Course Title: Clinical Biochemistry 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Clinical Biochemistry 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL1179

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009

BIOL1181

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

BIOL1181

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020,
Sem 2 2021,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Dr Stanley Chan

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7353

Course Coordinator Email: stanley.chan@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.02.021A


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed Knowledge


Course Description

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 2 is a major component of the second year of the Laboratory Medicine (BP147), Biomedical Sciences (BP231) and Pharmaceutical Sciences (BP311) programs. This course is designed to broaden the student's theoretical and practical knowledge in the fields of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Clinical Biochemistry and Metabolomics, the latter which is an emerging multidisciplinary science, combining aspects of biology, analytical chemistry, experimental design and data interpretation. The theory you will learn throughout this course will be intertwined and applied into a series of intensive laboratory practicals (face-to-face ) throughout 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 employable 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 of Biomedical Science (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

  • 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.

 

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 biotechnology and 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, including developing a testable hypothesis; Selecting and applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation; Collecting, accurately recording, interpreting and drawing conclusions from scientific data.


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

  1. Explain and apply the fundamental principles of biochemistry and molecular biology concepts with a focus on DNA Technologies, Hormones and Biosignalling, Metabolism, Metabolomics and Clinical Biochemistry.
  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 lectures (screen-casts); laboratory-based practical classes (face-to-face ) and lectorial 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 lectorials; interactive on-line quizzes and solving practical-based scenarios, will scaffold students interpretative and understanding of biochemical concepts and manipulation of biochemical data. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1:  Applied Theory Assessment
Weighting: 10%
This assessment task supports CLO 1

Assessment Task 2: In-Semester Theory and Practical Assessment (Online)
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 Theory and Practical Exam (Invigilated Face-to-Face)
Weighting: 50%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3