Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science
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A major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is an important requirement for employment in many biomedical, biotechnological and agricultural fields. The acquisition of basic knowledge in Biochemistry is also an important feature of the training of specialist scientists in a broad range of biological fields. Consequently, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-201 and 521-202 have become central subjects in the training of many botanists, geneticists, histologists, microbiologists, pharmacologists, pathologists, physiologists and zoologists. In addition, majors in chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science or chemical engineering with biological interests, include biochemistry in their studies. The combination of chemistry and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-201 is a particularly useful one, and for students wishing to specialise in the field of biophysics, the new Biochemistry and Molecular Biology subject, 521-203, ("Macromolecular Structure and Computational Molecular Biology") will be of special interest.
For students in the biological science streams planning to include Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in their studies:
Students intending to undertake a major study of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology should enrol in at least three of the six lecture subjects and in the practical subjects 521-321 and either 521-322 or 521-323.
The number of students admitted to all three practical subjects will be limited.
Combinations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology lecture subjects appropriate to a second major study at the 300-level in the following disciplines are:
A new biophysics stream will be introduced starting at the 200-level in 1996. A key introductory subject will be the new Biochemistry and Molecular Biology subject offering "Macromolecular Structure and Computational Molecular Biology" (521-203). This subject has been designed for students with a background in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics who are interested in extending the applications of these disciplines in the following areas: protein and nucleic acid structural analyses, computer graphics-based modelling of the three dimensional structures of these polymers; the investigation of the molecular dynamics of proteins and protein-protein, protein nucleic acid and protein-ligand (eg pharmacological drug-protein receptor interactions) interactions; protein folding and the design and engineering of new protein structures. The 200-level subject will lead to a new 300-level Biochemistry and Molecular Biology subject 521-307, "3D Structure and Conformational Dynamics of Biological Macromolecules" to be introduced in 1997 (for subject details contact the Department). Students planning to take these two new subjects should note that a co-requisite for the new 300-level subject, 521-307, foreshadowed for 1997, will be Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-301. It is recommended that a selection of relevant chemistry, physics and mathematics subjects, taken in combination with 521-203, 521-301 and 521-307 should be considered by those students intending to specialise in the field of biophysics.
Admission to fourth-year Honours is normally open to students who have undertaken a major study of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (see above under 300-Level Subjects) and who have obtained Faculty Honours in their 300-level studies. See separate section for Faculty and Departmental requirements.
The 300-level Biochemistry and Molecular Biology lecture subjects 521-301, 521-302, 521-303 and 521-306 are of particular relevance to those intending to pursue a career in the biotechnology field. All practical subjects are relevant, depending on the areas of specific interest. Students interested in subjects that emphasise biotechnology should consult the Faculty of Science Office staff for suggested subjects (see also Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology entry in the Postgraduate Handbook).
Prerequisites for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 200-level subjects: Chemistry 610-120 or 610-140 or, if a mark of 60% or better is obtained,160 or an accredited equivalent. Biology 600-101 is not a prerequisite but is strongly recommended. Students intending to proceed to 300-level Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are required to take Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 201 and 202 (or in special circumstances Biological Chemistry 521-024 or Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-203 ) and are advised that 200-level Chemistry is particularly useful for the study of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. If only two subjects of 200-level Chemistry are to be taken, the preferred subjects are 610-210, 610-260 or 610-220, 610-260. If one 200-level Chemistry subject is to be taken, it should be 610-260.
Prerequisites for the new Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-203 subject (see Biophysical stream): Chemistry 610-121/122 or 610-141/142 and Physics 640-120 or 640-140.
Prerequisites for 521-301, 521-302, 521-303, 521-304 and 521-305: Biochemistry 521-201 and 521-202 or Biological Chemistry 521-024 (Agricultural Science course). In special circumstances, the Head of the Department may permit students who have not taken 521-202 to enrol in 521-304 and/or 521-305. Prerequisite for 521-306: 521-201 or Biological Chemistry 521-024 (Agricultural Science course). 200-level Chemistry is strongly recommended. Students wishing to proceed to graduate work in the Department of Biochemistry should undertake a major study of Biochemistry at 300-level (see above).
Practical subject 521-321 and lecture subject 521-301 are prerequisites for practical subject 521-322. Practical subject 521-321 is a prerequisite and lecture subject 521-302 is a corequisite for practical subject 521-323.
Students wishing to take more than two of the lecture subjects are required to take at least one practical subject.
The special conditions outlined above may be waived by the Head of the Department.
Note: 521-496 and 521-497 must be taken concurrently.
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Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 10 1995 Last modified: Oct 10 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: Faculty of Science
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.