Unit details

BIOC3005 Cellular Biochemistry

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major sequence
• The area of knowledge for this unit is Life and Health Sciences
• Category B broadening unit for students
• Level 3 elective

Content

This unit builds on the Level 2 units BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell and BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function. The topics of protein targeting, signal transduction and the life cycle of cells—growth, differentiation, cancer and cell death—are covered. Mechanisms of metabolic regulation, the role of enzymes and energy generation (which explains how cells cope with environmental changes and stress) complete the theory part of the unit. The laboratory practical component encompasses tissue culture and qualitative and quantitative analysis of changes in gene expression on cell stimulation and/or differentiation. The opportunity to engage in a research project in a research laboratory may be offered (depending on staff availability) to students who are enrolled in a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major and also enrolled in
this unit and BIOC3003 Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function. Students who have achieved an average grade of 65 per cent or more in their second-year Biochemistry and Molecular Biology unit(s) are eligible to apply. The research project runs for about 10 weeks and replaces the teaching laboratory components of this unit BIOC3003 Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function. Students undertaking a research project still do the laboratory quiz and the mark for their written report on the project replaces the laboratory report written by students taking the teaching laboratory component.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) gain an understanding of cell function at the biochemical level, including the biochemical basis of cellular malfunctions that lead to stressed or diseased states, e.g. cancer, oxidative stress; (2) develop research skills in cell culture, modern methods of quantitative analysis of gene expression and data collection, analysis and written reporting of results; and (3) acquire skills in literature research, comprehension and analysis of scientific publications and oral and visual presentation of scientific material.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) two theory examinations (mid-semester and end-of-semester); (2) lab assessment; and (3) an oral presentation of a journal article. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Paul Attwood

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

[(BIOC2203 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
or
BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell)
and
(BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
or
BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function)]

Incompatibility:

BIOC3352 Cellular and Metabolic Biochemistry; PHYL3300 Mammalian Cell Biology

Contact hours

lectures: 26 x 1 hour; labs: 5 x 6 hours; journal clubs: 7 x 1 hour