Course Title: Biological Chemistry

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Biological Chemistry

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2260

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2016

BIOL2260

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

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: A/Prof. Rajesh Ramanathan

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2887

Course Coordinator Email: rajesh.ramanathan@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 3.2.15 (City campus)

Course Coordinator Availability: Monday Friday 0900-1700 by appointment please email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course assumes the prior knowledge and understanding of cells and their functions at first year university level, as obtained in BIOL 2146 (Cell Structure & Function) or an equivalent course, or evidence of equivalent capabilities.


Course Description

This course will provide you with an in-depth knowledge and practical skills on the structural and functional components of cells, tissues and organisms (at undergraduate year level 2). It provides a study of the chemical processes taking place in organisms and the technical skills needed to investigate these processes. It introduces key concepts of biological chemistry and relates them to cell physiology, with an emphasis on structure-function relationships.

 

The course aims to develop your knowledge of different aspects of biochemistry through lectures, and the application of skills and knowledge is demonstrated in practical sessions, which help develop the employability skills required in biochemical analysis in a range of industries.


The course also develops skills related to the critical assessment of scientific data and the presentation of scientific results used in all disciplines within the sciences.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following BH090MEHDD, BP226P7, BH087SCBDD and BP229BISC Program Learning Outcomes:

  • PLO-2 Scientific knowledge
  • PLO-3 Inquiry and Problem Solving 
  • PLO-4 Communication


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

  1. State the key chemical components in different organisms, their key functions, locations and understand how they are synthesised and degraded; recall the key metabolic pathways, the enzymes involved and how they are regulated; apply knowledge to explain how enzymes are integral to the functioning of organic systems 
  2. Prepare biological samples for chemical analyses and enzyme assays 
  3. Apply common biochemical techniques including centrifugation, chromatography, biochemical assays for analysing different biological samples and discuss experimental results using tables, plots, and interpret them using knowledge acquired through lectures, tutorials and private study 
  4. Adhere to protocols and procedures, take appropriate precautions to ensure laboratory processes are followed with regard to environmental, occupational health and safety, and ethical standards and regulations 
  5. Work independently and in teams in the laboratory and in tutorial-based exercises through practical classes and observations  


Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities in this course include: 

  • Lectures will either be face-to-face or online where syllabus material will be presented and explained, and the subject will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples. Students will have opportunities to ask questions and contribute to lecture discussions.  
  • Completion of quizzes and pre-labs questions are designed to give students practice in the application of theory as it applies to solving biochemical problems. Students will be given feedback on their progress and actively identifying knowledge gaps which will be addressed during subsequent lectures/practicals.   
  • Students will be provided with knowledge on scientific writing, data generation and interpretation (conceptual and numerical problems) to generate high quality reports relevant to biochemical industries during prac sessions. The prac sessions will be taught either on campus or virtually online. 
  • Students are expected to complete independent study, working through the course materials and prescribed reading to build the knowledge required to satisfy the requirements of the course 


Overview of Learning Resources

You will be provided with lists of relevant texts, library resources (including appropriate journals) and freely accessible internet sites. Other material will be provided in class.

You will be able to access course information and learning material through CANVAS.


Overview of Assessment

The course has the following assessments: 

 

Assessment Task 1: Formative quizzes  

Weighting: 15%  

This assessment supports CLOs 1. 

 

Assessment Task 2: Pre-Lab Assessments  

Weighting: 10% 

This assessment supports CLOs 2-5. 

 

Assessment Task 3: Practical Reports  

Weighting: 40% 

This assessment supports CLOs 1-5. 

 

Assessment Task 4: Analysis of course concepts  

Weighting: 35%  

This assessment supports CLOs 1