BIOCHEM 2502 - Biochem II (Biotech): Molecular and Cell Biology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

BIOCHEM 2502 uses the knowledge and understanding gained in the prerequisite Level I courses (see below) to provide students with an appreciation and an understanding of key biochemistry and molecular biology concepts. Consequently the topics covered include specialised proteins, enzyme specificity and regulation, DNA structure, synthesis and repair, RNA and protein synthesis, and some pathways utilised to control gene expression. The course combines lectures, tutorials that reinforce the lecture content, and practicals to complement the lecture content. This practical component draws from the MBS Practical series: Prac A, Prac B and Prac C. Refer to Study With Us_Student Support_Enrolment Help information at https://sciences.adelaide.edu.au/study/student-support/enrolment-help for further information.

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Course Details

Course Code	BIOCHEM 2502
Course	Biochem II (Biotech): Molecular and Cell Biology
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 8 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	CHEM 1100 & CHEM 1200 or CHEM 1101 & CHEM 1201, BIOLOGY 1101 & BIOLOGY 1201 or BIOLOGY 1202, or BIOLOGY 1001
Incompatible	BIOCHEM 2500
Restrictions	Available to B Sc (Biotechnology) students only
Assessment	Final exam, written tests, written practical assessments within the prac ABC system and online tests of multiple choice questions

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Keith Shearwin

Mrs Racheline (Lynn) Rogers

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Understand aspects of: Protein structure and function Enzymes DNA structure, synthesis, and repair RNA synthesis and the control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes Protein synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
2	Understand hypothesis-based experimental design
3	Plan and safely perform fundamental techniques in molecular and cellular biology
4	Interpret, analyse and effectively communicate experimental data and conclusions of scientific research

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1-4
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	3-4
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	1-4
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	3
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	2-4

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Textbook:
"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" Despo Papachristodoulou, Alison Snape, William H. Elliott and Daphne C. Elliott
5th Edition (OUP)
or
Any other current biochemistry text.

For Practicals
Laboratory coat and closed shoes on practical days

Recommended Resources

See above for recommended Textbook

Online Learning

MyUni is an essential resource for this course but it is essential for students to login regularly to check on important course-related announcements and material.

Students will find the following on MyUni:

All lectures are recorded

All lecture notes

Tutorial questions

Past examinations

The Discussion Board which is monitored daily

Summative MCQs with Feedback

Lynn's Swot Activities to help with some of the more difficult concepts in the course
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures
Three lectures per week, some are revision lectures or lectorials (see below)

Tutorials
An average of one tutorial per week although some weeks may be tutorial-free because the tutorials are held as "Lectorials": tutorial
sessions in a large class format where students are encouraged to ask
questions

Practicals
An average of 20 hours per semester

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

Learning Activities Summary

Weeks 1-2
Protein structure and function
Enzymes

Weeks 3-4
DNA Structure, Replication and Repair

Weeks 5-7
Transcription and Gene Expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Weeks 8
Review and revision of new concepts
How to answer exam questions

Weeks 9-10
The genetic code
Translation and control in prokaryotes and eukaryotes

Week 11
Review and assessment

Week 12
Protein sorting and delivery

Specific Course Requirements

Recommended Textbook and appropriate laboratory attire

Small Group Discovery Experience

This is covered during MBS Practical Series, MBS Prac B

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Type of Assessment	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle Yes or No	Learning Outcome
Written tests and assignments	Summative	25%	No	1
Online MCQs	Summative	10%	No	1
Practical	Summative	20%	No	1-4
Final written Exam	Summative	45%	No	1

Assessment Related Requirements

Assessment Detail

Online tests of multiple choice questions

MCQ Tests with immediate feedback to encourage further reading of course material so as to ensure understanding of lecture material.
Students are notified as each test is released and given a week to organise their time to complete the test.

Written Tests and assignments

Written tests also to ensure understanding of the content presented during the semester. They are usually held during tutorial or lecture sessions (timetable permitting). Students receive feedback within a week. Verbal feedback is done either during tutorials or during a specified lecture (as timetable permits). In addition written feedback in the form of excellent (anonymous) answers written by peer students in the class is put up on MyUni and remains accessible for all students as many do not attend lectures or tutorials.

Practical: 20% of total course grade

Four written practical assessments per semester handed in by the students are promptly assessed to provide feedback. Details vary depending on which practical students enrol into in the prac ABC system.

Final written examination: 50% of total course grade

A 2.5 hour exam covering lecture and tutorial material is held during the examination period.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted,then a penalty for late submission
will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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