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Techniques in Molecular Science (BCMB20005)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable (login required)(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Subject Coordinator
Dr Amber Willems-Jones
Administrative Coordination
Semester 2
Subject Coordinator
Dr Amber Willems-Jones
Dr Alexander Rey
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 develop key scientific communication skills required to report on their practical work; as well as learning to relate theoretical principles to practical observations.
Online lectures will cover the theory of these standard laboratory techniques central to biochemistry and molecular biology and new methods driving the fields of genomics and proteomics.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- describe the theory of key techniques used in molecular and cell biology and protein biochemistry
- competently carry out experimental protocols in molecular biology, protein biochemistry and cell biology using standard laboratory equipment and reagents
- generate data for further analysis
- perform biochemical calculations
- evaluate data (including trouble-shooting errors or explaining inconsistencies) to make quantitative assessments of experimental results
- collate and present data in a conventional standardised format for concise scientific reports
- 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: 24 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10008 | Foundational Biology: Life's Machinery |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Not available in 2024 |
12.5 |
BIOL10004: Biology of Cells and Organisms
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEM10003 | Chemistry 1 |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEM10004 | Chemistry 2 |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
CHEM10006 | Chemistry for Biomedicine |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
No longer available |
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: 24 February 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Weekly MCQs on preparation for practical class
| Weekly throughout the teaching period | 2.5% |
Assessed Practical performance
| Week 12 | 10% |
Weekly quizzes (10 MCQs per quiz)
| Throughout the teaching period | 6% |
Written reports based on experimental data (4 reports)
| Throughout the teaching period | 47.5% |
Written final examination
| During the examination period | 25% |
Continuous assessment through completion of an online Scientific Investigation module Continuous (3 x 1 hr modules embedded in class).
| Throughout the teaching period | 9% |
Attendance- 80% attendance at practical classes and tutorial sessions Hurdle requirement: 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). | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 24 February 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Amber Willems-Jones Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per week of practicals, 1 hour per week online lecture, 2 hours per fortnight tutorial/workshops Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 23 February 2024 Census date 3 April 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024 Assessment period ends 21 June 2024 Semester 1 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Amber Willems-Jones
Administrative Coordination
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Amber Willems-Jones Coordinator Alexander Rey Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 hours per week of practicals, 1 hour per week online lecture, 2 hours per fortnight tutorial/workshops Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 22 July 2024 to 20 October 2024 Last self-enrol date 30 June 2024 Census date 2 September 2024 Last date to withdraw without fail 20 September 2024 Assessment period ends 15 November 2024 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinator
Dr Amber Willems-Jones
Dr Alexander Rey
Administrative Coordination
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 192 students per semester 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: 24 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
Recommended texts and other resources
Keith Wilson and John Walker, Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 6th Ed (2005) Cambridge University Press.
- 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).
- 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 Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI - 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.
Additional information for this subject
quota subject - application deadline as per http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
- 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: 24 February 2024