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Cellular Metabolism and Disease (BCMB30011)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 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
Associate Professor Heather Verkade
Administrative Coordination
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
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: 31 January 2024
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 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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
5-10 written assessments totalling approx. 1600 words and prepared figures
| Throughout the semester | 35% |
Mid Semester Test 1
| Around week 5 | 10% |
Mid Semester Test 2
| Around week 10 | 10% |
Exam
| During the examination period | 45% |
Attendance at 70% of workshops Hurdle requirement: Attendance at 70% of workshops i.e. 10-11 x 2 hour workshops | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Heather Verkade Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 2 hour workshop per week Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024 Last self-enrol date 8 March 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
Associate Professor Heather Verkade
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.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
No prescribed text
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI 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.
- 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: 31 January 2024