AGR2BAA
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR AGRICULTURE AND ANIMAL SCIENCES
AGR2BAA
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
What do herbicides, tequila, biofuel, cow stomachs and hibernating bears have in common? Biochemistry! The rapidly changing climate, population growth and the increase in microbial diseases have led to a technological revolution focused at dealing with these food security and environmental challenges. This subject will explore the biochemical underpinnings of animal and plant production and health and will cover selected topics from the broad field of agriculture and animal science. This includes the photobiological basis for photosynthesis, plant nitrogen fixation, bioactive molecules acting as competitive inhibitors of metabolism, animal energy metabolism and regulation, and metabolic adaptations in animals and plants. This subject will be delivered via a combination of on-line modules and face-to-face workshop sessions. The weekly 3-hour workshops are compulsory and involve in-class assessment
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorTravis Beddoe
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites One of (CHE1CHF or CHE1GEN) and (BIO1OF or BIO1MGC)
Co-requisites AGR2AN, or admission into the Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences/ Bachelor of International Development or Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences/Bachelor of Business.
Incompatible subjects BCH2BMA, BCH2IBM, BCH2BMB, BCH2MBC
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Explain how solar energy is converted to chemical energy which is then used for carbohydrate production in plants and research and explain how the process of photosynthesis is affected by environmental conditions
- Activities:
- Students go through on-line resources (readings, videos) and activities and complete quizzes before attending the workshop sessions. Concepts will be reinforced in workshops through mini-case studies, group discussions and exercises.
02. Explain how nitrogen fixation and amino acid biosynthesis in plants function and research and discuss how carbon and nitrogen metabolism are affected by environmental conditions and agricultural practice.
- Activities:
- Students go through on-line resources (readings, videos) and activities and complete quizzes before attending the workshop sessions. Concepts will be reinforced in workshops through mini-case studies, group discussions and exercises, as well as via the written metabolism assignments
03. Explain the metabolic pathways involved in energy production in animals as well as their regulation in order to achieve homeostasis.
- Activities:
- Students go through on-line resources (readings, videos) and activities and complete quizzes before attending the workshop sessions. Concepts will be reinforced in workshops through mini-case studies, group discussions and exercises, as well as via the written metabolism assignments.
04. Investigate and explain the biochemical principles underlying metabolic adaptations in animals and animal production traits.
- Activities:
- Students go through on-line resources (readings, videos) and activities and complete quizzes before attending the workshop sessions. Concepts will be reinforced in workshops through mini-case studies, group discussions and exercises, as well as via the written metabolism assignments
05. Investigate and explain how biochemical knowledge of animal and plant metabolism and recent biotechnological advances can help us face food security and environmental challenges
- Activities:
- Students go through on-line resources (readings, videos) and activities and complete quizzes before attending the workshop sessions. Concepts will be reinforced in workshops through mini-case studies, group discussions and exercises, as well as via the written metabolism assignments
06. Research, analyse and evaluate scientific information and communicate this in a clear and professional way in written form.
- Activities:
- Detailed guidelines and assessment criteria will be available to the students and information on how to access and evaluate scientific information will be discussed during the workshops
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorTravis Beddoe
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.5 hours unscheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via online.
"On-line activities equivalent to 3.5 hours per week"
WorkShopWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Compulsory Workshop"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metabolism assignments (700-words equivalent) | Poster presentation | 20 | 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 |
| Online and in-class assignments (1,800-word equivalent total) | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| 2 hour exam at the end of semester (2,000-words equivalent) | During central examination period | 50 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |