Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

To introduce 2nd year pharmacy students to essential elements of biochemistry. In the process, students will develop their abilities to integrate biochemical information as it relates to both desired and unwanted effects of therapeutics, and appreciate the underlying foundation of biochemistry in the treatment of individual diseases and pathological conditions.

The specific topics that will be addressed are as follows:

• structure and molecular properties of biomolecules
• sugars and complex carbohydrates, lipids and membranes, nucleotides and coenzymes
• information transfer (gene structure and regulation); protein synthesis
• metabolism; catabolic pathways, synthetic pathways, energy production, control of metabolism

Objectives

After completing this unit, students will be able to:

1. To demonstrate their understanding of the basic biochemistry of body constituents by describing (comparing and contrasting) and explaining the structure, function and classification of the major biomolecules and analysing how these can be altered or perturbed in disease states;
2. To demonstrate their understanding of the nature of information transfer and molecular biology methods by describing and explaining aspects of the processes from an enzymatic to biomolecular level and predicting how these can be altered or perturbed in disease states;
3. To demonstrate their understanding of the principle metabolic pathways and the basis of their regulation and connections by describing their roles and differentiating how they are regulated from a hormonal to enzymatic level at the cellular, organ and whole body levels;
4. To demonstrate their understanding of integrated biochemical and physiological functions, pathophysiological and biochemical or genetic perturbations as they affect bodily functions by predicting and differentiating how the metabolic pathways are regulated under normal fed, and fasting conditions and diseased conditions such as diabetes mellitus type 1.

Assessment

on-going assessments: 15%; group assignment: 5%; practical/tutorial work:10%; final examination (2.5 hours): 70%.

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Helen Irving

Contact hours

36 1 hour lectures, five 3 hour practicals or workshops, one 6 hour self-directed computer based assignment and five 1 hour tutorials

Prerequisites

PAC1121 Organic chemistry (or VCP1021 Medicinal chemistry IA)
PAC1142 Chemistry of biomolecules (or VCP1022 Medicinal chemistry IB) PAC1111 Introduction to physiology (or VCP1081 Physiology I)
PAC1132 Systems physiology (or VCP1082 Physiology II)
PAC1211 Physicochemical basis of pharmacy (or VCP1071 Pharmaceutical chemistry A)

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/