BIOCHEM 2503 - Biochemistry II (Biotechnology): Metabolism

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

BIOCHEM 2503 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 metabolic biochemistry and molecular biology concepts. The topics covered include signal transduction pathways, tissue specific metabolism and its control, enzyme specificity and regulation for important metabolic pathways, how the body adjusts to variations in the demand for energy, mechanisms of hormone action and extensions of the signal transduction pathways covered at the beginning of the semester. The course combines lectures, tutorials that reinforce the lecture content, and practicals complement this material. PRACTICAL COMPONENT worth 20% of the grade: Students enrolled in this course will need to also enrol in a separate course which is the practical component (one of SCIENCE 2200, SCIENCE 2201 or SCIENCE 2202). To determine which practical to enrol into you are required to read the document on: https://set.adelaide.edu.au/student-support/enrolment#course-information-and-timetabling-resources please scroll down to "Level 2 BIOCHEM, GENETICS, MICRO courses".

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code BIOCHEM 2503
    Course Biochemistry II (Biotechnology): Metabolism
    Coordinating Unit Molec & Biomedical Science
    Term Semester 2
    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 and CHEM 1200) or (CHEM 1101 and CHEM 1201)) and (BIOLOGY 1101, BIOLOGY 1101ND, BIOLOGY 1001 or BIOLOGY 1401) and (BIOLOGY 1201 or BIOLOGY 1202)
    Corequisites One of SCIENCE 2200, SCIENCE 2201 or SCIENCE 2202; This co-requisite is the practical component that is worth 20% of your course.
    Incompatible BIOCHEM 2501
    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: Dr John Bruning

    Mrs Racheline (Lynn) Rogers
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    1 Understand:

    Cell signalling 
    The main principles of metabolic biochemistry concepts   
    How homeostasis is controlled in the body   
    The function of specific anabolic and catabolic pathways and how these pathways are controlled and interrelated   
    How current research has provided us with an understanding of the molecular basis of the control of  metabolism 
    How tto communicate scientific information effectively in writing   
    Hypothesis-based experimental design
    2 Plan and safely perform fundamental techniques in molecular and cellular biology
    3 Interpret, analyse, and affectively 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)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-3

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    2-3

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    1-3

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    2-3

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    1-3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Recommended Textbooks
    "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" Despo Papachristodoulou, Alison Snape, William H. Elliott and Daphne C. Elliott
    5th edition (OUP)

    AND

    Suitable Laboratory attire
    Recommended Resources
    See above
    Online Learning
    All lectures are recorded

    Lecture notes are placed on MyUni along with tutorial Assignments, feedback to assessments and past examination papers

    MCQs with feedback are on MyUni

    Lynn's Concept slides to help with the more difficult course concepts are also found on MyUni

    Daily monitored Discussion Board
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Three Lectures per week although some of these are in the form of lectorials or large tutorial formats where the lecturer reviews the course work and students can ask questions

    Small group tutorials

    Daily monitored Discussion Board

    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

    Week 1 Cell signalling
    Week 2 Cell signalling
    Week 3 Digestion and characteristics of different tissues
    Week 4 Glucose traffic in the body
    Week 5 Obtaining energy from glucose
    Week 6 Obtaining energy from other foods
    Week 7 Carbohydrate to fat and other molecules
    Week 8 Other metabolic pathways and interesting molecules
    Week 9 Metabolic Diseases/Integration
    Week 10 Integration continued
    How to answer exam questions
    Written test
    Week 11 Lectorials
    Metabolic integration
    How to answer exam questions
    Week 12 Lectorials
    Review
    How to answer exam questions


  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary

    Assessment Task Type of assessment
    Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes
    Hurdle
    Yes/No
    Learning Outcome
    Written tests and tutorial assignments Formative/Summative

    20%

    No 1
    Online Tests with feedback Summative 10% No 1
    Practical assessments Formative/Summative 20% No 2-3
    Final written exam Summative 50% No 1
    Assessment Related Requirements
     
    Assessment Detail

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

    MCQ tests given weekly to encourage further reading of course material and to ensure understanding of concepts as the course progresses. 
    Students are given one week to organise themselves to complete the one hour tests.

    Written Tests: 20% of total course grade

    Written tests are given during tutorial and or lecture sessions as timetable permits to ensure understanding of the material presented during the semester and to impart scientific communication skills to students. Students receive feedback within a week, both verbal in a class format, and written, in the form of example (anonymous) answers from students who have done well. These remain on MyUni for the duration of the semester.

    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 examination covering lecture and tutorial material made up of short and long answer questions.

    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
  • 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.