Fundamentals of Biochemistry (11733.1)

Required texts

Nelson DL and Cox MM (2021), Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 8^th ed. Worth Publishers, New York. Available from the library (for loan) or for purchase at The School Locker (see link below).

Link to The School Locker

Link to Library Unit Resources

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Special assessment requirements

Late submission of assignments

Late submission of assignments without an approved extension will result in a penalty of 5% reduced marks from the total available, per calendar day late. An assignment submitted over 7 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 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).

In the event a student misses Theory Exam 2 (held during the examination period) due to illness or exceptional circumstances, the procedures outlined on the examination and results subsection on canberra.edu.au must be followed (including submitting the online deferred application form within 3 days of the scheduled exam to the Examinations Office).

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:

• Attempt all assessment items;
• Participate in all laboratory sessions
• Achieve a combined theory exam 1 and theory exam 2 mark of 45% or greater; and
• 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                    = 20%
3. Laboratory report                 = 20%
4. Laboratory exercise 2         = 15%
5. Theory exam 2                    = 30%  
6. Total                                     = 100%

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Learner engagement

The contact hours for each student consists of 20 hours of lectures (10 x 2 hrs), 21 hours of laboratory 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 ALL 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. 

• Semester 1, 2023, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (209108)