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Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BCMB20002)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville) and Online
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinator
Associate Professor Terry Mulhern
Associate Professor Heather Verkade
Administrative Coordination
Semester 2
Subject Coordinator
Associate Professor Terry Mulhern
Associate Professor Heather Verkade
Administrative Coordination
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Online Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject is an introduction to the field of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, building on 1st year chemical principles relating molecular structure to biological function. The content includes a detailed introduction to the structure of biological building blocks (amino acids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids). The subject covers the structure and function of proteins, including the properties of enzymes, their regulation and kinetic behaviour. How nucleic acids replicate information, are maintained and repaired and serve as a template for the synthesis of RNAs and proteins (i.e. molecular biology) is addressed. The structure of lipids is examined to show their major biological roles, particularly as components of cell membranes. Metabolic pathways (glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, glycogen metabolism, TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation) will complete this core coverage of essential biochemistry. The subject is a prerequisite for lecture-based level-3 subjects in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The subject is designed to stand alone, but it complements the laboratory experiences in the subject BCMB20005 “Techniques in Molecular Science”, Each of these level-2 subjects can be taken independently, concurrently or in either order.
Intended learning outcomes
By the end of the subject students should be able to:
- Explain the covalent, non-covalent and thermodynamic contributions to the structure and function of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids & carbohydrates).
- Generate and interpret pictorial representations of biomolecules.
- Apply mathematical models to analyse the function of biomolecules (e.g. chemical equilibria, ligand binding, enzyme kinetics and hydropathy index).
- Analyse nucleic acid and amino acid sequences to predict structural properties and evolutionary relationships.
- Discuss the molecular basis of chromosome structure, heredity, gene transcription and translation, DNA repair and cell cycle.
- Describe how extracellular signals are transmitted across membranes and become amplified in the cell
- Describe how lipid and protein composition affect the structural and functional properties of biological membranes.
- Explain how the linkage of monosaccharides gives rise to the structural and functional diversity of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides
- Compare and contrast cellular energy metabolism under anaerobic and aerobic conditions.
- Predict the changes in flow of metabolites in response to hormonal regulation and gene mutations.
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
-
think critically and organise and expand knowledge from consideration of the lecture material;
-
learn to adopt new ideas from participation in the lecture and tutorial programs; and
-
plan effective work schedules and grow more confident in the synthesis of knowledge.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOL10004:
Biology of Cells and Organisms
BIOL10005:
Genetics & The Evolution of Life
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM10003 | Chemistry 1 |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEM10004 | Chemistry 2 |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEM10006 | Chemistry for Biomedicine |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEM10009 | Chemistry for BioSciences | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
Candidates who have taken chemistry subjects at other universities may be accepted for BCMB20002 if their studies are equivalent to a full first year of chemistry with basic organic chemistry well covered. Contact the coordinator to ask for a waiver of the prerequisites (include previous chemistry subject details, the institution, the year(s) of study and the grades achieved).
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Bachelor of Biomedicine students taking the below subject are excluded from this subject:
BIOM20001
Passing BCMB20002 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology precludes subsequent credit for AGRI20043 Biochemistry in Agricultural Systems.
Recommended background knowledge
Level 1 Biology is strongly recommended.
A biomedical or biological practical subject such as
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BCMB20005 | Techniques in Molecular Science |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
or equivalent is strongly recommended.
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 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Mid Semester Test 1
| Week 5 | 15% |
Mid Semester Test 2
| Week 9 | 15% |
Weekly quiz and written assessments.
| Throughout the semester | 20% |
Written Exam
| During the examination period | 50% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1 - Online
Principal coordinator Terry Mulhern Coordinator Heather Verkade Mode of delivery Online Contact hours 3 x 1 hour online lectures, and one x 1 hour face-to-face tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Associate Professor Terry Mulhern
Associate Professor Heather VerkadeAdministrative Coordination
- Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery
Principal coordinator Terry Mulhern Coordinator Heather Verkade Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x 1 hour online lectures, and one x 1 hour face-to-face tutorial per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Associate Professor Terry Mulhern
Associate Professor Heather VerkadeAdministrative Coordination
Time commitment details
48 contact hours with an estimated total time commitment of 170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Nelson and Cox, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 7th edn. 2017
- Subject notes
BCMB20002 satisfy the Biochemistry prerequisites for progression in the Animal Health and Disease major.
This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and New Generation degrees).
This subject is not available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine.
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 Major Animal Health and Disease Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Plant Science Informal specialisation Zoology Major Botany Major Zoology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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 April 2024