BIOCHEM 2500 - Biochemistry II: Molecular and Cell Biology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

BIOCHEM 2500 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 2500
Course	Biochemistry II: 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	Y
Prerequisites	CHEM 1100 & CHEM 1200 or CHEM 1101 & CHEM 1201, BIOLOGY 1001 or BIOLOGY 1101/1101ND or BIOLOGY 1401, & BIOLOGY 1201 or BIOLOGY 1202
Incompatible	BIOCHEM 2502
Assessment	Final exam, written tests, written practical assessment in the prac ABC system and online tests of multiple choice questions

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Ms Lynn Rogers

Ms Racheline (Lynn) Rogers

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

1	Understand aspects of: Protein Structure and Function Enzymes DNA structure Synthesis and repair RNA and protein synthesis The control of prokaryote and eukaryote gene expression Protein Synthesis in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
2	Understanding 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

Textbooks:

"Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" by 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

Recommended Textbook (see above)
Lectures
Additional resources on MyUni

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

MCQs on MyUni

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

Learning & Teaching Modes

Lectures
An average of three lectures per week including revision lectures.
Some lectures are lectorial sessions (tutorial sessions in a large class format where students are encouraged to ask questions).

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

Lynn's Concept Slides
Where some of the more difficult course concepts are explained in detail and uploaded on MyUni

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 11-12
Protein sorting and delivery

Specific Course Requirements

Recommended Textbook and appropriate laboratory attire

Small Group Discovery Experience

This will be done in the Practical series, MBS Practical 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	Task Type	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes	Hurdle Yes or No	Learning Outcome
Written tests and Assignments	Summative	20%	No	1
Online tests	Summative	10%	No	1
Final Exam	Summative	50%	No	1
Practical assessments	Summative	20%	No	1-4

Assessment Related Requirements

Assessment Detail

Online tests of multiple choice questions: 10% of total course grade

MCQ Tests with immediate feedback to encourage further reading of course material so as to ensure students have an understanding of the concepts.
Students are notified as each test is released and given one week to organise their time to complete the test. There is an average of 10 questions per test.

Written Tests: 20% of total course grade

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

These tests provides the students with a benchmark for communicating scientific information effectively in writing. Subsequent summative tests are given as the semester progresses to ensure summative knowledge of course material.

Practical: 20% of total course grade

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 June/July 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 Access Adelaide.

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’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide 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