Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major
What are genes? How do hormones work? What goes wrong in a cancer cell? If these questions are of interest, then the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major may be for you. Biochemists and molecular biologists are interested in the molecular functions of all living organisms, from the smallest bacterium to the largest whale. In this major, students study the way molecules are organised and how they interact to achieve the functions of the living cell and that of the organism. Your investigations cover three main areas: the information stored in DNA; molecular interactions; and how organisms gain and use energy.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the theoretical basis of biochemistry and molecular biology; (2) demonstrate critical analysis and the application of scientific method to biochemical problems; (3) demonstrate technical competency in basic laboratory skills including solution preparation, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, and operation of general laboratory equipment; (4) effectively communicate biochemical and molecular biological knowledge in both written and oral forms; and (5) apply relevant employability skills for biochemistry and molecular biology.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Prerequisites
ATAR Mathematics Methods or equivalent or higher and ATAR Chemistry or equivalent or higher.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP004 Bachelor of Science
BP006 Bachelor of Biomedical Science
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a degree-specific single major comprising:
- five Level 1 units
- two Level 2 units
- four Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2 |
Level 1
Take all units (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1001 | Chemistry—Properties and Energetics |
|
| S2 | SCIE1106 | Molecular Biology of the Cell |
|
| S1, S2 | STAT1400 | Statistics for Science |
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points from this group:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1002 | Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity |
|
| S2 | CHEM1004 | Biological Chemistry |
|
Bridging units must be successfully completed within the first 48 points of study. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Mathematics Applications ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete MATH1720 and MATH1721. Students who have not achieved a scaled mark of at least 50 in Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher are required to complete CHEM1003.
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | CHEM1003 | Introductory Chemistry |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1720 | Mathematics Fundamentals |
|
| S1, S2 | MATH1721 | Mathematics Foundations: Methods |
|
Level 2
Take all units (12 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BIOC2001 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell | |
| S2 | BIOC2002 | Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function |
|
Level 3
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | BIOC3001 | Molecular Biology |
|
| S1 | BIOC3002 | Structural and Functional Biochemistry | |
| S2 | BIOC3003 | Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function |
|
| S2 | BIOC3005 | Cellular Biochemistry |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not require you to choose a degree-specific major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
The following example illustrates how the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree-specific major can be included in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Biomedical Science course.
- Example 1:
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-BCHMB
- Example 2:
- Course Study Plan: CSP006-BCHMB
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .
Choosing a second major
You also have the option to choose a second major from those available in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Biomedical Science, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Design Only available to re-enrolling students. and Bachelor of Science courses, giving you the opportunity to pursue your interests no matter how different they are.
The following example illustrates how the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree-specific major can be combined with a second major in the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Biomedical Science course.
- Example 1:
- Course Study Plan: CSP004-BCHMB-Generic
- Example 2:
- Course Study Plan: CSP006-BCHMB-Generic
For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .