Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit is designed specifically for podiatry students and introduces you to the study of biochemistry, along with anatomy and physiology. Being an introductory unit, it provides you with the knowledge required for the proper understanding of the functioning of the human body and its organ systems in health and disease, as a preparation for their clinical studies.

Aims

The aim of the unit is to develop an understanding of the structure and function of biological molecules and metabolic processes.

Objectives

On completion of the unit, you should:

1. Understand the structure and function of the major classes of biochemical compounds.
2. Understand the metabolism of organs and tissues in normal and pathological situations.
3. Appreciate the relationships between major cellular processes and the biochemical processes which underlie them.

Content

This content of this unit includes:
· Characteristics of biochemical molecules and systems: water as a solvent, polar and non-polar solutes in cells, monomers and polymers in biochemistry.
· Protein structure: amino acids as monomeric units of a polymer, determinants of the structure of protein polymers, fibrous proteins: alpha-helix, _-sheet, collagen structure and function, globular protein structure and function.
· Structure and action of enzymes: enzyme properties, basic kinetics and mechanisms of catalysis.
· Simple and complex carbohydrates: monosaccharides as metabolic units and monomers, disaccharides as energy transfer material, polysaccharides in structure, energy storage and cell recognition systems.
· Structure and properties of lipids and membranes: structure and function of simple, compound and isoprenoid lipids, the lipid bilayer and membrane function.
· Energy in biochemistry and its usage: high energy molecules and energy transformation, mitochondrial function: citric acid cycle and electron transport
· Molecular genetic basis of disease: inheritance of diseases and underlying genetic basis of disease
· Glycolysis and glycogen metabolism: cellular uptake, storage and utilization of glucose, glucose generation from other sources, metabolic and hormonal regulation of glucose metabolism.
· Lipid metabolism and its control: digestion, transport and storage of fat in the body, metabolism of fatty acids and its control.
· Amino acid metabolism and metabolic integration: nitrogen fixation and elimination from organic compounds, essential and non-essential amino acids, interconversion with other metabolites, and urea production.
· Nucleic acid function and protein synthesis: nucleic acid structure, DNA replication, transcription and translation into RNA and protein, induction and repression, mutagenesis and DNA repair mechanisms.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

The unit is presented in three parts:

A 26 hour course of formal lectures covering the material specified in the content above.

A 24 hour tutorial course, reinforced by a library reading programme and Web-based material, extending the theory component into specific aspects of human biochemistry in health and disease.

Two one-hour tutorials reviewing the lecture and practical components, preparing you for assessment.

Assessment

Verbal and Written feedback will be provided on all assessment and consultation is available on request.

Assessment name: Quiz/Test
Description: 3 tutorial problem sheets; short answer; formative and summative.
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
Weight: 25%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: 3 tutorial assignment sheets; formative and summative.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: End-semester multiple choice theory examination; summative.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2 and 3
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Texts:

1. Biochemistry for Health Professionals Batmanian, Ridge, Worrall, Elsevier

References:

You will be advised of suitable material throughout the course.

Risk assessment statement

There is no practical in this units, so there is not health and safety requirements for this unit other than the normal requirements. You are referred to the university's health and safety web site http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/index.jsp for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 08-Oct-2012