Major Overview

Description

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

Courses

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

Example Study Plan

See study plans for more information.

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Incompatibility
Unit(s) BIOC2201 Biochemistry of the Cell
and Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
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
S1 BIOC3002 Structural and Functional 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
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
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