Handbook home
Cell Signalling and Neurochemistry (BCMB30004)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Subject Coordinator
Assoc Prof Heung-Chin Cheng
Adminstrative Coordinator
Mrs Irene Koumanelis
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Aberrations in the structure and expression of hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters and their receptors can give rise to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. To understand the molecular basis of these diseases, it is essential to know how hormones, growth factors and neurotransmitters are synthesised, and how their signals are recognised, amplified and transmitted by intracellular signalling pathways in the target cells.
Topics covered include structures of hormone and neurotransmitter receptors, mechanisms of intracellular signal transduction, second messengers and protein phosphorylation-dephosphorylation; regulation of gene expression; mechanism of neuronal apoptosis and necrosis, molecular basis of neurodegenerative disease, molecular basis of cancer formation and progression and the use and design of protein kinase inhibitors as therapeutics for treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the subject:
- students should understand the molecular basis of hormone and neurotransmitter actions.
- the techniques used to investigate the mechanism of hormone action and neurotransmitter functions.
- how abnormalities in synthesis and intracellular signalling pathways contribute to disease such as cancer and Parkinson's disease.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- the ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases.
- the capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines.
- the ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
BSc students
Before 2009:
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part A (521-211)
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part B (521-212)
2009 and subsequently:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Note that the pre-2009 subject “Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part A” and the 2009 subject “Biochemistry & Molecular Biology” are not identical despite having the same subject code. Only the subject “Biochemistry & Molecular Biology” offered in 2009 and subsequently acts as a stand-alone prerequisite.
BBiomedicine students
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
Other combinations that provide similar background will be considered by the coordinator.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Students cannot enrol in and gain credit for this subject if previously obtained credit for pre-2009 subject (521-304) Hormone and Neurotransmitter Biochemistry.
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
- 3 hour written exam held in examination period (70%);
- two 1 hour written examinations held during semester (7.5% x 2 = 15%);
- An essay assessment due mid-semester (15%).
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Heung-Chin Cheng Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours three x 1 hour lecture, and one x 1 hour tutorial per week. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 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
Subject Coordinator
Assoc Prof Heung-Chin Cheng
Adminstrative Coordinator
Mrs Irene Koumanelis
Time commitment details
48 contact hours with an estimated total time commitment of 170 hours.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notes
Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 BSc), BASc or a combined BSc course will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.
Students undertaking this subject will be expected to regularly access an Internet-enabled computer.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Animal Cell Biology Informal specialisation Animal Cell Biology Informal specialisation Reproduction and Development Informal specialisation Microbiology Informal specialisation Microbiology Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Neuroscience Major Neuroscience Informal specialisation Reproduction and Development Major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022