GNE3702/101/3/2025

Tutorial Letter 101/3/2025

Advanced Genetics
GNE3702

Semester 1 and 2

Department of Life and Consumer Sciences

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please register on myUnisa, activate your myLife e-mail account and
make sure that you have regular access to the myUnisa module
website, GNE3702-2025-S1/S2, as well as your group website.

Note: This is a fully online module. It is, therefore, only available only on myUnisa.

BARCODE
 CONTENTS

Page

1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 4
2 MODULE OVERVIEW .................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Outcomes ....................................................................................................................................... 5
3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION ............................................................................................ 6
4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................... 7
4.1 Lecturer(s) ...................................................................................................................................... 7
4.2 Department ..................................................................................................................................... 7
4.3 University ........................................................................................................................................ 7
5 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................. 7
5.1 Prescribed book(s).......................................................................................................................... 7
5.2 Recommended book(s) .................................................................................................................. 8
5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves) ................................................................................................... 8
6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................................................................................. 9
6.1 The Unisa First-Year Experience Programme ................................................................................ 9
6.2 Using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to apply for module credit within a qualification ........ 11
7 STUDY PLAN ............................................................................................................................... 12
8 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE ........................................................................................................... 13
8.1 What does it mean to study fully online? ...................................................................................... 13
9 ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................. 13
9.1 Assessment criteria ...................................................................................................................... 13
9.2 Assessment plan .......................................................................................................................... 13
9.3 Assessment/assignment due dates .............................................................................................. 13
9.4 Submission of assessments/assignments .................................................................................... 13
9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions .......................................................................................... 14
9.5 The assessments/assignments .................................................................................................... 15
9.6 The examination ........................................................................................................................... 15
9.6.1 Invigilation/proctoring .................................................................................................................... 16
10 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY .......................................................................................................... 17
10.1 Plagiarism ..................................................................................................................................... 17
10.2 Cheating ....................................................................................................................................... 17
11 STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ................................................................................... 18

2
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

12 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 18

13 IN CLOSING ................................................................................................................................. 20
14 ADDENDUM ................................................................................................................................. 20

3
1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student

Welcome to the module, Advanced Genetics (GNE3702). This module is coordinated by the
Department of Life and Consumer Sciences. We look forward to providing guidance on this
subject matter for semester 1 or 2. All the lessons will be available on the module website.
Participating in online activities is essential for your success, and we encourage regular
contributions in discussing the course material to aid in your understanding. There will be
assessments included with the online activities that contribute to your year mark.

Unisa is a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) higher education institution. The
comprehensiveness of our curricula encapsulates a range of offerings, from strictly vocational
to strictly academic certificates, diplomas and degrees. Unisa's "openness" and its distance
e-learning character result in many students registering at Unisa who may not have had an
opportunity to enrol in higher education. Our CODeL character implies that our programmes
are carefully planned and structured to ensure success for students ranging from the
under-prepared but with potential to the sufficiently prepared.

For this module, teaching and learning will be fully online, this means that all your study material
is available online on the myUnisa website, either using a computer or through the apps,
available on the app store. For the best experience, it is best to use a large screen device. As
a courtesy for first-year students, Unisa will send you the printed tutorial letter, although this
will be available online should you need to check it.

Teaching and learning in a CODeL context involve multiple modes of delivery ranging from
blended learning to fully online. As a default position, all postgraduate programmes are offered
fully online with no printed study materials, while undergraduate programmes are offered in a
blended mode of delivery where printed study materials are augmented with online teaching
and learning via the learner management system – myUnisa. In some instances,
undergraduate programmes are offered fully online as well.

Furthermore, our programmes are aligned with the vision, mission and values of the University
– Unisa's commitment to serve humanity and shape futures combined with a clear appreciation
of our location on the African continent meaning Unisa's graduates have distinctive graduate
qualities, which include:

• being independent, resilient, responsible and caring citizens who can fulfil and serve
in multiple roles in their immediate and future local, national and global communities
• having a critical understanding of their location on the African continent with its
histories, challenges and potential in relation to globally diverse contexts
• having the ability to critically analyse and evaluate the credibility and usefulness of
information and data from multiple sources in a globalised world with its
ever-increasing information and data flows and competing worldviews
• knowing how to apply their discipline-specific knowledges competently, ethically and
creatively to solve real-life problems
• having an awareness of their own learning and developmental needs and future
potential

4
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

You are encouraged to log in to the module site GNE3702-2025-S1/S2 on myUnisa regularly (that
is, at least twice per week). This is a fully online module; you will need to use myUnisa to study
and complete the learning activities for this module.

We wish you every success with your studies!

2 MODULE OVERVIEW

2.1 Purpose

In this Advanced Genetics course, we focus on eukaryotic gene expression and regulation, which
becomes even more dynamic when we look at the transposable elements and viruses involved
in our genome. In addition, we explore the biology of cancer, its associated gene expression
pathways and the factors that lead to its proliferation. We complete this course by looking into
studying gene function. An understanding of all these concepts has great potential for improving
the quality of life for mankind.

2.2 Outcomes

For this module, you will have to master several specific outcomes which are assessed through
the numbered list of assessment criteria: Discuss gene regulations in terms of their transcription
from RNA to protein

1. The role of functional genomics in biotechnology is assessed in terms of its

applications.
2. The role of gene regulation is discussed in terms of how it applies to eukaryotic and
prokaryotic.
3. The influence of chromatin modifications on gene expression is explained.
4. The transcription initiation process is described including the mechanisms that
control transcription factors.
5. The role played by post transcriptional in gene regulations is discussed focusing on
the RNA processing to protein modification.
6. The mechanisms in which RNA silencing controls gene expression are explained.

Explain how genomics and environmental alterations is associated with cancer formation

1. The role of cell cycle regulation is discussed in terms of how it is associated with
cancer formation.
2. Genes associated with cancer development in humans are identified.
3. The influence of genomic instability, defective DNA repair and chromatin
modification in the formation of cancer cells is described.
4. The role of mutations in the development of cancer is discussed.
5. The contribution of viruses to cancer in humans and animals is discussed.
6. The contribution of environmental agents to human cancer formation is described.
7. Recent approaches and applications to identify cancer cells are discussed including
associated genes.

Discuss the role of transposons, immunogenetics and viruses in the genome of eukaryotic

5
 1. Different types of transposons are discussed explaining their function in the
genome.
2. The movement of transposons within and between genomes is explained
elaborating on how this can lead to mutation.
3. The process of how transposons can change the pattern of gene expression is
illustrated using a diagram.
4. The alteration of genes and chromosomes caused by transposons is described
detailing how this can contribute to the variability that underlies evolution.
5. The impact of retroviral on genome rearrangement is discussed.
6. The transfer of genes between cellular and viral genomes is discussed.

Explain different genomic analysis methods and their applications in eukaryote studies

1. The use of recombinant DNA technology to isolate, replicate and analyse the DNA
including DNA libraries sequence collection is discussed.
2. The importance of polymerase chain reaction application is discussed including an
explanation of how this method has accelerated the pace of genetic research.
3. Application of DNA sequencing as the vital way to characterise DNA structure at
molecular level is discussed, describing how this application can be used in gene
targeting analysis.
4. The use of global analysis of gene expression such as transcriptome analysis to
reveal gene expression profiles in cells and tissues is discussed.
5. DNA and gene expression microarray techniques are discussed in terms of their
use in genetic testing and identifying a specific gene in order to understand their
expression pattern in human diseases.

Discuss genetic models that are used for dissection of gene function

1. The mechanism of forward and reverse genetics analysis model is identified.

2. The relationship between genotypes and phenotypes is described.
3. The creation of knockout mutation and transgenic animals is discussed in terms of
how it is used to study gene function in an in-vivo setup environment.
4. Methods of screening mutants and gene cloning are described.
5. The dissection of gene function using RNAi is described.

3 CURRICULUM TRANSFORMATION
Unisa has implemented a transformation charter that places curriculum transformation high on
the teaching and learning agenda. Curriculum transformation includes student-centred
scholarship, the pedagogical renewal of teaching and assessment practices, the scholarship of
teaching and learning, and the infusion of African epistemologies and philosophies. All of these
are being phased in at both programme and module levels. As a result of this, you will notice a
marked change in the teaching and learning strategy implemented by Unisa, together with the
way in which the content is conceptualised in your modules. We encourage you to embrace these
changes during your studies at Unisa, responsively and within the framework of transformation.

6
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

4 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS

4.1 Lecturer(s)

Primary lecturer
Dr. Rae Smith
Department: Life and Consumer Sciences
Telephone: 011 670 9663
Location: 02-002B, Second floor, Calabash Building (B Block), Florida Campus
E-mail: [email protected]

Secondary lecturer

Dr. Sinebongo Mdyogolo

Department: Life and Consumer Sciences
E-mail: [email protected]

4.2 Department

You can contact the Department of Life and Consumer Sciences as follows:
Administrative Officer: Ms. Thandi Mpontshane
Telephone: 011 471 2292
E-mail: [email protected]
4.3 University

University of South Africa

Preller Street, Muckleneuk
P.O. BOX 392, Pretoria, 0003

Contact addresses of the various administrative departments appear on the Unisa website:
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Contact-us/Student-enquiries.

Please include your student number in all correspondence.

5 RESOURCES
5.1 Prescribed book(s)

Use the following prescribed textbooks in conjunction with the online material:
• Klug W.S. 2019. Concepts of Genetics. 12th edition. Pearson Education Inc.
• Strachan, T. 2019. Human Molecular Genetics. 5th edition. Garland Publishing.
Please note that other editions may be used. Just make sure you locate the relevant chapter
material in that edition. Any changes or updates will be posted on the myModules platform.
You should treat your textbook like the lecturer's additional comments and notes during

7
a lecture. The learning units summarise the contents and give an overview of the
subject matter to be covered. The textbook elaborates on those summaries.
5.2 Recommended book(s)

Recommended material can be used as additional reading and can be requested online, via the
library catalogue.

5.3 Electronic reserves (e-reserves)

There are no e-reserves for this module. Announcements will be posted on myUnisa as and
where required.

5.4 Library services and resources

The Unisa library offers a range of information services and resources and has made
numerous library guides available at http://libguides.unisa.ac.za.

Recommended guides:

• For brief information on the library, go to https://www.unisa.ac.za/library/libatglance

• For more detailed library information, go to
http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library
• For Frequently Asked Questions, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Frequently-Asked-Questions
• For research support and services such as the Personal Librarian service and the
Information Search Librarian's Literature Search Request (on your research topic)
service, go to http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-
services/Research-support
• For library training for undergraduate students, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Training
• For Lending Services, go
to https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Library-services/Lending-
services
• For services for postgraduate students, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-Postgraduates
• For support and services for students with disabilities, go to
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Library/Services-for-students-with-
special-needs
• For Library Technology Support, go to https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/techsupport
• For information on finding and using library resources and tools, go to
http://libguides.unisa.ac.za/Research_skills
• For an A–Z list of library databases, go to https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/az.php

Important contact information:

• Technical problems encountered in accessing library online services:
[email protected]
• General library-related queries: [email protected]
• Queries related to library fines and payments: [email protected]
• Interlibrary loan service for postgraduate students: [email protected]
• Literature Search Service: [email protected]
• Social media channels: Facebook: UnisaLibrary and X (formerly known as Twitter):
@UnisaLibrary

8
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

6 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

The Study @ Unisa brochure is available on myUnisa at www.unisa.ac.za/brochures/studies.

This brochure contains important information and guidelines for successful studies through Unisa.

If you need assistance concerning the myModules system, you are welcome to use the following
contact details:

• Toll-free landline: 0800 00 1870 (Select option 07 for myModules.)

• E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

You can access and view short videos on topics such as how to view your calendar, how to
access module content, how to view announcements for modules, how to submit assessments
and how to participate in forum activities by visiting
https://dtls-qa.unisa.ac.za/course/view.php?id=32130.

Registered Unisa students receive a free myLife e-mail account. Important information, notices
and updates are sent exclusively to this account.

Please claim your e-mail account immediately after registering at Unisa by following this
link: https://www.unisa.ac.za/static/myunisa/Content/Announcements/Documents/Claim-
myUnisa-myLife-Nov-2017.pdf

Note that it can take up to 24 hours for your account to be activated after you have claimed it.

Your myLife account is the only e-mail account recognised by Unisa for official correspondence
between you and the University and it will remain your official primary e-mail address on record
at Unisa.

You remain responsible for the management of this e-mail account.

6.1 The Unisa First-Year Experience Programme

This is a third-year module, so please treat this section as a refresher.

Many students find the transition from school education to tertiary education stressful and this is
often true for students enrolling at Unisa for the first time. Unisa is a dedicated open distance and
e-learning institution and is very different from face-to-face or contact institutions. It is a mega
university, and all its programmes are offered through either blended learning or fully online
learning. For these reasons, we offer first-time students additional or extended support to help

9
them navigate the Unisa teaching and learning journey seamlessly and with little difficulty and few
barriers.

Unisa’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme has been specially designed to provide you with
prompt and helpful information about the services that the institution offers.

10
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

The following FYE services are currently available:

FYE website E-mail Support

www.unisa.ac.za/FYE [email protected]

FYE1500
Post-
myUnisa; Study
registration Referrals to Skills; Academic
Orientation other support and Digital
services Literacies; etc.
such as,
Counselling;
Reading & Writing
workshops

To ensure that you do not miss out on important academic and support communication from the
SRU, please check your myLife inbox regularly.

6.2 Using Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to apply for module credit within a
qualification
Now that you are a registered student, you are advised to familiarise yourself with the learning outcomes
of the module or modules you have chosen. If you have been exposed to those learning outcomes for
three years or more – either through work experience or other involvement – you can apply to be exempted
from completing assignments and writing examinations. As part of your application for this exemption, you
will be required to compile a portfolio of evidence substantiating how your experience is equivalent to the
learning outcomes. The diagram below shows the steps involved in obtaining recognition of prior learning
(RPL) for module credit. For more information on the process, RPL fees and the contact details of your
college RPL coordinator, visit the Unisa website at www.unisa.ac.za/rpl.

11
 7 STUDY PLAN
The following is a recommended time schedule which can be used as a guideline for studying this
module:

Activity Hours

Reading the tutorial letter completely 2

Reading and re-reading the study guide and 10

online resources

Reading the relevant chapters in the 28

prescribed textbooks

Completing study guide activities and 10

participating in the discussion forum

Studying for and completing the assignments 20

Studying for the examination 40

Final revision 10

Total 120

12
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

As a student you may need to set out more time or less time, depending on your needs.

8 HOW TO STUDY ONLINE

8.1 What does it mean to study fully online?

You will be receiving lessons from the lecture during your registered semester. These lessons
will help you understand the questions on your assignments, most importantly, essay-type
questions. It will also teach you how to prepare and answer your examination questions.

9 ASSESSMENT
9.1 Assessment criteria

Students work will be assessed based on their performance in relation to the information
given at the beginning of each learning unit of the study material.
9.2 Assessment plan

• To complete this module, you will be required to submit TWO (2) assignments.
• All information on when and where to submit your assignments will be made available to
you via the myUnisa site for your module.
• Due dates for assignments, as well as the actual assignments are available on the
myUnisa site for this module.
• To gain admission to the examination, you will be required to submit Assignment 01.
• Your assignments will comprise a combination of multiple-choice questions and essay-
type questions.
• The assignment weighting for the module is 30%.
• The examination will be a take-home online examination.
• The examination will count 70% towards the final module mark.

9.3 Assessment/assignment due dates

• There are no assignment due dates included in this tutorial letter.

• Assignment due dates will be made available to you on the myUnisa landing page for this
module. We envisage that the due dates will be available to you upon registration.

• Please start working on your assessments as soon as you register for the module.

• Log on to the myUnisa site for this module to obtain more information on the due dates for
the submission of the assessments.

9.4 Submission of assessments/assignments

• Unisa, as a comprehensive open distance e-learning institution (CODeL), is moving

towards becoming an online institution. You will see, therefore, that all your study material,
assessments and engagements with your lecturer and fellow students will take place
online. To facilitate this, we use myUnisa as our virtual campus.

13
 • The myUnisa virtual campus offers students access to the myModules site, where
learning material is available online and where assessments should be completed.
Together, myUnisa and myModules form an online system that is used to administer,
document and deliver educational material to students and support engagement between
those students and Unisa’s academics.

• The myUnisa platform can be accessed via https://my.unisa.ac.za. Click on the myModules
2025 button to access the online sites for the modules that you are registered for.

• The University undertakes to communicate clearly and as frequently as is necessary to

ensure that you obtain the greatest benefit from your use of the myModules learning
management system. Please access the Announcements tool on your myModules site
regularly, as this is where your lecturer will post important information to be shared with
you.

• When you access your myModules site for the module(s) you are registered for, you will
see a welcome message posted by your lecturer. Below the welcome message you will
see the assessment shells for the assessments that you need to complete. Some
assessments may be multiple choice, some may be tests and others may be written
assessments/assignments, while some may be forum discussions and so on. All
assessments must be completed on the assessment shells available on the respective
module platforms.

• To complete quiz assessments, please log on to the module site where you need to
complete the assessment. Click on the relevant assessment shell (Assessment 1,
Assessment 2, etc.). There will be a date recorded there telling you when the assessment
will open for you. When the assessment is open, access the quiz online and complete it
within the time available to you. Quiz assessment questions are not included in this tutorial
letter (Tutorial Letter 101) and are made available online only. You must therefore access
and complete the quiz online where it has been created.

• It is not advisable to use a cellphone to complete quizzes and you should please use a
desktop computer, tablet or laptop for this task. Students who use cellphones find it difficult
to navigate the Online Assessment tool on the small screen and often struggle to navigate
between questions and successfully complete the quizzes. In addition, cellphones are
more vulnerable to dropped internet connections than other devices. If at all possible,
please do not use a cellphone for this assessment type.

• For written assessments/assignments, please note the due date by which your work must
be submitted. Ensure that you follow the guidelines given by your lecturer to complete the
assessment/assignment. Click on the submission button on the relevant assessment shell
on myModules. You will then be able to upload your written assessment to the myModules
site for the modules that you are registered for. Before you finalise the upload,
double-check that you have selected the correct file for uploading. Remember, no marks
can be allocated for incorrectly submitted assessments/assignments.

9.4.1 Types of assignments and descriptions

All assignments are defined as either optional, mandatory, compulsory, or elective.

14
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

• Elective assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
- The best of the required submissions will count.
• Mandatory assignments
- If not submitted, the student gets no mark for this item.
• Optional assignments – You are encouraged, as a student, to do optional
assignments in order to benefit your learning.

I. Elective assignments
a. The student is given a choice of which assignments within an identified group to submit
and only the best result(s), the number of which is specified in advance, will contribute
towards the year mark.
b. Elective assignments must be grouped into an elective group.
c. For the student to select which assignment to submit, the elective assignments must
be grouped together. For such an elective group, relevant information (such as how
many of the assignments must be submitted and how many of the assignment marks
should be combined into the year mark) will be supplied to you.
d. The selection criteria define how marks received for assignments in an elective group
are to be combined into the year mark. Three different criteria may be used for
calculating the year mark:
• The best mark should be used, or
• if the student submits fewer than the required number of assignments per
group, or no assignment in a group, a mark of 0% will be used.
• A total of 0% is awarded to all non-submitted or unmarked assessments. A
best mark is then calculated from all the qualifying items submitted.

II. Mandatory assessments/assignments

a. Mandatory assessments/assignments contribute to the year mark.
b. If a student fails to submit a mandatory assignment, no mark is awarded and the year
mark is calculated accordingly. The student will therefore forfeit the marks attached to
such an assignment when the final mark for the module is calculated.

III. Optional assessments assignments – You are encouraged, as a student, to do

optional assessments/assignments in order to benefit your learning.

9.5 The assessments/assignments

As indicated in section 9.2, you need to complete TWO (2) assignments for this module.

Assignments are numbered consecutively per module, starting from 01.

(There are no assignments included in this tutorial letter. Assignments and due dates will be
made available to you on myModules for this module. We envisage that the due dates will be
available to you upon registration.)

9.6 The examination

Examination information and details on the format of the examination will be made available to
you online via the myUnisa site. Look out for information that will be shared with you by your
lecturer and e-tutors (where relevant), as well as for communication from the University.

15
Note: Students tend to fail at understanding what is expected when answering questions, the
below serves as a guide for answering the examination and assignment questions.
How to answer examination questions:

• Make sure that you have a good calculator whenever you go into any scientific
examination.

• The emphasis is on how to interpret and answer examination questions correctly every
time.

• Make sure that you understand the meaning of the following words that are commonly
used in examination situations:
i. Describe means in your own words write the exact order in which the process
occurs; that is, you must tell the story in a logical order, in one or more paragraphs.
ii. Explain means in your own words write what you understand about the topic you
have been asked. Look at the total marks allocated to the question. If a question
carries 1 to 5 marks, limit your answer to one paragraph. From 5 to 10 marks, limit
your answer to two paragraphs. From 10 to 20 marks, structure your answer in one
to two pages.
iii. Define means write the exact meaning of the term you have been asked about.
iv. Name or list means write the answer in a point form.
v. Discuss means define the principle and then describe or explain the subject.
Note that it is a combination of (iii), (ii) and/or (i) above. Your answer has to be
structured in several paragraphs to cover the whole subject.
vi. Distinguish means identify the two different things you have been given, by using
the same measurement; for example, two people on the basis of their dress, height
or weight.
vii. Contrast or compare means use as many attributes or qualities as possible
(depending on the mark allocation) to tell the difference or similarity between two
things that you have been asked about; for example, contrast between a cat and a
dog.
viii. How/what/when/which means how, what, when or which about the subject you
have been asked about.
ix. Illustrate means explain by means of both words and diagram/sketch/drawing.

9.6.1 Invigilation/proctoring

Since 2020, Unisa has conducted all its assessments online. Given the stringent requirements
imposed by professional bodies, as well as increased solicitation of Unisa’s students by third
parties to unlawfully assist them with the completion of assignments and examinations, the
University is obliged to assure the integrity of its assessment integrity by using various proctoring
tools: Turnitin, Moodle Proctoring, The Invigilator app and IRIS. These tools authenticate the
student’s identity and flag suspicious behaviour to assure the credibility of their responses during

16
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

assessments. The descriptions below are for your benefit as you may encounter any or all of
these in your registered modules:

Turnitin is plagiarism software that facilitates checks for originality in students’ submissions
against internal and external sources. Turnitin assists in identifying academic fraud and
ghostwriting. Students are expected to submit typed responses when using the Turnitin software.

The Moodle Proctoring tool is facial recognition software that authenticates students’ identities
during their quiz assessments. This tool requires access to a student’s mobile or laptop camera.
Students must ensure that their cameras are activated in their browser settings prior to starting
their assessments.

The Invigilator is a mobile application-based service that verifies the identity of an assessment
participant. The Invigilator app detects student dishonesty-by-proxy and ensures that the
assessment participant is the student registered for the module concerned. This invigilation tool
requires students to download the app from the Google Play Store (Android devices), the Huawei
AppGallery (Huawei devices) or the Apple App Store (Apple devices) on their camera-enabled
mobile devices prior to their assessment.

The IRIS Invigilation software verifies the identity of a student during assessment and provides
for both manual and automated facial verification. It can record and review a student’s
assessment session and it flags suspicious behaviour by the student for review by an academic
administrator. The IRIS software requires installation on students’ webcam-enabled laptop
devices.

Students who are identified and flagged for suspicious or dishonest behaviour arising from the
invigilation and proctoring reports will be referred to the disciplinary office for formal proceedings.

Please note:

Students must refer to their module assessment information on their myModules site to determine
which proctoring or invigilation tool will be used for their formative and summative assessments.

10 ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
10.1 Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of taking the words, ideas and thoughts of others and presenting them as
your own. It is a form of theft. Plagiarism includes the following forms of academic dishonesty:

• Copying and pasting from any source without acknowledging that source
• Not including references or deliberately inserting incorrect bibliographic information
• Paraphrasing without acknowledging the source of the information
10.2 Cheating
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Using AI large language models (ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Bing Assistant) to
generate the answers to questions (unless explicitly permitted by the lecturer)

17
 • Completing assessments on behalf of another student, copying the work of another
student during an assessment, or allowing another student to copy your work
• Using social media (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram) or other platforms to disseminate
assessment information
• Submitting corrupt or irrelevant files (This matter is addressed in the examination
guidelines.)
• Buying completed answers from so-called “tutors” or internet sites (contract cheating)
For more information about plagiarism, follow the link below:
https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-values-and-rules

11 STUDENTS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES

The Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) provides an
opportunity for staff to interact with first-time and returning students with disabilities.

If you are a student with a disability and would like additional support, or if you need additional
time for assignments/assessments, you are invited to contact Dr. Rae Smith at
[email protected] to discuss the assistance that you need.

12 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question 1: What is plagiarism?

Answer: Plagiarism is the act of taking words, ideas and thoughts of others and passing them off
as your own. It is a form of theft which involves a number of dishonest academic activities. The
Disciplinary Code for Students (2004) is given to all students at registration. Kindly read the
University’s policy on copyright infringement and plagiarism as well.

Question 2: Where can I find information that can support the answers I give for my
assignments?

Answer: Scientific literature databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect and HighWire to name a
few. When searching these databases, you will come across two main types of journal articles,
review papers and articles which present research data. Authors of review papers have read and
summarised current research on a topic and written a paper it normally does not contain a
methods section. Authors that present their finding will have a methods or experimental
procedures section. Other sections that journal articles will have include abstract, introduction,
results, discussion and sometimes a conclusion, and references.

Question 2: How do I use information I read from the internet or books or any other source
without committing plagiarism?

Answer: Firstly, as a general rule DO NOT COPY SECTIONS OR EVEN SENTENCES WORD
FOR WORD. You should always read the information then formulate that same information in
your own words and then cite the reference where you obtained that information. You need to

18
 GNE3702/101/3/2025

acknowledge the owner or author; this is done by citing the publication in the text directly after
stating the information obtained from that text and then correctly listing the reference to that text
at the end of the document in the reference section. There are many styles of referencing, for
instance journal- or discipline-specific formats, such as within the discipline of science.
Publications such as scientific journals all have specific styles for references and citations that
have to be complied with when submitting a paper for consideration (see the Biochemistry Journal
for an example of a referencing guide at http://pubs.acs.org/page/bichaw/submission/reference-
guidelines.html. Journals are very strict about referencing and will return manuscripts to authors
and not publish them if referencing is not done according to the style and format given in their
guidelines). I suggest that for assignments you refer to the Harvard referencing techniques guide
available at https://ilrb.cf.ac.uk/citingreferences/tutorial/index.html. This guide indicates how to
cite references in the text as well as the style required for listing references at the end of the
document in the reference section. Examples from the link include the following:

Citation (in text): If you include the author's last name in your sentence, write the date in
brackets immediately after:

It has been argued by Harris (2001) that the main considerations are...

Alternatively, write both the author's last name and the date of publication in brackets:

It has been argued (Harris 2001) that the main considerations are...

Referencing (end of document in the reference section):

Books

For a reference list entry for a book, you need to include the following information:

Author (if there is more than one, include all authors’ names). Year. Book title. Place:
Publisher.

Example:

Potts, D. 2002. Project planning and analysis for development. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne
Rienner Publishers.

Journal article

For a reference list entry for a journal article with authors, you will need to record the following
information:

Authors. Year. Article title. Journal title, volume (issue), pages.

Example:

Waterson, M, Potts, D and Dirr, R. 2003. The role of consumers in competition and
competition policy. International Journal of Industrial Organization 21(2): 129-50.

Question 3: Can the due date for the submission of assignments be extended?

19
Answer: Yes, you can be given extensions for your assignments, but this will only be granted on
if you have a valid reason for late submissions. Extensions can be requested by contacting your
lecturer by phone or in writing.
Question 4: When are contact classes for this module offered?
Answer: There are no contact classes for this module, but if the need arises you will be informed
of the times, dates and venues when contact classes will be conducted.
Question 5: How can I find out if my assignment was received at Unisa after submission?
Answer: After your submission, you should see the status of your submission change on myUnisa
assignment submission page. You are also welcome to send a message to [email protected].

13 IN CLOSING
As you read your study guide, there will be activities that you should use to assess yourself to
determine if you have understood the notes. Please make sure that you read through the content
of this module carefully and try to answer the questions and complete the assignments as directly
as possible. We wish you well on your quest to expand your knowledge. Please participate in the
discussions found on the discussion forum. You are also welcome to post discussions on topics
that relate to the content of the modules with which you are not familiar.

Best of luck for your semester!

Rae M Smith

14 ADDENDUM
There is no addendum for this module.
©
Unisa 2025

20