BCH2IBM

INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

BCH2IBM

2017

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are concerned with the function of biological systems at the molecular level. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are central to most studies in biology and life sciences and directly related to biomedical research and biotechnology. In this subject, students are introduced to gene structure and function, DNA replication, transcription and translation; techniques in molecular biology; bioenergetics; and protein structure and function. The practical work includes hands-on experience in molecular biology techniques (including PCR, analysis of recombinant DNA and techniques in expression of proteins in heterologous hosts), spectrophotometric methods and enzyme kinetics. This subject lays the foundation for the study of Metabolic Biochemistry and Cell Biology (BCH2MBC).

SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorSteve Jones

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites One of (BIO1OF or BIO1MGC or HBS1HBA) and one of (CHE1BAS or CHE1CHF or CHE1GEN or CHE1C1A) and one of (CHE1APL or CHE1C1B or DTN1FFU or DTN1CFC).

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects BCH2BMA, BCH21BMA, BCH21PEM, AGR2BAS, AGR2BAA, BCM201

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsBCH2IBM ManualRecommendedFSTEAVAILABLE THROUGH LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BOOKSHOP
ReadingsLehninger Principles of Biochemistry (2012, 6th edition)RecommendedDavid L Nelson & Michael M CoxW.H. FREEMAN & COMPANY, NEW YORK

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. After successfully completing this subject, students will be able to: Use the basic vocabulary of biochemistry and molecular biology to describe the structures and functions of biological macromolecules, in order to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the concepts underlying structure-function relationships in cell function, health and disease.

Activities:
In lectures, students will be instructed in molecular interactions, information transfer and the synthesis and structure/function relationships of nucleic acids and proteins, the implications of thermodynamics and energetics on biological systems, and techniques in molecular biology. These concepts will be reinforced by small-group discussions in lectorial (large-scale tutorial) sessions. The students' understanding of these concepts will be assessed by short-answer and/or multiple-choice questions in lectorial quizzes, and by short-answer questions in formal examinations.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)

02. Apply biochemical and molecular biology techniques, principles and methodologies in addressing research problems.

Activities:
In laboratory classes, students will be instructed in basic laboratory skills (micropipetting, spectrophotometry, data analysis and critique) and will gain hands-on experience in a range of protein-chemistry and molecular biology techniques. The students' ability to carry out these techniques will be assessed on the basis of the quality of their experimental results, and this will contribute to their 'laboratory performance' mark. The students' understanding of the underlying principles will be assessed through prac reports and/or by their responses to questions posed in weekly worksheets.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)
Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)

03. Write scientific reports that present coherent evidence-based explanations to communicate to peers.

Activities:
Students will be instructed on aspects of scientific writing in a workshop which will address their prac-report writing and the preparation of their written report on the research assignment. Scientific wrtiting will be assessed in prac reports/worksheets and in the research assignment.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Writing(Writing)

04. Employ laboratory practice to acceptable standards in terms of safety, professional conduct and keeping accurate records of experimental data.

Activities:
Students will complete an induction exercise (not formally assessed)where they are introduced to various aspects of biochemical laboratory practice: appropriate behaviour, safe handling of equipment and reagents, principles of risk assessment, appropriate record keeping. These factors will be assessed during all subsequent prac sessions as a component of the laboratory performance mark.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)

05. Compute basic mathematical calculations and prepare graphic representations to aid in the interpretation of biochemical data consistent with scientific standards.

Activities:
Calculations and graphical analyses will be commonly performed as part of laboratory practicals, and instruction will be provided during pre-prac talks, in the laboratory manual and/or by demonstrators during prac sessions. Calculations and graphic representations will be assessed as an integral component of practical report/worksheet marking.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

06. Demonstrate independent learning and research skills by locating, interrogating and evaluating relevant scientific information.

Activities:
Students will be instructed on the importance of accessing multiple sources of information (wherever possible), and on selecting appropriate and reliable sources of information, during the workshop on scientific writing. The gathering and critical analysis of information derived from from multiple literature-based sources will be assessed as a component of the research assignment. The prac course will include an experimental design component which will be assessed partly on the basis of inclusion of appropriate controls in student-designed experiments and the use of relevant information sources.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

07. Participate as an effective team member in a laboratory environment and collaborate effectively on research projects.

Activities:
In lectorial sessions, small groups of 3 or 4 students will engage in discussions, to which all members of the group will be expected to contribute. Each student will also be encouraged to volunteer as a spokesperson (to convey the outcome of the group's discussion to the rest of the class) at least once during the semester. In practical sessions, students will usually work in pairs but will sometimes collaborate in larger groups of 12-14. They will be instructed on aspects of team-work (eg. fair sharing of workload, delegation of tasks, respect for the opinions and consideration for the well-being of others) by demonstrators. The ability of students to work effectively as team-members in pracs will be assessed as a component of the laboratory performance mark.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

Subject options

Select to view your study options…

Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment size350

Enrolment information Quota due to limited access to laboratory space. Merit based quota. Priority is given to students for whom BCH2IBM is a core subject. If the quota is exceeded, students will be selected based on WAM in first year subjects.

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSteve Jones

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours laboratory class every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Three 1-hour Lectures/Tutorials per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face or online"

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
End of semester examination (2 hr)4001
Lectorial quizzes (x 5)1001, 06
Mid-semester examination (45 min)1501
Practical work: worksheet or brief prac report x 6 (20%) and laboratory performance mark (5%)2502, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Research assignment (750-word written exercise)1001, 03, 06

Singapore, 2017, Term L4, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSteve Jones

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 28 - 32
One 18.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 28 to week 32 and delivered via face-to-face.
"18-hours of Practical or Directed Learning Activities during the teaching period and delivered via face-to-face or online."

LectureWeek: 28 - 32
One 36.0 hours lecture per study period on weekdays during the day from week 28 to week 32 and delivered via face-to-face.
"36-hours of Blended Lectures and Online Learning Activities in the teaching period delivered as a combination of face-to-face and online."

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
End of semester examination (2 hr)4001
Lectorial quizzes (x 5)1001, 06
Mid-semester examination (45 min)1501
Practical work: worksheet or brief prac report x 6 (20%) and laboratory performance mark (5%)2502, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Research assignment (750-word written exercise)1001, 03, 06

Singapore, 2017, Term L5, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSteve Jones

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 37 - 41
One 18.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 37 to week 41 and delivered via face-to-face.
"18-hours of Practical or Directed Learning Activities during the teaching period and delivered via face-to-face or online."

LectureWeek: 37 - 41
One 36.0 hours lecture per study period on weekdays during the day from week 37 to week 41 and delivered via face-to-face.
"36-hours of Blended Lectures and Online Learning Activities in the teaching period delivered as a combination of face-to-face and online."

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
End of semester examination (2 hr)4001
Lectorial quizzes (x 5)1001, 06
Mid-semester examination (45 min)1501
Practical work: worksheet or brief prac report x 6 (20%) and laboratory performance mark (5%)2502, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Research assignment (750-word written exercise)1001, 03, 06

Singapore, 2017, Term L4, Night

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorSteve Jones

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 28 - 32
One 18.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays at night from week 28 to week 32 and delivered via face-to-face.
"18-hours of Practical or Directed Learning Activities during the teaching period and delivered via face-to-face or online."

LectureWeek: 28 - 32
One 36.0 hours lecture per study period on weekdays at night from week 28 to week 32 and delivered via face-to-face.
"36-hours of Blended Lectures and Online Learning Activities in the teaching period delivered as a combination of face-to-face and online."

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
End of semester examination (2 hr)4001
Lectorial quizzes (x 5)1001, 06
Mid-semester examination (45 min)1501
Practical work: worksheet or brief prac report x 6 (20%) and laboratory performance mark (5%)2502, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07
Research assignment (750-word written exercise)1001, 03, 06