Fundamentals of Biochemistry (11733.1)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Fundamentals of Biochemistry
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Science Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit introduces the structure and function of biochemical molecules, intercellular communication, and the flow of genetic information. As part of this unit, students will gain a greater understanding of the four major classes of macromolecules found in the body (carbohydrates, proteins, fats/lipids and nucleic acids). They will learn how the polymeric structure of each macromolecule is formed from their simplest monomeric subunits and examine the chemical groups that make each macromolecule functionally different. This unit is co-taught with Fundamentals of Biochemistry G.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Differentiate between major classes of biological molecules';
2. Correlate specific aspects of protein structure with function;
3. Examine and analyse variety of enzyme catalytic mechanisms;
4. Integrate and apply knowledge of the processes and regulation of DNA expression and replication; and
5. Collect experimental data and apply biochemical principles to the quantification and interpretation of this data.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Prerequisites

Must have passed 11724 Chemical Concepts or 1517 Chemistry 1b AND
Must have passed 11722 Biological Concepts or 483 Concepts in Biology OR 11768 Chemical Foundations or 1516 Chemistry 1a.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

6530 Biochemistry

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Regan Ashby
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Regan Ashby
Not available

Required texts

Textbook

Nelson DL and Cox MM (2021), Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 8th ed. Publisher: W. H. Freeman and Company, Macmillan International, New York. Available from the library (for loan).

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Your Lab Exercises and Laboratory Report must be uploaded and submitted through Canvas. Theory Exam 1 and Theory Exam 2 will be completed and submitted in-class.

 

Special assessment requirements

Late submission of assignments

Late submission of assignments without an approved extension will result in a penalty of 10% reduced marks from the total available, per calendar day late. An assignment submitted over 3 days late will not be accepted. In extenuating circumstances a late submission may be considered upon the production of supporting documentation and at the discretion of the unit convener. 

Responsibility for understanding

If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignment or assessment procedure, the onus for clarifying the issue rests with the student who should contact the unit Convener or tutor. Further, it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they are correctly enrolled in the unit and that the tutor and Student Administration have their correct contact details.

Deferred Exams

Provisions will be made for students who are unable to sit a theory exam and produce appropriate medical certificates or other documentation. In the event a student misses Theory Exam 1 or Theory Exam 2 due to illness or other exceptional circumstances (refer to eligibility criteria), the student must contact the unit convener and request a deferred exam within 3 days of the scheduled exam. The request must be made in writing (by email). Students must provide a medical certificate or other relevant documents as requested by the unit convener before sitting the deferred examination. Failure to do so will result in a fail. If their request is approved, students will be allowed to sit a deferred exam at a later date (as chosen by the unit convener).

 

The final mark for this subject will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. To achieve a passing grade or higher in this subject, students must:

  • The attainment and demonstration of the laboratory skills covered in this unit is a compulsory requirement. To achieve this, students must participate in a minimum of five of the six laboratory classes.
  • Achieve a final aggregate mark of 50% or higher.

The unit convener reserves the right to question students orally on any of their submitted work.

Your final aggregate mark, out of 100, is calculated based on the sum of all marks across each assessment item:

  1. Laboratory exercise 1         = 15%
  2. Theory exam 1                    = 25%
  3. Laboratory report                 = 20%
  4. Laboratory exercise 2         = 15%
  5. Theory exam 2                    = 25%  
  6. Total                                     = 100%

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

The contact hours for each student consists of 20 hours of lectures (10 x 2 hrs), 21 hours of laboratory tutes/classes (7 x 3 hrs) and 20 hours of tutorial classes (10 x 2 hrs). The remaining 89 hours of workload should be distributed across the various assessment tasks.

Participation requirements

Participation in a minimum of 5 out of the 6 laboratory classes is a compulsory condition of this unit, and attendance will be recorded. In the event that you cannot attend your assigned laboratory class due to illness or unavoidable commitments, contact the Unit Convener as soon as possible to negotiate an alternate lab class (if available).   

Required IT skills

Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel software.

In-unit costs

Besides the potential need to purchase the Laboratory Manual, there are no specific costs associated with this unit.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Requirements and instructions for safe conduct in laboratory classes can be found at the start of the Laboratory Manual. Please familiarise yourself with these instructions before attending your first class. As part of these instructions, ensure that you have enclosed footwear, a laboratory coat and safety glasses, and long hair must always be tied back. No food or drink may be consumed in the laboratories and all possessions (e.g. mobile phones and electronic tablets) not required for undertaking your laboratory work must remain in the lockers provided outside the laboratory rooms.

Potentially hazardous materials will be used as part of this unit.  Risk assessments have been performed and control measures implemented to manage hazards and risks.  Students have an obligation to comply with any safety directions issued by staff and to inform staff if an incident of a potentially hazardous nature occurs.  With respect to chemicals, staff will provide students with access to Material Safety Data Sheets.

If you feel unwell in any way please inform your tutor and leave the laboratory immediately.