Biochemistry

Biochemistry explores the chemical components, reactions, structures and processes that form the foundation for all living matter in order to understand the molecular events that underlie biological processes. These are important in human, animal and plant biology, medicine, agriculture, forensic science and biotechnology. Biochemistry draws on biology, chemistry and physics, providing a key interface between these fields and opens up our understanding of the causes of disease and provides the basis of the development of effective treatments. It interfaces with chemistry, cell biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics and mathematical modelling and has many applications in leading edge research and technology.

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has been ranked as the premier department in its discipline since the inception of Australian Research Council benchmarking of Australian departments in 1998. Our researchers have made strong contributions to the fields of structural biology, molecular cell biology, infection and immunity, cancer biology and metabolic diseases, among others. Student experiences, while undertaking Biochemistry at Monash, reflect that they are taught by leading researchers and educators, and receive up-to-date expertise enabling them to have the knowledge and skills for further study, research training and productive employment.

Biochemists find employment in many areas including national and international university or research institute laboratories, hospitals and diagnostic laboratories and the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food manufacturing industries, as well as media communications and publishing, and government departments and agencies.

Availability

Biochemistry is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science, S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) and S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) at Clayton as a major, extended major or minor.

The biochemistry minor, major and extended major are not available in the double degree course S2007 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major and extended major will be able to:

• demonstrate broad knowledge of the biomolecules, machinery and information flow within living cells, and an appreciation of how these underpin all biological processes, in both normal and diseased states
• demonstrate knowledge in specialist areas of biochemistry including: metabolic regulation, proteins and structural biology, bioinformatics, advanced molecular biology, signal transduction, cell organisation and the roles of organelles, and demonstrate the role of biochemistry in health and diseases such as cancer
• demonstrate proficient technical skills in core biochemical laboratory techniques, and explain and interpret the principles and applications of these methods within the molecular biosciences and associated professional and social responsibilities.