Studying online
There are now 3 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Units available in Online Restricted mode have been adapted for online study only for those students who require the unit to complete their studies and who are unable to attend campus due to COVID border closures. To be enrolled in a unit in Online Restricted mode, students should contact their Student Advising Office through askUWA and include which of the below criteria applies:
- You are a student who is currently offshore and unable to enter Australia.
- You are a student in Australia who is impacted by state or regional border closures.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Restricted to enrolment by students unable to attend campus due to COVID border closures. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.
CHEM2005 The Molecules of Life
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 core unit in the Chemistry; Chemistry - Synthetic major sequences
- Content
- This unit provides an introduction to the chemistry relevant to biological systems. Topics to be covered include the important classes of biomolecules: amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and oligonucleotides, addressing their stereochemistry, structure, synthesis, biosynthesis (including the function of selected coenzymes) and importance in living systems. The biological activity of important secondary metabolites along with their biosynthetic pathways will be highlighted. The role of metal ions in biology, with an emphasis on the fundamental transition metal chemistry relevant to the mechanisms of metalloenzymes and metal-based drugs, is also explored.
- Outcomes
- Students are able to (1) describe key knowledge and concepts about organic and inorganic chemistry relevant to biological systems; (2) critically review basic facts, principles and theories of organic and inorganic chemistry; (3) solve problems at the biology/chemistry interface; (4) critically review chemical terminology, nomenclature and conventions associated with the classes of biomolecules; (5) critically review functional groups, their reactivity and interconversion; (6) acquire skills in performing standard laboratory procedures for simple synthetic organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry; (7) use instrumentation and interpretation of spectroscopic data for structure determination of inorganic and organic compounds; and (8) produce clear written communication of results of laboratory work and reading using correct scientific style.
- Assessment
- Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) final examination; (2) quizzes; and (3) laboratories. 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. - Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Gavin Flematti
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites:
- Successful completion of Unit(s) CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics (ID 1188) and Unit(s) CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity (ID 1191) and Unit(s) CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques
- Co-requisites:
- Nil
- Advisable prior study:
- CHEM2003 Chemical Synthesis (ID 1363)
- Incompatibility:
- Unit(s) CHEM3008 The Molecules of Life (ID 6085) and CHEM2221 Biological and Medicinal Chemistry (ID 6331)
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week; labs: 36 hours across the semester; tutorials: 1 per week
- Texts
Clayden, J. et al. Organic Chemistry, 2nd edn: Oxford University Press 2001
Dewick, P. Medicinal Natural Products, John Wiley and Sons, 1997-2008, any edition
Weller, M. et al. Inorganic Chemistry, 6th edn: Oxford University Press 2014
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.