This subject requires on campus attendance. Refer to Additional Requirements for more information.
Biological Chemistry
UndergraduateRMI-SCB2102024
Course information for 2024 intake
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
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- Part of a degree
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Biological Chemistry
About this subject
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
- Biomolecules
- Enzymes
- Metabolism
- Biochemical techniques
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.
- Formative Quiz (15%)
- Pre-Lab Assessment (10%)
- Prac reports (40%)
- Analysis of course concepts (35%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
One of Australia's largest dual-sector institutes, 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 96,000 students study with RMIT, and many of their degrees are available through Open Universities Australia.
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- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 10
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- 16
Entry requirements
To enrol in this subject, you must be admitted into a degree.
Prior study
To help set you up for success before you start this subject, we suggest completing or having equivalent knowledge in:
RMI-SCB110-Cell Structure and Function (no longer available)
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 - Includes two full days of mandatory laboratory exercises at RMIT University, Melbourne Mandatory lab practicals are scheduled to run for this subject at the RMIT City Campus (Melbourne, Australia). SP1: 4 April - 5 April (2 full days from 9 am - 4 pm)
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.