Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major (MJD-BCHMB)

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) demonstrate competency in high-level critical thinking and communication skills suited to gaining employment in the field of 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

Mathematics Methods ATAR or equivalent or higher or Mathematics Applications ATAR with a mathematics unit taken in the first year. Students without ATAR mathematics will take two first year mathematics unit.
Chemistry ATAR or equivalent or higher or an additional chemistry unit taken in the first year

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology can be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

Overview of unit sequence

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a degree-specific single major comprising:

  • six Level 1 units
  • two Level 2 units
  • four Level 3 units
Key to availability of units:
S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2

Level 1

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Human Biology
or
equivalent
or
ATAR Subject(s) Biology
or
equivalent
or
Unit(s) ANHB1101 Human Biology I: Becoming Human
or
Unit(s) ANHB1102 Human Biology II: Being Human
or
Unit(s) BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or
Unit(s) IMED1001 Form and Function and Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
equivalent
or
Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
Degree-specific major units
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points from this group:
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry ATAR
or
Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Successful completion of CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
S1, S2 CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of Unit(s) CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry (ID 1063)
or
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
ATAR Subject(s) WACE Chemistry 3A/3B
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
Degree-specific major units
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points from this group:
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 SCIE1104 Science, Society and Data Analysis
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of ATAR Subject(s) Mathematics Applications
or
equivalent
or
Mathematics Methods
or
equivalent
or
Unit(s) MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Co-requisites:
Enrolment in Unit(s) MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Or
SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists Successful completion of Unit(s) MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Or
SCIE1500 Analytical Methods for Scientists
Incompatibility:
Successful completion of Unit(s) STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
S1, S2 STAT1400 Statistics for Science
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR
or
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
or
equivalent
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
STAT1520 Economic and Business Statistics
Bridging units
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
Prerequisites:
Nil
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry
or
equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites:
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50]
or
with permission
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50
or
greater]
or
Equivalent
or
higher
S1, S2 MATH1721 Mathematics Foundations: Methods
Prerequisites:
( Mathematics Applications ATAR
or
MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals )
or
( Mathematics Methods ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50]
or
equivalent )
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
MATH1011 Multivariable Calculus and MATH1012 Mathematical Theory and Methods and STAT1520 Economics and Business Statistics

Level 2

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (12 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
or
Unit(s) BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
or
Unit(s) CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Unit(s) BIOC2201 Biochemistry of the Cell and Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
S1, S2 BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Prerequisites:
Enrolment in Major(s) MJD-BCNDM Biochemistry of Nutrition
or
Major(s) MJD-MLSDM Molecular Life Sciences
or
Major(s) MJD-BCHMB Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Successful completion of two Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
or
Unit(s) CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
Co-requisites:
Successful completion of
Or
Enrolment in One Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Incompatibility:
Unit(s) BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function

Level 3

Degree-specific major units
Take all units (24 points):
Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 BIOC3001 Molecular Biology
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S1 BIOC3002 Structural and Functional Biochemistry
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) BIOC2201 Biochemistry of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 BIOC3003 Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil
S2 BIOC3005 Cellular Biochemistry
Prerequisites:
Successful completion of two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Co-requisites:
Nil
Incompatibility:
Nil

Choosing your 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 Study Plan

There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .

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.

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.

For more examples of combinations of majors, search the study plans .