Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedicine - 2009 & 2010
The table below summarises the subjects on
offer from the
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in
the new Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedicine
degrees. (Note: subject numbers are yet to
be finalised).
View a sample
BSc course with a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| Subject Name | Year (Sem) offered | Pre-requisites pre-2008 | Pre-requisites NG Science and Biomed | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | Year 2 (Sem 1) | BSc - 610141 Chemistry 1, 610142 Chemistry
2 BBiomed - Chemistry for Biomedicine |
BSc - Chemistry 1, Chemistry 2 BBiomed - Chemistry for Biomedicine |
Explores molecular mechanisms of life processes and cellular architecture.
Required for a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Also is an excellent component of any biosciences major. Covers structure and replication of nucleic acids; protein synthesis and structure, enzyme function, regulation and kinetics; structure of lipids and carbohydrates and their role as components of cell membranes and energy sources; the metabolism of glucose. |
| Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function | Year 2 (Sem 2) | BSc - 610141 Chemistry 1, 610142 Chemistry
2 BBiomed - Chemistry for Biomedicine |
BSc - Chemistry 1, Chemistry
2
BBiomed - Chemistry for Biomedicine |
Investigates the molecular basis of cellular structures and functions, including the composition and role of biomembranes; events in cellular life and death; the use of dietary molecules to provide energy and molecular precursors essential for human health, including metabolic regulation by hormonal signalling; how photosynthesis makes carbohydrates from CO2 using solar energy. |
| Techniques in Molecular Science | Year 2 (Sems 1 & 2) | BSc - 610141 Chemistry 1, 610142 Chemistry
2 BBiomed - Chemistry for Biomedicine |
BSc - Chemistry 1, Chemistry
2
BBiomed - Chemistry for Biomedicine |
Introduction to many of the techniques used in of molecular
science. Required for a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Students will develop practical skills in the laboratory and an understanding of the techniques employed in biochemistry and molecular biology to investigate biological problems. Covers standard laboratory methods as well as methods driving the emerging fields of genomics and proteomics. |
| Protein Structure and Function | Year 3 (Sem 2) | BSc - 521211 Biochem & Mol Biol Part A,
521212 Biochem & Mol
Biol Part B BBiomed - 521213 Integrated Biomed Sci I and 536250 Integrated Biomed Sci II |
BSc - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BBiomed - Level 2 core subjects |
Proteins are structurally and functionally diverse and may be important therapeutic targets in biomedicine, or serve as novel machines for biotechnology. Emphasizes the structure of proteins and their interactions with physiologically important molecules. Topics to include the properties of protein structure; protein synthesis, folding, misfolding, targeting and trafficking; protein engineering; protein evolution and bioinformatics; binding of small molecules to proteins and drug design; effects of mutations on protein structure, stability and function; enzyme reaction kinetics and mechanisms. |
| Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics | Year 3 (Sem 1) | BSc - 521211 Biochem & Mol Biol Part A,
521212 Biochem & Mol
Biol Part B BBiomed - 521213 Integrated Biomed Sci I and 536250 Integrated Biomed Sci II |
BSc - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BBiomed - Level 2 core subjects |
The knowledge of genome structures from various organisms and rapid development of technologies that exploit this knowledge are driving revolutions in biology, medicine and biotechnology. Covers the structure and expression of genomes in higher organisms. Provides an understanding of technologies used to analyse and manipulate genes. Functional genomic approaches to investigate cancer and will be used to exemplify how molecular biology can be applied to the study of human biology and health. |
| Molecular Aspects of Cell Biology | Year 3 (Sem 1) | BSc - 521211 Biochem & Mol Biol Part A,
521212 Biochem & Mol Biol Part B BBiomed - 521213 Integrated Biomed Sci I and 536250 Integrated Biomed Sci II |
BSc - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BBiomed - Level 2 core subjects |
Unit provides a contemporary overview of the molecular architecture of cells. The range of topics includes compartmentalization and molecular trafficking in eukaryotic cells; protein folding and maturation; structure and function of the extracellular matrix and cell adhesion molecules and their roles in disease states; cellular stress responses and linked signal transduction events; and the molecular processes regulating cytoskeleton assembly and disassembly, cell movement and shape changes. |
| Cell Signalling and Neurochemistry | Year 3 (Sem 2) | BSc - 521211 Biochem & Mol Biol Part A,
521212 Biochem & Mol
Biol Part B BBiomed - 521213 Integrated Biomed Sci I and 536250 Integrated Biomed Sci II |
BSc - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology BBiomed - Level 2 core subjects |
Aberrations in the structure and functions of hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters can give rise to pathologies such as cancer and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease. Addresses the molecular basis of such diseases. Topics to include how the signals of hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters are amplified and transmitted by intracellular signaling pathways in the target cells and tissues, and the biochemical basis of pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. |
| Biochemistry of Metabolism & Nutrition | Year 3 (Sem 1) | BSc - 521211 Biochem & Mol Biol Part A, 521212 Biochem & Mol Biol Part B BBiomed - 521213 Integrated Biomed Sci I and 536250 Integrated Biomed Sci II |
Not offered after 2009 | Deals with the interpretation of nutritional information and factors that affect energy balance at the molecular level. Provides a general understanding of how metabolic processes are controlled. Topics include the relationships between nutrients and metabolic processes, and how they contribute to various physiological and disease states, including an overview of nutrition and metabolism of the major food groups – proteins, carbohydrates and lipids; the principles behind control of the digestion and absorption of nutrients; the concepts of bioenergetics and the consequences of aerobic metabolism. |
| Advanced Techniques in Molecular Science | Year 3 (Sems 1 & 2) | BSc - 521211 Biochem & Mol Biol Part A, 521212 Biochem & Mol Biol Part B, 521220 Techniques in Protein & Gene Technology BBiomed - 521213 Integrated Biomed Sci I, 536250 Integrated Biomed Sci II |
BSc - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Techniques
in Protein & Gene Technology BBiomed - Level 2 core subjects |
Provides practical training in techniques used in gene technology and protein expression and analysis. Required for a major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Experiments will include proteomic analysis of serum proteins, DNA cloning and sequencing and recombinant protein expression and analysis. Students will be trained in bioinformatic analysis of mass spectrometry and DNA sequence data. |