INTRODUCTION TO BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

BCM201

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is concerned with the function of biological systems at the molecular level. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 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 gene structure and function, DNA replication, transcription and translation; molecular biology; protein structure and its relationship to protein function (with particular emphasis on enzymes) and bioenergetics. The practical applications of these themes in terms of molecular biology techniques (including DNA purification, restriction digestion, PCR, analysis of recombinant DNA and techniques in expression of proteins in heterologous hosts), spectrophotometric methods and enzyme kinetics will also be investigated. This subject lays the foundations for the study of Metabolic Biochemistry and Cell Biology in BCM202 and similar subjects.

School: Molecular Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Fiona Durand

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG

Exchange Students: No

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Must be admitted in one of the following courses: HBFN, HBFNX, HOUA and have passed DTN102 and HBS101 and [SCI18 or CHM101]

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: BCH2IBM

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: This subject is offered via Open Universities Australia. La Trobe University students can undertake this subject as part of a cross institutional enrolment under certain circumstances, and must seek approval from the Bachelor of Food and Nutrition Course Coordinator for eligibility. Due to the nature of the subject content and online delivery, enrolments are generally not permitted past the published OUA enrolment date for the study period.

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: David L Nelson & Michael M Cox

Year: 2012

Edition/Volume: 6e or 7e

Publisher: W.H. FREEMAN & COMPANY, NEW YORK

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

BCM201 Subject Learning Guide

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: College of Science, Health & Engineering

Year: N/A

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Available on-line

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. 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 that affect cellular processes in health and disease.

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

03. Prepare scientific reports that present coherent, concise and evidence-based explanations to communicate to peers, using a variety of presentation modes.

04. Compute basic mathematical calculations and prepare graphical representations of information, to aid in the interpretation of biochemical data consistent with scientific standards.

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

06. Participate as an effective team member and collaborate on selected learning exercises.

On-Line, 2020, OUA study period 2, Online

Overview

Online enrolment: No

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Fiona Durand

Class requirements

Block ModeWeek: 23 - 34
One 1.00 hour block mode per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 23 to week 34 and delivered via online.

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
2 x Mini quizzes (5% each, total 400 words equivalent)15 min time limit1 attemptauto-graded	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	10	SILO1, SILO2, SILO4
4 x Mastery Quizzes (10% each, total 1600 words equivalent)30 min time limit1 attemptauto-gradedrandomised	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO4
Group-based video presentation(per student approx. 7.5 min - equivalent to 750 words)Groups of 3 students, randomly allocated on enrolment. Total presentation length 20-25 minutes.Scenarios/topics related to Molecular Biology (Module 3)Grading based on:- scientific content of slides (1/3)- quality of presentation (1/3)- contribution of each team member determined internally within group (1/3)	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	20	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO5, SILO6
Written scientific report (1200 words)Individual exerciseBiological purpose and mechanism of action a protein-ligand interaction - topic to be self-selected from a collection of protein-ligand interactions known to be well resourced in the scientific literature	N/A	N/A	N/A	No	30	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3, SILO5

On-Line, 2020, OUA study period 4, Online