Unit details

BIOC3005 Cellular Biochemistry

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

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

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Molecular Life Sciences; Biochemistry of Nutrition major sequences
• 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) demonstrate 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) demonstrate research skills in cell culture, modern methods of quantitative analysis of gene expression and data collection, analysis and written reporting of results; and (3) use 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) final Exam; (2) laboratories; and (3) oral Journal Club Presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the laboratories component.

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 Georg Fritz

Unit rules

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

Contact hours

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

Note

BIOC3005 has a compulsory face to face laboratory component, which will need to be completed (at a later date) before a final grade can be awarded for the unit, if the unit is completed in an online mode.