AGRIC 2500WT - Agricultural Biochemistry II

Waite Campus - Semester 1 - 2020

This course provides an advanced introduction to the fundamental processes of plant, animal and microbial metabolism. Topics will include protein structure and function, mechanisms and control of enzyme action, the biochemistry of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, energy generation, and the fundamentals of amino acid biochemistry. Examples of the application and context of key biochemical concepts to areas of science including plant and animal science, viticulture and oenology, veterinary medicine and food technology will be used to highlight the importance of biochemistry to all sectors of these sciences.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code AGRIC 2500WT
    Course Agricultural Biochemistry II
    Coordinating Unit School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Waite Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites CHEM 1100 or CHEM 1101 & CHEM 1200 or CHEM 1201
    Incompatible ANIML SC 2530RW, VET SC 2530RW
    Assumed Knowledge 6 units of Level I Biology
    Course Description This course provides an advanced introduction to the fundamental processes of plant, animal and microbial metabolism. Topics will include protein structure and function, mechanisms and control of enzyme action, the biochemistry of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, energy generation, and the fundamentals of amino acid biochemistry. Examples of the application and context of key biochemical concepts to areas of science including plant and animal science, viticulture and oenology, veterinary medicine and food technology will be used to highlight the importance of biochemistry to all sectors of these sciences.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Beth Loveys

    NameRoleBuilding/RoomEmail
    Dr Beth Loveys Course Coordinator G26, Charles Hawker Building, Waite Campus beth.loveys@adelaide.edu.au
    Assoc. Prof. Chris Ford Lecturer WIC 4.43, Waite Campus christopher.ford@adelaide.edu.au
    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1
    Describe the role of thermodynamics in the determination of biochemical reactivity and differentiate between the kinetic and thermodynamic factors influencing biochemical reactions.
    2
    Explain how protein structure and function is derived from the constituent amino acids, and compare the features of structural and globular proteins.
    3 Describe the basic principles governing the rate of enzyme catalysed reactions and the forms of inhibition of enzyme-catalysed reactions.
    4 Describe the major pathways of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and demonstrate how energy is stored and released through them.
    5 Demonstrate familiarity and competance with the practica skills and techniques used in biochemisal research and analysis. This will include experimental planning, the preparation of reagents and use of basic instrumentation (spectrophotmeters, centrifuges, chromatographic apparatus etc, the collection of biochemical data and its presentation, and most importantly the analysis and interpretation of the outcomes of biochemical investigations.
    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)
    1,2,3,4,5,6
    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
    7,8
    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
    7,8
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    7,8
    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
    8
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    There is no required textbook for this course.

    Recommended Resources

    The recommended text for this course is Tymoczko, Stryer and Berg (2015) Biochemistry A Short Course 3rd Edition. 

    Advanced treatment of topics covered during the course will be found in many of the major undergraduate biochemical textbooks. Students seeking further details and greater coverage of topics than are provided by the recommended text are encouraged to consider supplementing their study using one of these. Other good biochemistry texts include:

    • Nelson and Cox (2012) Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry 6th Edition
    • Berg, Tymoczko and Stryer (2006) Biochemistry 6th Edition
    • Mathews, Van Holde and Ahern (2000) Biochemistry.

    A limited number of copies of some of these texts will be held on Reserve in the Waite library.

    The publisher (WH Freeman and Company) offers a range of eBook options for access to the texts by Tymoczko et al., Berg et al. and Nelson & Cox. Some of these may be available for use by Australian students

    A shorter biochemistry ebook suitable for Kindle readers or the Kindle App on iPads etc, Instant Notes in Biochemistry 2nd Edition, by David Hames, is available for purchase or short-term rental from the Kindle store. While this book does not cover topics in the depth provided by any of the major textbooks mentioned above, it nonetheless provides a useful background to all of the topics covered in the course.

     A reading list of references relevant to topics covered in the course, which in many instances will provide the research context around these topics, is provided and can be accessed from MyUni. Individual articles contained on the reading list may be downloaded for private study. From time to time during the course, lecturing staff, tutors etc may suggest that you read additional scientific papers. These will be made available for online reading and download via MyUni; full details will be given as appropriate.

    Online Learning

    MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

    Course administration is accomplished using MyUni: activities will include email, Announcements, lecture handouts and recordings, an online reading list and links to past examinations. Coursework assignments may be submitted through Turnitin as directed. Coursework marks will be made available through the Gradebook. Assessment in the form of online quizzes will be offered during the semester as a part of the Formative Assessment component.  All materials will be released at the relevant time during the semester.

    Online activities for use before practical classes will be delivered using MyUni.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures:

    There are two lectures (each of 1 hour duration) per week; the first hour of lectures may be used to revise the previous week's lecture material.

    Lecture notes may be posted to MyUni a few days in advance of the respective lecture and will not generally be provided to students in hard copy. Every attempt will be made to record lectures, and to make them available for streaming and download from MyUni.

    Practicals:

    Each student will attend one practical session per fortnight i.e., in alternate weeks. Practical sessions are of 3 hours duration. Attendance at all practical classes is compulsory.

    Tutorials:

    Each student will attend compulsory tutorials each fortnight i.e., in alternate weeks to those when you will be attending a practical class. 


    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., pre-class preparation, post-class assessments, reading and revision).

    Learning Activities Summary
    Week Lecture Practical Tutorial
    1 Introduction and proteins Nitrite determination Calculations
    2 Proteins and enzymes Nitrite determination Calculations
    3 Calculations test and enzymes Enzyme kinetics Enzymes
    4 Lipids Enzyme kinetics Enzymes
    5 Libids and haemoglobin Ion exchange chromatography Lipids
    6 Carbohydrates Ion exchange chromatography Lipids
    7 Carbohydrates and metabolism Glucose extraction Carbohydrates
    8 Glycolysis Glucose extraction Carbohydrates
    9 Glycolysis and beta oxidation Starch extraction Metabolism
    10 Oxidative phosporylation Starch extraction Metabolism
    11 Gluconeogenesis Sports physiology TBL Sports physiology TBL
    12 Amino acids and urea cycle Revision Revision

    Lecture 1 (10-11) Lecture 2 (11-12) Week1 Course introduction Proteins  Week 2 Revision proteins  Enzymes Week 3 Calculations test  Revision Enzymes Week 4 Lipids Lipids Week 5 Lipids revision Hb and Myoglobin  Week 6 Carbohydrates Biofuels Week 7 Carbohydrates revision  Metabolism  Week 8 Glycolysis  Low alcohol wine Week 9 Metabolism and glycolysis revision  Beta oxidation  Week 10 Oxidative phosphorylation Oxidative phosphorylation Week 11 Pathways revision Gluconeogenesis/regulation Week 12 Amino acids/urea Gluconeogenesis revision 
    Specific Course Requirements
    PRACTICAL SESSION CODE OF CONDUCT All students must follow these rules in practical exercises:

    • Our students are from many countries, and speak in many different languages. The language of tuition and assessment of all courses at the University of Adelaide is English. Our teaching and demonstrating staff work exclusively in English and it is vital therefore that all discussion and communication between students in all class situations is in English ONLY. This is of particular importance with respect to laboratory classes, in which the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of all participants are at all times the most important consideration. It is expected that ALL students will be respectful and understanding of the diversity of language skills possessed by class members, and where appropriate will provide explanation and guidance to peers.
    • No eating, drinking, application of makeup, etc in laboratories; no water bottles or items of food or drink may be visible in laboratories; mobile phone calls to be taken and made outside the laboratory only.
    • Closed shoes must be worn at all times in all practical exercises, wherever they are held.
    • Lab coats and other personal protective equipment must be worn at all times in laboratories or other areas whenever students are instructed to wear them; these should be removed when leaving the laboratory.
    • Bags, coats, etc. that are brought into a lab must be placed under the bench to avoid causing obstructions.
    • All containers used during a practical session must be labelled, including water and other common non-toxic substances.
    • Report all accidents, personal or involving experimental materials, to the person in charge.
    • Playing around in a laboratory and many other work areas is dangerous; participants in improper behaviour will be asked to leave.
    • Students must dispose of materials as directed.
    • Students must wash their hands upon departing the labs and other work areas.
    • Students must clean and tidy their bench and/or work area before departure; benches and/or work areas will be inspected at the end of each practical session.
    • Students not complying with the rules will not receive credit for the practical session in which the breach occurred.
  • 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
    Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching.

    No elements of the course have a formal exemption from the requirements of the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

    Assessment taskTask typeDueWeightingLearning Outcome 
    Practical report - starch extraction Summative/Formative Week 11 or 12 10% 7
    Practical skills and biochemical calculations - Online test Summative/Formative Week 3 7.5% 7
    Laboratory notebook Summative/Formative Week 7 5% 7
    Online quizzes Summative/Formative Ongoing during semester 7.5% 1,2,3,4,5,6
    Tutorial Question Answer Sheets Summative/Formative Weeks 1 or 2, 3 or 4, 5 or 6 and 9 or 10 5% 1 to 6; 8
    Big Bang Bichem Summative/Formative Weeks 11 and 12 15% 2,3,4,8
    Exam Summative 50% 4,6
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Attendance at practicals and tutorials is compulsory; it is not acceptable to leave part-way through classes.

    Hurdle requirements:

    Students must achieve at least 40% of the total marks for the Summative Assessment component, i.e. a combined mark of not less than 72/180 for the mid-semester assessment and the end of semester examinations.

    Assessment Detail
    Coursework formative and summative assessment - details:

    Formative and summative assessment for the course will be covered by the following items:

    Practical class reports, laboratory book presentation and online test (22.5%):
    a. There will be practical classes conducted  over the course of the semester. Each of these will incorporate assessment of work submitted as laboratory notebook or a formal report write-up (10%).
    All submitted work will be returned with feedback within 2 weeks of submission.

    b. You will be supplied with a laboratory notebook and detailed instructions on its use. The notebooks will be checked at intervals during the course and assessed in weeks 12 or 13 (5%). The marks awarded for the laboratory notebook will be added to those for the practical assessments.

    c. An online test (7.5%) will be held during the first lecture period in week 3. The test will comprise questions covering the biochemical calculations and basic practical skills encountered in weeks 1 and 2.

    Online quizzes (7.5%)
    During the semester, weekly online quizzes will be set from within MyUni/Assessments. Each quiz will contain between 5-10 questions, which will comprise a number of formats including but not limited to multiple choice, missing words, ordering
    and calculations. Quizzes will normally be available immediately after the lecture until midnight (to test recall) and then again 24 hours after the lecture (to test understanding and improve retention)

    Thequizzes are intended to provide each student with a brief assessment of their knowledge of topics covered in recent and past lectures and tutorials. Each quiz may be attempted only once; you will receive full answers upon completion of the quiz.

    Tutorial assessments (5%):
    Tutorial classes will be held in weeks 1 or 2, 3 or 4, 5 or 6, 7 or 8, 9 or 10. You will attend tutorials in the weeks when you are not scheduled for practical classes. The tutorial classes will comprise two one-hour sessions. In the first of these ('reinforcement tutorials') you will be required to provide answers to questions, provided through MyUni a week before your class, based on material covered in the relevant earlier lectures. Full details will be provided in week 1 or 2 as appropriate. The second session ('extension tutorials') will seek to guide you to an in-depth understanding of the topic, through a series of short class-based discussion questions designed to extend the knowledge gained in the lectures.

    Big Bang Biochem (15%):
    Students work online in pairs, they are allocated a topic and present via zoom in 3 min thesis style.
     
    Summative (examination-based) Assessment - details:

    Final Exam (50%):
    The final examination in the Semester 1 exam period will consist of a 3-hour paper, containing questions derived from lectures delivered in weeks1-12 and the associated tutorials. All questions must be answered.

    Submission

    Late submission of assessments

    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 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 or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.

    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.

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