BCH2MBC

METABOLIC BIOCHEMISTRY AND CELL BIOLOGY

BCH2MBC

2018

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Biochemistry is concerned with the function of biological systems at the molecular level. It is central to most studies in biology and life sciences and is directly related to biomedical research and biotechnology. In this subject, students are introduced to cell biology and cell metabolism, building on the concepts developed in Introduction to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCH2IBM). Students study the generation of energy in cells through the oxidation of carbohydrates and lipids; the formation of ATP, the energy currency of cells; lipids, cellular membranes and compartmentation; and the signalling processes that co-ordinate and regulate cellular activity. The practical work reinforces basic experimental skills and includes exercises on metabolism and cell biology.

SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorMegan Maher

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites One of (BIO1OF, BIO1MGC, HBS1HBA or BIO1CO) and one of (CHE1CHF, CHE1GEN or CHE1C1A) and one of (CHE1APL, CHE1C1B or DTN1CFC).

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects BCH2BMB, AGR2BAS, AGR2BAA, BCM202

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditions Students are also expected to have previously attempted (but not necessarily to have passed) BCH2IBM.

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsBCH2MBC Subject ManualRecommendedSchool of BiochemistryAVAILABLE THROUGH LA TROBE UNIVERSITY BOOKSHOP
ReadingsLehninger Principles of Biochemistry (2012, 6e)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 generation of cellular energy in the form of ATP from the oxidation of various fuels, and to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the concepts of cellular metabolism, compartmentation, cell signalling pathways and other aspects of cell biology.

Activities:
In lectures, students will be instructed in energy metabolism (glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation), lipids, membranes and compartmentation, and techniques in molecular cell 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:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

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

Activities:
In laboratory classes, students will apply and build on their basic laboratory skills to investigate aspects of cellular metabolism, and they will gain hands on experience in a range of techniques in molecular cell biology. 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:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Prepare and present a clear and coherent oral presentation on a biochemical topic to communicate to peers.

Activities:
Students will be instructed on aspects of oral presentations (including the appropriate use of visual aids) in a workshop which will address the preparation of the 10 min oral presentation for their research assignments. These oral presentations will be jointly prepared and presented by student pairs. They will be peer-assessed by the other members of the pair's prac group, following a comprehensive marking scheme.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

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:
Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour)

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:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

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

Activities:
Students will be instructed on the selection of appropriate and reliable sources of information, with particular emphasis on material sourced from the internet, during the workshop on oral presentations. The gathering and critical analysis of information derived from from multiple literature-based sources will be assessed as a component of the oral presentation given on 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 and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

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

Activities:
In lectorial sessions groups of 3 or 4 students will engage in discussions to which all members will be expected to contribute. Each student will also be encouraged to act as a spokesperson at least once during the semester. In practical sessions students will usually work in pairs but will sometimes collaborate in larger groups of 14-16. They will be instructed on aspects of team-work by demonstrators. The ability of students to work effectively as team-members will be assessed as a component of the laboratory performance mark. Students will work in pairs to jointly prepare and deliver to their peers an oral presentation on their chosen research assignment topic. They will be given instruction on various aspects of this team-based task during the workshop on oral presentations.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Ethical behaviour)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Subject options

Select to view your study options…

Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, 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 BCH2MBC is a core subject. If the quota is exceeded, students will be selected based on WAM in 1st year subjects.

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorMegan Maher

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 31 - 43
One 3.0 hours laboratory class every two weeks on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Or Type: Directed Learning Activity Or Delivery Method: On-Line (equivalent to 1.5hr per week)"

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Three 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via blended.
"One 1-hour lecture/workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face. Material equivalent to an additional two 1-hour lectures per week will be delivered on-line."

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
End of semester examination (2 hr) (2000 words equivalent)4001, 07
Lectorial quizzes (x 5) (70 words equivalent each, 350 words equivalent total)1001, 06
Mid-semester examination (45 min) (750 words equivalent)1501
Prac work: worksheet or brief prac report x6 (20%) & lab performance (5%) (900 words equiv total)2502, 03, 04, 05, 06
Research assignment (10min oral presentation, prepared & delivered in pairs) (500 words equivalent)1001, 03, 06

Singapore, 2018, Term L2, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorYeliz Boglev

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 11 - 15
One 18.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 15 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: 11 - 15
One 36.0 hours lecture per study period on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 15 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) (2000 words equivalent)4001, 07
Lectorial quizzes (x 5) (70 words equivalent each, 350 words equivalent total)1001, 06
Mid-semester examination (45 min) (750 words equivalent)1501
Prac work: worksheet or brief prac report x6 (20%) & lab performance (5%) (900 words equiv total)2502, 03, 04, 05, 06
Research assignment (10min oral presentation, prepared & delivered in pairs) (500 words equivalent)1001, 03, 06

Singapore, 2018, Term L2, Night

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorYeliz Boglev

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 11 - 15
One 18.0 hours laboratory class per study period on weekdays at night from week 11 to week 15 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: 11 - 15
One 36.0 hours lecture per study period on weekdays at night from week 11 to week 15 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) (2000 words equivalent)4001, 07
Lectorial quizzes (x 5) (70 words equivalent each, 350 words equivalent total)1001, 06
Mid-semester examination (45 min) (750 words equivalent)1501
Prac work: worksheet or brief prac report x6 (20%) & lab performance (5%) (900 words equiv total)2502, 03, 04, 05, 06
Research assignment (10min oral presentation, prepared & delivered in pairs) (500 words equivalent)1001, 03, 06