Availabilities:

2021 unit offering information will be available in November 2020

Unit description

Provides an overview of general biochemistry to enable students to understand the role of chemical reactions in biological systems. Covers basic biochemical organisation and processes of the body, bioenergetics, selected metabolic pathways, and methods of separation and characterisation of molecules of biological interest.

Unit content

  • Review of organic functional groups, cellular structure and function, and properties of water
  • Amino acids and protein structure, function, biological roles, and metabolism
  • Enzymes, coenzymes, reaction kinetics
  • Metabolism and bioenergetics: Krebs cycle, electron transport chain and ATP synthesis
  • Carbohydrates: structure, function, biological roles, and metabolism
  • Lipids: structure, function, biological roles, and metabolism
  • Nucleic acids and protein synthesis

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1relate the chemical and structural characteristics of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and carbohydrates to their biological roles and functions.Intellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
2relate the chemical and structural characteristics of lipids, cell membranes, and nucleic acids to their biological roles and functions.Intellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
3discuss the metabolic pathways of amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids, and explain bioenergetics in a cellular context.Intellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
4explain the inter-related nature of metabolic pathways and how they are regulated in human biochemistry.Intellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline
5perform experiments, interpret data and explain the link between theory and the experimental process.Intellectual rigourKnowledge of a discipline

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. relate the chemical and structural characteristics of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, and carbohydrates to their biological roles and functions.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  2. relate the chemical and structural characteristics of lipids, cell membranes, and nucleic acids to their biological roles and functions.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  3. discuss the metabolic pathways of amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids, and explain bioenergetics in a cellular context.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  4. explain the inter-related nature of metabolic pathways and how they are regulated in human biochemistry.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline
  5. perform experiments, interpret data and explain the link between theory and the experimental process.
    • GA1: Intellectual rigour
    • GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Prescribed texts

  • Prescribed text information is not currently available.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Tutorial on-site 1.5 hours (10 weeks)
Lecture online 1 hour (9 weeks)
Laboratory session 3 hours (4 weeks)
Assessment
Exam: closed book50%
Exam: closed book30%
Report10%
Practical skills10%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2021 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 2

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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