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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Science : Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Faculty of Science

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

A specialisation 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 521-211/212 and 521-221/222 have become central subjects in the training of many botanists, geneticists, histologists, microbiologists, pharmacologists, pathologists, physiologists and zoologists. In addition, students specialising 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 521-211/212 is a particularly useful one, and for students wishing to specialise in the field of biophysics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-203 and 521-307, will be of special interest.


Biological Science streams, suggested subjects

For students in the biological science streams planning to include Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in their studies:


100-level subjects


200-level subjects

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-211/212 and 521-221/222 (students with the required prerequisites may also wish to take 521-203) is normally undertaken with a full sub-major enrolment in another science subject at the 200-level. This allows a choice of two major study areas at third year, or a joint major; in some instances there may be a choice of three areas which can be pursued at third year level. Subjects commonly combined with Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at 200-level are shown in Suggested 200-level subjects.

These combinations are usually taken with a selection of adjunct studies in subjects which are also drawn from these areas, to a total of 100 points.

Students intending to proceed to 300-level Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are required to take Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-211 /212 and 521-221/222 (or in special circumstances Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 521-024 or 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.

Suggested 200-level subjects

Chemistry

610-210/211, 220/221, 240/241, 260

Genetics

652-204, 205

Microbiology

526-201, 202

Physiology

536-201, 202, 203, 211

Pharmacology

534-201, 202

Anatomy and Cell Biology

510-201, 202, 204, 207

Botany

606-201, 202, 204

Cell Biology

606-206 and 606-215

Zoology

654-201, 202, 204, 205


300-level subjects

Students intending to specialise in 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.

Students wishing to take more than two of the lecture subjects are required to take at least one practical subject.

The number of students admitted to all three practical subjects will be limited.

Certain prerequisites may be waived by the Head of the Department.

Combinations of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology lecture subjects appropriate to a second specialisation at the 300-level in the following disciplines are:

Suggested 300-level subjects

Anatomy and Cell Biology

521-301, 303, 304, 305

Botany

521-301, 302, 303, 306

Chemistry

521-301, 302, 303, 306

Genetics

521-301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306

Microbiology

521-301, 302, 303

Pathology

521-301, 303, 304, 305

Pharmacology

521-301, 302, 303, 304, 305

Physiology

521-301, 303, 304, 305

Zoology

521-301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306

Students wishing to proceed to graduate work in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology should undertake a major study of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at 300-level.


Biophysics

A new biophysics stream was introduced at the 200-level in 1996. A key introductory subject is the new Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 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 (e.g. pharmacological drug-protein receptor) interactions; protein folding and the design and engineering of new protein structures. The 200-level subject leads 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. Students planning to take these two subjects should note that a co-requisite for the new 300-level subject, 521-307, 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.


Biotechnology

The 300-level Biochemistry and Molecular Biology lecture subjects 521-301, 302, 303 and 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 for suggested subjects (see also Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology entry in the Postgraduate Handbook).


Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Please refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours)

200-level subjects

521-203 Macromolecular Structure and Computational Molecular Biology
521-211 Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Part A
521-212 Principles of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Part B
521-221 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory: Part A
521-222 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory: Part B

300-level subjects

521-301 Protein Structure, Design and Engineering
521-302 Gene Structure and Expression
521-303 Molecular Aspects of Biomembranes and Cell Biology
521-304 Molecular Basis of Hormone Action and Neuro-Transmission
521-305 Biochemistry of Mammalian Metabolism and Nutrition
521-306 Plant Biochemistry: Molecular Mechanisms and Regulation
521-307 Three Dimensional Structure and Conformational Dynamics of Biological Macromolecules
521-321 Advanced Techniques in General Biochemistry
521-322 Advanced Techniques in Protein Biochemistry
521-323 Advanced Gene Technology


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Handbook 1997 : Faculty of Science : Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Status:                   OFFICIAL 1997
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Copyright © University of Melbourne 1997.