Techniques in Molecular Science (BCMB20005)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinator
Dr Amber Willems-Jones
Administrative Coordinator
Semester 2
Administrative Coordination
Overview
| Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This is a subject suitable for students taking life science and biomedical subjects. It offers an introduction to the techniques used in many areas of molecular science.
Students taking the course will develop practical skills in the laboratory and an understanding of the techniques used in biochemistry and molecular biology to investigate biological problems.
Students will develop practical and research skills by exploiting the physico-chemical properties of molecules in a variety of experimental techniques, and interpreting the data they generate.
Students will apply these skills to the:
- separation and characterisation of proteins; and
- isolation, manipulation and characterisation of nucleic acids: and
- examination of cellular structures.
Students will report on their practical work and learn to relate principles to practical outcomes.
The lectures will cover the theory of standard laboratory techniques central to biochemistry and molecular biology and new methods driving the fields of genomics and proteomics.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of the subject, the student should:
- understand the theory of many techniques used in molecular and cell biology and protein biochemistry;
- have developed the skills necessary to carry out experimental protocols in molecular biology, protein biochemistry and cell biology, and generate data for analysis;
- have developed the ability to perform biochemical calculations and analyse data (including trouble-shooting errors or inconsistencies) and make quantitative assessments of experimental results;
- understand how to collate and present data in a conventional standardised format for concise scientific reports;
- have developed the ability to work effectively in the laboratory, either in small groups or individually.
Generic skills
By completion of the subject, students should have:
- gained hands-on experience in a number of biochemical techniques;
- analysed experimental data and made quantitative assessments of their results;
- learnt to write concise and accurate scientific reports;
- gained the ability to understand and follow simple experimental protocols;
- gained experience in working with others towards common goals.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Both:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM10003 | Chemistry 1 |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| CHEM10004 | Chemistry 2 |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Or One of:
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEM10006 | Chemistry for Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| CHEM10009 | Chemistry for BioSciences | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Other combinations of subjects that provide a similar background may be considered by the coordinator.
Pre-requisites CANNOT be taken concurrently.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
For BSc students
Level 1 biology is recommended.
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
is strongly recommended. Students may take BCMB20002 and BCMB20005 concurrently or in alternate semesters.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Continuous assessment: weekly performance in practical classes (10%)
- Assessed Practical performance (Week 12) (5%)
- Weekly computer-based quizzes (10 MCQ each) (6% total)
- Written reports based on experimental data (4 reports, total of 2000 words) due thoughout semester (49%)
- 2-hour written final examination held during the examination period (30%)
Students who are absent for more than 20% of practical classes and/or tutorials in this subject might be ineligible for the final exam assessment (coordinator decision).
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Amber Willems-Jones Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 5 hours per week: 1 x lecture (online), 1 x tutorial, 1 x practical class (3 hours) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 5 February 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Amber Willems-Jones
Administrative Coordinator
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Amber Willems-Jones Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 5 hours per week: 1 x lecture (online), 1 x tutorial, 1 x practical class (3 hours) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 2 July 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Administrative Coordination
Time commitment details
60 contact hours per semester with an estimated total time commitment of 170 hours.
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 210 students per semester (50-54 students per practical class over 4 days per week) applies to this subject.
For detailed information on the quota subject application process, refer to the Quota Subject link on the School of Biomedical Sciences Current Student Information webpage: http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc and BBiomed.
- This subject is a specific prerequisite for completion of majors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pathology and the Biotechnology-Biochemistry stream.
- If a BSc student wishes to complete a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, they must complete this subject and ‘Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’ (BCMB20002)’.
- If a BBiomed student wishes to complete a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, they must also complete ‘Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine’ (BIOM20001).
- It is strongly recommended that a student wishing to complete a Biochemistry major also completes ‘Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function’ (BCMB20003).
- Students must enrol for one of the available laboratory days via the student portal before the start of the semester. Be aware that each day has limited places.
- Students undertaking this subject are required to have regular access to an internet-enabled computer.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
quota subject - application deadline as per http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
Last updated: 3 November 2022