Unit details

BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face
Semester 1	Online	Online Restricted

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 core unit in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Molecular Life Sciences; Biochemistry of Nutrition; Plant Biology major sequences
• Level 2 elective

Content

This is an introductory unit that explores the molecular basis of life at the cellular level through a flipped classroom, active learning experience. Students will engage with learning materials; e.g. videos (i.e. recorded lectures) and readings, in preparation for activities in workshops and laboratories, which will be continuously assessed throughout semester. The theoretical content of the unit is divided into four major themes: (1) DNA, with a focus on recombinant DNA technology; (2) information flow from DNA to RNA, with an emphasis on how this is regulated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels; (3) the protein life cycle, involving an examination of protein synthesis and catabolism pathways; and (4) proteins as functional molecules, where the fundamentals of enzyme action are highlighted.

Detailed content includes (1) role of DNA polymerases in DNA replication, tools of the molecular biologist, cloning, genetic recombination and DNA sequencing; (2) transcriptional regulation of genes, post-transcriptional processing and methods to quantify mRNA transcripts; (3) protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, control of protein synthesis, post-translational modifications, protein targeting, protein catabolism and antibodies as tools of discovery; and (4) proteins as enzymes, enzyme kinetics, proteolytic enzymes, and enzymes as tools of discovery. The laboratories introduce students to modern technologies used in commercial and research laboratories, which include fundamental techniques of homogenisation, centrifugation, spectrophotometry, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and enzyme kinetics.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) develop a broad knowledge of the fundamentals of biochemistry and molecular biology; (2) develop an understanding of the 'language' of biochemistry and molecular biology; (3) develop knowledge of the chemistry, structures and functions of biological molecules in a cellular context; and (4) in the laboratory class: (i) acquire in-depth knowledge about key techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology; (ii) develop laboratory skills required for scientific problem solving; (iii) further develop quantitative reasoning skills; (iv) develop skills to communicate scientific information in written and oral forms; and (v) develop collaborative skills.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) continuous assessment of engagement with theory component learning materials and participation in workshop activities using online quizzes; (2) an end-of-semester examination; and (3) continuous assessment of laboratory component using online quizzes and marked reports. Further information is available in the unit outline.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Peter Arthur and Dr Alyssa Van Dreumel

Unit rules

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

Contact hours

Workshops: 12x 90 minutes;
Laboratories: 6x 3 hours;
Post-laboratory sessions: 4x 90 minutes