Leader: Dr Helen Irving

Offered

Parkville First semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

Structure and molecular properties of Biomolecules. Receptors, hormones and signalling processes. Metabolism. Catabolic pathways, synthetic pathways, energy production, control of metabolism. Information transfer (gene structure and regulation). Protein sythesis. Molecular biology.

Objectives

Students will develop an:

• Understanding of the basic biochemistry of body constituents including structure, function and classification of the major biomolecules; roles of receptors and hormones; the principle metabolic pathways and the basis of their regulation and connections; the nature of information transfer and molecular biology methods.

• Ability in the areas of observation and measurement of biochemical compounds and processes; assessment and integration of biochemical information as it relates to desired and unwanted effects produced by therapeutic drugs.

• Appreciation of integrated biochemical and physiological functions, pathophysiological and biochemical or genetic perturbations as they affect bodily functions; the underlying foundation of biochemistry in the treatment of individual diseases.

Assessment

Examination: 70% (2 hours), On-going assessments 20%, Practical Work 10%



The examination and on-going assessments will test all three major objectives whereas the practical component will be more focussed on assessing objective number 2.

Contact hours

39 (13 weeks of 3) lectures, 5 tutorials and 6 x 3 hour practical sessions. Successful completion of this unit will require participants to allocate an average of 3-5 hour per week for 13 weeks (a total of 1-2 hours per study period [lecture]).

Prerequisites

All of the following units of VCP1081, VCP1082, VCP1021, VCP1022, VCP1071 and VCP1072.