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Protein Structure and Function (BCMB30001)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Subject Coordinator
Associate Professor Isabelle Rouiller
isabelle.rouiller@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative Coordination
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will describe the wide range of structures, functions and interactions of proteins and their importance in biological processes, biomedicine and biotechnology. Emphasis will be on the three-dimensional structure of proteins and their interactions with peptides, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and other physiologically important molecules. We will describe experimental and computational techniques and how they help in determining and predicting protein structure and function and aid in the development of new drugs. The subject matter addresses the general properties of protein structure; the major classes and topologies of proteins; evolution of sequence, structure and function; protein synthesis, folding, misfolding, targeting and trafficking; bioinformatics analysis of protein sequence and structure; binding of small molecules to proteins and drug design; protein-protein interactions; effects of mutations on tertiary structure, protein stability and biological functions; enzyme reaction kinetics and mechanisms. This subject is required for completion of a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of the subject the student should be able to:
- Describe the molecular basis of the evolution of protein sequence and structure.
- Explain the theory behind and practical considerations of experimental techniques used to study protein structure and function.
- Devise experiments to analyse protein structure and function using the techniques studied.
- Perform computational analysis of protein sequence and structure using bioinformatics and molecular graphics tools.
- Critically analyse of the current scientific literature on protein structure and function.
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
One of:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
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 (521-301) Protein Structure, Design and Engineering.
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Mid Semester Test 1
| Week 5 | 10% |
Written assignment (1,000 words and prepared figures)
| Week 9 | 20% |
Written exam
| During the examination period | 55% |
Computer-based tutorial using bioinformatics and molecular graphics (during computer practical in weeks 1-4)
| Mid semester | 5% |
Mid Semester Test 2
| Week 10 | 10% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Isabelle Rouiller Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours One 2-hour face-to-face workshop per week and online videos equivalent to two 1-hour lectures. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Associate Professor Isabelle Rouiller
isabelle.rouiller@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative Coordination
BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
An estimated total time commitment of 170 hours. Note: Students are required to attend or complete one (2 hour) computer-based practical for assessment.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Mike Williamson “How proteins work?” 2012 Garland Science ISBN 978-0-8153-4446-9
- 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 Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major Genetics Major Immunology Major Genetics Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Genetics Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology specialisation Major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Major Immunology Major Genetics - 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.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022