject was a bit on the dry side, particularly the bioinformatics part. However, it was evident that Stuart tried to make his bioinformatics lectures as interesting as possible, and he explained everything very clearly. The transition to online learning was handled very well too, and with all lectures/modules nicely organised. Nonetheless, it could be better if the topics of the lectures were organised to have more 'flow', as some of the content seem to jump around a bit. That saying, learning about cancer genomics was very interesting, and definitely a highlight of the subject. Overall, a good subject, but I wouldn't say it's less challenging than the other 3rd year BCMB subjects - the online exam we had (I felt) was one of the hardest BCMB exam I've taken, so prepare well for it (particularly if you're taking this subject in Sem 1 2021)!

A less challenging biochemistry subject for the most part. Interesting content towards the end of the course.