Human Biochemistry (6518.5)

Required texts

Core textbook

1. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry 8th edition (2021) by David L. Nelson; Michael M. Cox.

2. Principles of Medical Biochemistry, 3rd edition, Meisenberg & Simmons 2012

electronic resource available at:   https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/lib/canberra/reader.action?docID=1430297

Required Laboratory Manual:  Zhang, XN, Nelson M, Popham M,  Laboratory Manual for Human Biochemistry 2022 (University of Canberra).  All students must download and print the laboratory manual from the introduction module on Canvas. The Laboratory manual contains all the information regarding laboratory practical sessions and Lab Report.

Optional reading:

Duffy A. et al.,(2007) Guide to writing in allied health courses: writing laboratory reports, essays and seminar reports, preparing for exams and presenting seminars . 2nd ed. University of Canberra. Available from the library (loan).

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Students can apply for an extension to the submission due date for the Laboratory assignment, however, this will not guarantee that the application will be successful.

Late submissions: Students submitting work late will receive a reduction in available marks of 5% per day up to a maximum of seven days.

Special assessment requirements

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

• Attempt mid-semester, final assessment and laboratory assignment;
• Attend and participate in 75% (3 out 4) of the face-to-face laboratory sessions, Lab 3 must be attended;
• Achieve a mark of at least 45% at the end-of-semester final assessment; and
• Achieve a final aggregate mark of 50% or higher.

Please note: group submissions of assessment items, or assessment items containing plagiarised material will not be marked and will receive a mark of zero (0). The unit convener reserves the right to question students orally on any of their submitted work.

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.

Feedback, deferred assessments and responsibility for understanding

Feedback

Feedback on all assessment items will be provided via Virtual Room or Face -to-face in a timely and constructive manner.

Deferred Exams and Quizzes

In the event a student misses the mid-semester test, final assessment, assignment OR quiz due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, the student must contact the unit convener and request a deferred assessment within 3 days of the scheduled exam/assessment/quiz. 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.

Responsibility for understanding

If there is any doubt with regard to the requirements of any particular assignments 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.

Learner engagement

The contact hours for each student consists of 22 hours of lectures (11 lectures), 12 hours of laboratory classes (4 laboratory classes) and 8 hours of tutorials (4 tutorials) totalling 42 hours for this unit. There is another 24 hours of optional face to face drop in session with the unit convener. Remaining hours or workload should be utilized to prepare for lecture/laboratory/tutorials/exam/quizzes and assessments.

Participation requirements

Your participation both in class and online activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation may result in your inability to satisfactorily pass assessment items.

Attendance in 75% (3 out of 4) of Face-to-face practical classes is COMPULSORY to meet the passing criteria in this unit. In addition, attendance of Laboratory 3 is COMPULSORY to pass this unit. Your participation will be recorded electronically by scanning your student ID card during laboratory classes. To avoid any penalties in case of illness, medical or counselling certificates must be presented to the convener in person or electronically within 7 business days of the missed laboratory. You will need a certificate for every laboratory class that you may have missed.

Required IT skills

Basic knowledge of internet browsers, Microsoft Office or a similar program package.

This unit involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

In-unit costs

There are relatively minor costs associated with this unit.

Students are expected to have their 

1. own appropriate safety equipment (laboratory coat and safety glasses) and fully enclosed shoes which are mandatory for laboratory safety

2. scientific calculator for laboratory activities

3. electronic device and appropriate head phone/ear phones for online classes

Students will need to print out their Lab manual at their own cost.  

Work placement, internships or practicums

Not applicable to this unit.

Additional information

"Unforeseen circumstances beyond the unit convener's control could result in changes to the mode of delivery of lectures, tutorials and practicals (where applicable) and assessments. Students will be advised if this occurs and appropriate alternatives will be arranged." 

Foundation of Unit

This unit involves research-led education and/or work-integrated learning. There are active researchers delivering this unit who are able to engage students in deep and active learning and transmit to students their passion for the research they are carrying out. Laboratory Assignment is designed to develop research skills in the student cohort.

Provision of information to the group

Notifications through the UCLearn (Canvas) Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's Canvas website (Canvas announcements are also emailed to student email addresses only). Students should ensure they check their student email regularly. The Canvas discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.

Potential 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 incidents of a potentially hazardous nature occur.  With respect to chemicals, staff will provide students with access to the Safety Data Sheets.

It is essential that students be alerted to the potential danger of chemicals to which they may be sensitive.  For example, if they should experience symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, a dry or sore throat, stinging or burning sensation in their eyes, fatigue or loss of concentration, students must inform their tutor and leave the laboratory immediately.  Students may need to go to the University Health Centre if symptoms persist.

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• Semester 2, 2021, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (202263)
• Semester 2, 2020, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (195745)
• Semester 2, 2019, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (185523)
• Semester 2, 2018, On-Campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (181692)