Course Title: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL1176

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009

BIOL1177

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

BIOL1177

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

Course Coordinator: Danielle Kibell

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: danielle.kibell@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

System Enforced Pre-requisites (Enforced by SAMS)

OR

OR

OR


Course Description

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 1 is a major component of the second year of the Laboratory Medicine (BP147), Biomedical Sciences (BP231), Pharmaceutical Sciences (BP311), Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BP293) and Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours)/Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (BH122) programs. It is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the disciplines of biochemistry and molecular biology, and its applications in the laboratory. The theory you will learn throughout the course will be applied and integrated into a series of laboratory-based practicals (face-to-face and/or on-line). You will solve practical-based scenarios and undertake a laboratory practical assessment at the end of the semester. Throughout the course you will gain an immersive laboratory experience covering biochemistry and molecular biology concepts and learn current, relevant state-of-the-art bioanalytical techniques which are routinely used in the clinical environment and in research. You will develop the required graduate attributes to either undertake professional practice or potential research endeavours.

 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for:

BP147 Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Laboratory Medicine)

  • PLO 1. Knowledge capability: Understand appropriate and relevant, theoretical concepts of scientific knowledge with the ability to use and apply the knowledge in a wide range of problem solving, challenging and interpretative situations within the professional laboratory medicine discipline.
  • PLO 2. Technical capability: Ability to apply a range of diagnostic technologies and methodologies relevant to the fields of Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Histopathology, Cytopathology or Microbiology.  These methodologies will identify pathological changes which deviate from the normal physiological range, use logical and systematic thinking to solve problems with diagnostic techniques and procedures, and apply high level analytical skills to the chosen area of clinical laboratory specialization.
  • PLO 3. Professional work practices: Contribute to academic and professional work settings through responsible, self-managed, independent work, interpersonal skills which support constructive interactions with individuals and teams, and understand the ethical and legal framework that underpins the field of diagnostic pathology.

BP311 Bachelor Pharmaceutical Sciences

  • PLO 1. Exhibiting depth and breadth of scientific knowledge: Develop a broad and coherent body of knowledge particularly in biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology and toxicology. 
  • PLO 2. Critically analyse and solve scientific problems: Adapt knowledge, concepts and skills to problem solve

BP231 Bachelor of Biomedical Science and BP293 Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)/Bachelor of Biomedical Science

  • PLO 2. Exhibit depth and breadth of scientific knowledge by: Demonstrating knowledge across disciplines contributing to biomedical science
  • PLO 3. Critically analyse and solve scientific problems by: Gathering, synthesising and critically evaluating information from a range of sources; Designing and planning an investigation; Selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation and Collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data.

BH121 Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) (Honours)/Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences

  • PLO 1. Exhibiting depth and breadth of scientific knowledge: Develop a broad and coherent body of knowledge particularly in biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology and toxicology.
  • PLO 2. Critically analyse and solve scientific problems: Adapt knowledge, concepts and skills to problem solve.


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Apply the fundamental principles of biochemistry and molecular biology concepts with a focus on analytical techniques, proteins, enzymes, DNA and RNA metabolism and gene regulation.
  2. Prepare and analyse biological material and perform a series of practical biochemical investigations.
  3. Problem solve, validate, apply and interpret results from biochemical investigations.

 


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities of the course take place in the form of online recorded lectures (screen-casts); laboratory-based practical classes (face-to-face and/or online) and tutorial sessions (practical and topic based, online). The theory and practical components of the course are integrated throughout the teaching of the course. The practical component is designed to develop a high level of competency in the performance of a wide range of laboratory techniques which will be used to solve practical-based scenarios.

Assessment activities are conducted as both formative and summative assessments. Formative as well as summative assessment occurs throughout the laboratory practicals and online classes during the course. Self-directed learning activities prior to tutorials; interactive online quizzes and solving practical-based scenarios, will scaffold students' interpretation and understanding of biochemical concepts and manipulation of biochemical data. Students will be able to access resources (eg. lecture material, recorded lectures (screencasts), and interactive learning material) through RMIT’s online Learning Management System (LMS) which is the central forum used to communicate announcements and discuss questions with academics and peers.

 


Overview of Learning Resources

Students will be able to access resources (eg. lecture material, recorded lectures (screencasts) and interactive learning material through RMIT’s online Learning Management System (LMS) which is the central forum used to communicate announcements and discuss questions with academics and peers. 


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1:  Applied Theory and Practical Assessment

Weighting 10%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 2: Mid-Semester On-line Assessment

Weighting 15%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 3:  Applied Laboratory-based Practical Assessment

Weighting 25%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 4: Final Competency Assessment

Weighting 50%

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3