Introduction to Biochemistry
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 60 hours face to face + blended
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2024 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 1 |
||
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
Basic biology, some organic chemistry
Aims and objectives
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Describe the properties of biomolecules and predict the behaviour of such molecules from their structure.
2. Name and write structures for representative molecules of the major classes of biochemical.
3. Interpret kinetic data and make predictions based on a simple model of enzyme kinetics.
4. Design and interpret protocols for biochemical assays.
5. Record, analyse and interpret data in the laboratory.
6. Communicate the results of experimental work.
7. Determine amounts and volumes in appropriate units from dilutions, unit conversions etc.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
Type | Hours per week | Number of Weeks | Total |
On Campus Lecture | 3 | 12 | 36 |
| On Campus Science Lab | 2 | 12 | 24 |
Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 7.5 | 12 | 90 |
TOTAL | 150 hours |
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Examination | Individual | 25-35% | 1, 2, 3 |
| Test(s) | Individual | 25-35% | 1, 2, 3 |
| Laboratory Reports | Individual | 25-35% | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Quizzes | Individual | 5-15% | 1, 2, 3 |
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass the unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must:
Content
• Structure, chemical properties and function of the main classes of biomolecules including monosaccharides, polysaccharides, amino acids, peptides and proteins, fatty acids, triacylglycerols and related lipids, nucleotides and nucleic acids.
• Protein architecture and its relationship to protein function.
• Enzyme kinetics, reaction mechanisms, methods for enzyme assay and analysis, inhibition of enzyme activity.
• Principles of bioenergetics, strategies of metabolism, types of metabolic reactions.
• Reactions of glycogenolysis, glycolysis, citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.
• Practical program to support the above theory including spectrophotometry, quantitative and qualitative analysis of metabolites and proteins.
• Safety in the laboratory
Study resources
- Reading materials.