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Cellular Metabolism and Disease (BCMB30011)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)

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In First Half Year 2021, there will be three delivery modes for your subjects – Dual-Delivery, Online and On Campus.
Please refer to the return to campus page for more information on these delivery modes and students who can enrol in each mode based on their location in first half year 2021.

Overview

Availability
Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery
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The interpretation of nutritional information relies on an understanding of how nutrients are metabolised and what can go wrong in disease states. The subject material covers the regulation of blood glucose concentration and the causes of diabetes; the generation of free-radicals and the importance of antioxidants in protecting proteins, lipids and DNA from oxidative damage; metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, neurons and immune cells; metabolism in the gut: the role of the microbiota; metabolomics and other research methods for the study of metabolism.

Intended learning outcomes

By the end of the subject the student should be able to:

  • Describe the molecular basis of how humans handle nutrients via metabolism and compare these with disease states
  • Explain the mechanisms and consequences of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells, and in neurons and immune cells in both physiological and pathophysiological conditions
  • Describe how the emerging field of metabolomics (the study of a range of metabolites in a cell or tissue) is being applied as a diagnostic tool, including a consideration of ethical issues such as study design, sample collection and data usage
  • Explain how targeting critical events in metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells as the therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment
  • Analyse experimental data to detect changes in metabolism
  • Critically analyse of the current scientific literature on metabolomics and metabolic reprogramming in diseases.

Generic skills

Students will be provided with the opportunity to develop skills in critical thinking, particularly through researching a relevant topic and preparing a 1000-word essay assignment. They will learn to apply theoretical principles to the explanation of observations and acquire skills in time management.

Last updated: 11 February 2021

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BCMB20002 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Semester 1
Semester 2
 12.5
BIOM20001 Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine
Semester 1
 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 BCMB30011 Metabolism and Nutrition if they obtained credit for the pre-2010 subject Biochemistry of Metabolism and Nutrition (521-305).

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: 11 February 2021

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

5-10 written assessments totalling approx. 1600 words and prepared figures

  • 1600 words
Throughout the semester35%

Mid Semester Test 1

  • 30 minutes
Around week 510%

Mid Semester Test 2

  • 30 minutes
Around week 1010%

Exam

  • 2 hours
During the examination period45%

Attendance at 70% of workshops

Hurdle requirement: Attendance at 70% of workshops i.e. 10-11 x 2 hour workshops		N/A

Last updated: 11 February 2021

Please refer to the Return to Campus page for information on subject delivery modes in First Half Year 2021 (including Summer Term and Semester 1).

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorHeather Verkade
    Mode of deliveryDual-Delivery (Parkville)
    Contact hours2 hour workshop per week
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period 1 March 2021 to 30 May 2021
    Last self-enrol date12 March 2021
    Census date31 March 2021
    Last date to withdraw without fail 7 May 2021
    Assessment period ends25 June 2021

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 11 February 2021

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    No prescribed text

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    Informal specialisationScience Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI
    MajorBiochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Informal specialisationElective subjects for B-BMED
    MajorBiochemistry 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.

  • 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: 11 February 2021