Unit details (Course and Unit Handbook 2002)
1
Biochemistry 2 (Medicine)
Enrolment code: CBA200
Offered: Hbt, sem 1&2
Special note: restricted to students enrolled in Medicine; taught by Discipline
of Biochemistry
Unit description: Gives medical students a thorough knowledge of the
following core areas of biochemistry and molecular biology: (a) structure and
function of important biological macromolecules, such as nucleic acids and
proteins; (b) structure, function and metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates
and lipids; (c) the integration and control of metabolism, by hormonal and other
means; (d) nutrition – energy, macro- and micro-nutrients, dietary guidelines;
(e) metabolic and genetic basis of disease states.
Staff: Dr SM Richards, Dr JD Sallis, Dr AK West, Dr DR Woodward
(Coordinator)
Unit weight: 25%
Teaching: up to 7 hrs class contact weekly (2 to 3 lectures weekly; a tutorial per
fortnight focusing on integrative problems; 3 to 4 hrs of self-directed
learning projects fortnightly)
Prereq: 1st year Medicine
Coreq: CHG210, CJA212, CAM205
Assess: 3-hr written paper at end of sem 1; 3-hr written paper and a 10-min
viva voce at end of sem 2; self-directed learning projects will also be
assessed
Required texts, etc:
either Meisenberg G and Simmons WH, Principles of Medical
Biochemistry, Mosby, St Louis, 1998, ISBN 0815144105
or Nelson DL and Cox MM, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 3rd edn,
Worth, NY, 2000, ISBN 1572599316
Recommended reading:
Alberts B, Bray D, Johnson S, et al, Essential Cell Biology: An Introduction to
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland, NY, 1998, ISBN 0815329717
Brownie AC and Kernohan JC, Biochemistry: A Core Text with
Self-Assessment, Churchill Livingstone, Edin, 1999, ISBN 0443056935
Garrow JS, James WPT and Ralph A, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 10th edn,
Churchill Livingstone, Edin, 2000, ISBN 0443056277
Marks DB, Marks AD and Smith CM, Basic Medical Biochemistry: A Clinical
Approach, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1996, ISBN 0683230107
Stryer L, Biochemistry, 4th edn, Freeman, NY, 1995, ISBN 0716720094
Courses:
M3A M3B M4B
Unit details (Course and Unit Handbook 2002)
2
Biochemistry (Pharmacy)
Enrolment code: CBA220
Offered: Hbt, sem 1&2
Unit description: Gives pharmacy students a thorough background in the
following core areas of biochemistry and molecular biology: (a) structure and
function of important biological macromolecules, such as nucleic acids and
proteins; (b) structure, function and metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates
and lipids; (c) the integration and control of metabolism, by hormonal and other
means; (d) nutrition – energy, macro- and micro-nutrients, dietary guidelines;
(e) metabolic and genetic basis of disease states.
Staff: Dr SM Richards, Dr JD Sallis, Dr AK West, Dr DR Woodward
(Coordinator)
Unit weight: 12.5%
Teaching: 64 lectures, fortnightly tutorials
Prereq: KRA160, CHG101
Assess: 3-hr written paper at end of sem 1, 2-hr written paper at end of sem 2
Required texts, etc:
either Meisenberg G and Simmons WH, Principles of Medical
Biochemistry, Mosby, St Louis, 1998, ISBN 0815144105
or Nelson DL and Cox MM, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 3rd edn,
Worth, NY, 2000, ISBN 1572599316
Recommended reading:
Alberts B, Bray D, Johnson S, et al, Essential Cell Biology: An Introduction to
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland, NY, 1998, ISBN 0815329717
Brownie AC and Kernohan JC, Biochemistry: A Core Text with
Self-Assessment, Churchill Livingstone, Edin, 1999, ISBN 0443056935
Garrow JS, James WPT and Ralph A, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 10th edn,
Church livingstone, Edin, 2000, ISBN 0443056277
Marks DB, Marks AD and Smith CM, Basic Medical Biochemistry: A Clinical
Approach, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1996, ISBN 0683230107
Stryer L, Biochemistry, 4th edn, Freeman, NY, 1995, ISBN 0716720094
Courses:
M3F
Biochemistry (Agriculture)
Enrolment code: CBA235
Offered: Hbt, sem 1
Special note: restricted to Agricultural Science students; taught by Discipline
of Biochemistry
Unit details (Course and Unit Handbook 2002)
3
Unit description: Gives agricultural science students an introduction to the
following core areas of biochemistry and molecular biology: (a) structure and
function of important biological macromolecules, such as nucleic acids and
proteins; (b) structure, function and metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates
and lipids; (c) the integration and control of metabolism, by hormonal and other
means.
Staff: Dr SM Richards, Dr JD Sallis, Dr DR Woodward (Coordinator)
Unit weight: 12.5%
Teaching: 3 lectures weekly, 1 tutorial fortnightly
Prereq: KRA120 and KPZ120
Mutual excl: may not be included in BAgSc with CBA230
Assess: 3-hr written paper at end of sem 1
Required texts, etc:
either Brownie AC and Kernohan JC, Biochemistry: A Core Text with
Self-Assessment, Churchill Livingstone, Edin, 1999, ISBN 0443056935
or Nelson DL and Cox MM, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 3rd edn,
Worth, NY, 2000, ISBN 1572599316
Recommended reading:
Alberts B, Bray D, Johnson S, et al, Essential Cell Biology: An Introduction to
Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland, NY, 1998, ISBN 0815329717
Campbell MK, Biochemistry, 3rd edn, Saunders, Philadelphia, 1999, ISBN
0030244269
Hanes BD and Hooper NM, Instant Notes Biochemistry, 2nd edn, Biox, Oxf,
2000, ISBN 1859961428
Stryer L, Biochemistry, 4th edn, Freeman, NY, 1995, ISBN 0716720094
Courses:
S3A
Biochemistry and Microbiology 2
Enrolment code: CBA250
Offered: Hbt, sem 1&2
Special note: restricted to students enrolled in Science
Unit description: Provides students with an introduction to the disciplines of
biochemistry [75% of the unit] and microbiology [25% of the unit], by means of
lectures, practicals and tutorials. The biochemistry component covers molecular
biology, metabolism and its regulation, and nutrition. Core topics covered are:
(a) structure and function of important biological macromolecules, such as
nucleic acids and proteins; (b) structure, function and metabolism of amino
acids, carbohydrates and lipids; (c) the integration and control of metabolism,
by hormonal and other means; (d) nutrition – energy, macro- and
Unit details (Course and Unit Handbook 2002)
4
micro-nutrients, dietary guidelines; (e) metabolic and genetic basis of disease
states. The microbiology component covers: (f) history and significance of
microbiology; (g) bacterial structure and function; (h) genetics and systematics;
(i) virology; (j) factors affecting microbial growth and death; (k) immunology
and epidemiology.
Staff: [Biochemistry, staff of Discipline of Biochemistry] Dr SM Richards, Dr JD
Sallis, Dr AK West, Dr DR Woodward (Coordinator); [Microbiology, staff
of School of Agricultural Science], Prof TA McMeekin, Dr MA Line.
Unit weight: 33.33%
Teaching: 78 hrs lectures, 78 hrs lab work, 13 hrs tutorials; comprising:
[Biochemistry] 65 lectures, 13x3-hr practical sessions, 13 tutorials;
[Microbiology] 13 lectures, 13x3-hr practical sessions.
Prereq: (KRA110 Chemistry 1A or KRA130 Chemistry 1B or KRA111
Chemistry 1C) and one of (KZA150 Zoology 1G, KPA150 Botany 1G,
CHG100 Human Biology (Science)) Students whose career aspirations are
in the bio-medical area are recommended to include both KZA150
and CHG100; students whose career aspirations are in the life sciences
area are recommended to include both KZA150 and KPA151 (note:
students may not include both KZA150 and KPA150)
Mutual excl: this unit may NOT be included in BSc with CBA211 or KLA210.
Assess: [Biochemistry,] 3-hr written paper at end of sem 1, and 2-hr written
paper at end of sem 2; [Microbiology] 2-hr written paper and a practical
exam at end of sem 2. Overall, the Biochemistry component comprises 75%
of the marks, and the Microbiology component 25%
Required texts, etc:
either Nelson DL and Cox MM, Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 3rd edn,
Worth, NY, 2000, ISBN 1572599316
or Brownie AC and Kernohan JC, Biochemistry: A Core Text with
Self-Assessment, Churchill Livingstone, Edin, 1999, ISBN 0443056935
Recommended reading:
Alberts B, Bray D, Johnson S, et al, Essential Cell Biology: An Introduction to
Molecular Biology of the Cell, ISBN 0815329717
Campbell MK, Biochemistry, 3rd edn, Saunders, Philadelphia, 1999, ISBN
0030244269
Madigan MT, Martinko JM, Parker J, Brock’s Biology of Microorganisms, 9th edn,
Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2000.
Stryer L, Biochemistry, 4th edn, Freeman, NY, 1995, ISBN 0716720094
Wahlqvist ML, Food and Nutrition: Australia Asia and the Pacific, allen & Unwin,
St Leonards, 1997, ISBN 1864482206
Courses:
S3G S3GD1 S3GD2
Molecular Biochemistry: Techniques and Theory
Enrolment code: CBA327
Unit details (Course and Unit Handbook 2002)
5
Offered: Hbt, sem 1&2
Unit description: Provides students with (i) an understanding and application
of contemporary techniques in protein biochemistry and molecular biology and
(ii) an understanding of contemporary developments in the areas of
biochemistry relating to hormones, signal transduction and molecular biology,
particularly regulation of gene expression, cell division and development.
Lectures cover: techniques in protein biochemistry and molecular biology
including isolation of organelles and membrane proteins; measurement of
membrane transport processes; isolation and purification of proteins and
enzymes; determination of kinetic constants of enzymes; isolation of nucleic
acids (DNA and RNA) from cells; in vitro manipulation of nucleic acids;
detection of sequences of defined composition and reintroduction of genes into
bacterial and eukaryotic cells; transformation, transfection, transgenic animals,
control of gene expression; mechanisms of free radical action in cells and its
consequences; mammalian cloning by nuclear transfer; the cell cycle and its
regulatory pathways; hormonal control systems; adrenergic control systems;
insulin and insulin-like growth factors; receptors; phosphoinositol turnover and
control of intracellular calcium; protein kinases; phosphoprotein phosphatases;
covalent modification. Practicals emphasise ‘hands-on’ experience with
contemporary biochemical techniques. The unit features a 10-week research
project in the second semester.
Staff: Prof MG Clark, Dr AK West
Unit weight: 50%
Teaching: 3 lectures, 1-hr tutorial, 11 hrs practicals weekly
Prereq: CBA250, CBA211 or equiv
Assess: 2-hr written exam in June, 3-hr written exam in Nov, with 30% of final
mark from practical assignments and projects
Required texts, etc:
Rapley R, Walker JM, Molecular Biomethods Handbook, ISBN 0896035018
Recommended reading:
Alberts B, Bray D, Lewis J, Raff M, Roberts K and Watson J, Molecular Biology of
the Cell, ISBN 0815316208
Lewin B, Genes VII, ISBN 0198792778
other appropriate material will be indicated during the year.
Courses: S3G
Biochemistry 4 (BSc Honours)
Enrolment code: CBA410
Offered: Hbt, sem 1&2
Special note: for Science students only
Unit details (Course and Unit Handbook 2002)
6
Unit description: Aims: (a) to provide students with the opportunity to plan,
execute, interpret and analyse purposeful experiments, appropriate to their
research project, and to communicate their results; and to investigate and
present on two areas, unrelated to their own research topic, but representing
important contemporary biochemical research in order to demonstrate their
skills in providing a condensed account of these areas of research and in
communicating their essential features in written and oral form; and (b) to
provide a year’s training in research, in order to give successful students a
competitive edge in seeking employment in biochemical research laboratories.
The unit tests abilities which were largely ignored in the earlier years. Students
who excel in this Honours year are well organised, plan carefully, are intensely
motivated, are innovative thinkers, and express their ideas and findings clearly.
Unit weight: 100%
Prereq: BSc including CBA327 (or CBA323 and CBA324)
Assess: the year’s performance is assessed from the research topic (thesis, 60%;
project seminar, 10%), and 2 assignments (10% for the essay and 10% for the
reading topic seminar presentation), supervisor’s assessment (10%). There are
no written exams or additional lectures, but students are expected to attend
Discipline of Biochemistry seminars and those of their own research group
Courses: S4E