Advanced Biochemistry
Overview
The unit aims to provide students with a depth of knowledge of a number of topics in biochemistry that will build upon the foundations established in earlier subjects. The main themes to be explored are, aspects of cell biology, and the techniques of biochemistry and molecular biology that underpin the developments of molecular sciences and biotechnology. The practical component will aim to make the students competent in several experimental and computer-based techniques of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Requisites
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Model real-world problems in the area of human health, agriculture and/or environmental sciences by applying gene and protein functionalities
- Identify and describe cellular control mechanisms in higher organisms including molecular basis of selected diseases
- Analyse genes, proteins or other biochemical compounds in a laboratory setting, including the application of computer-based tools
- Reflect on the relationship between theoretical principles and practical analyses of advanced biochemistry data, reporting on this relationship in multiple formats
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Online Lecture | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| On-campus Lab | 4.00 | 6 weeks | 24 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 1.50 | 12 weeks | 18 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 6.00 | 12 weeks | 72 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Sarawak
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Lecture | 3.00 | 12 weeks | 36 |
| On-campus Lab | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 1.50 | 12 weeks | 18 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 6.00 | 12 weeks | 72 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Practicals | Individual | 25 - 40% | 3,4 |
| Online Quiz | Individual | 5 - 15% | 1,2,4 |
| Online Tests | Individual | 30 - 40% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Online Tests | Individual | 20 - 30% | 1,2,3,4 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) Completion of a minimum of 80% of laboratory (practical) work based on the criteria for successful completion as explained in the Unit outline. Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Principles of selected technologies used for analysis of the structure, expression and roles of nucleic acids, and applications of nucleic acid technologies in different fields
- Principles of selected technologies used for analysis of protein biochemistry and functionality, and applications of protein technologies in different fields
- Signal transduction (biosignalling) mechanisms and their significance to metabolism and diseases
- Cell cycle control and its relevance to diseases
- Principles of select ‘omics’ technologies
- Selected laboratory and/or computer based exercises for purification and analyses of proteins and nucleic acids, such as DNA isolation, protein assays, spectrophotometry, chromatography, mass spectrometry, restriction mapping, cloning,
sequence analyses, bioinformatics tools, cell culture, microscopy.
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.