Warning! This subjects requires on campus attendance. Refer to Special Requirements for more information.

Undergraduate RMI-SCB210-2022

Biological Chemistry

Cultivate skills about structures, properties and functions of cells, tissues and organisms. Study biomolecules, enzyme kinetics, and metabolism. Reveal chemical processes in organisms. Develop technical and biochemical investigation talents

Duration

13 weeks

Study method

Online & on-campus

Available loans

HECS-HELP
FEE-HELP

Assessments

100% online

Prior study

Required

Australia's largest dual-sector institute, offering both TAFE and higher education, RMIT University proudly delivers work-related education and practical research relevant to current business and community needs. More than 60,000 students study with RMIT, and many of their degrees are available through Open Universities Australia.

QS RANKING 2022

Times Higher Education Ranking 2022

2022

Subject details

What you'll learn

On successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

State the key chemical components in different organisms, their key functions, locations and understand how they are synthesised and degraded; recall the key metabolic pathways, the enzymes involved and how they are regulated; apply knowledge to explain how enzymes are integral to the functioning of organic systems
Prepare biological samples for chemical analyses and enzyme assays
Apply common biochemical techniques including centrifugation, chromatography, biochemical assays for analysing different biological samples and discuss experimental results using tables, plots, and interpret them using knowledge acquired through lectures, tutorials and private study
Adhere to protocols and procedures, take appropriate precautions to ensure laboratory processes are followed with regard to environmental, occupational health and safety, and ethical standards and regulations
Work independently and in teams in the laboratory and in tutorial-based exercises through practical classes and observations

Topics covered

- Biomolecules
- Enzymes
- Metabolism
- Biochemical techniques

Entry requirements

You are recommended to have completed the following subjects(s) or have equivalent knowledge before starting this subject:

Others

This course assumes the prior knowledge and understanding of cells and their functions at first year university level, as obtained in Cell Structure & Function or an equivalent course, or evidence of equivalent capabilities.

Additional requirements

Attendance requirements - Biological Chemistry (SP2) will be done online only.

Description

This course will provide you with an in-depth knowledge and practical skills on the structural and functional components of cells, tissues and organisms (at undergraduate year level 2). It provides a study of the chemical processes taking place in organisms and the technical skills needed to investigate these processes. It introduces key concepts of biological chemistry and relates them to cell physiology, with an emphasis on structure-function relationships.

The course aims to develop your knowledge of different aspects of biochemistry through lectures, and the application of skills and knowledge is demonstrated in practical sessions, which help develop the employability skills required in biochemical analysis in a range of industries.

The course also develops skills related to the critical assessment of scientific data and the presentation of scientific results used in all disciplines within the sciences.

Assessments

Formative Quiz (15%)
Pre-Lab Assessment (10%)
Prac reports (40%)
Analysis of course concepts (35%)

Textbooks

Current study term: 29 May 22 to 28 Aug 22

Check the learning management system (LMS) of your university for textbook details.

Related degrees

Undergraduate RMI-SCI-DEG-2022

Bachelor of Science Applied Sciences