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Faculty of Science

 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology


Table of Contents

1. Biological science streams, suggested subjects
    1.1. 100-level subjects
    1.2. 200-level subjects
    1.3. 300-level subjects
2. Macromolecular biophysics and bioinformatics stream
3. Biotechnology
4. Bachelor of Science (Honours)

Subject Lists
    200-level subjects
    300-level subjects


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 and molecular biology is also an important requirement for the training of specialist scientists in a broad range of biological fields. Consequently, biochemistry and molecular biology 521-211 and 521-212; and 521-220 have become central subjects in the BSc courses for many students seeking careers as 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, also include biochemistry and molecular biology subjects in their studies. The combination of chemistry with biochemistry and molecular biology 521-211 and 521-212 is a particularly useful one; for students wishing to specialise in the field of macromolecular biophysics and bioinformatics, biochemistry and molecular biology 521-203 and 521-307, will be of special interest.

 1. Biological science streams, suggested subjects

For students in the biological science streams planning to include biochemistry and molecular biology subjects in their studies:

 1.1. 100-level subjects

 1.2. 200-level subjects

Students intending to proceed to 300-level biochemistry and molecular biology should take biochemistry and molecular biology 521-211 plus 521-212 and 521-220 (or in special circumstances biochemistry and molecular biology 521-024 or 521-203). The most useful combinations of subjects from other disciplines with biochemistry and molecular biology are set out in Suggested 200-level subjects. Students 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 only one 200-level chemistry subject, it should be 610-260.

 Table 23: Suggested 200-level subjects

Anatomy and cell biology  

516-201, 516-202, 516-204, 516-207  

Botany  

606-201, 606-202, 606-204  

Cell Biology  

606-206  

Chemistry  

610-210, 610-220, 610-240, 610-260  

Genetics  

652-214, 652-215, 652-216  

Microbiology and immunology  

526-201, 526-205  

Pathology  

531-201  

Pharmacology  

534-201  

Physiology  

536-201, 536-202, 536-203, 536-211  

Zoology  

654-201, 654-202, 654-204  

 1.3. 300-level subjects

Students intending to specialise in biochemistry and molecular biology should enrol in at least three of the seven lecture subjects and in one or both of the practical subjects 521-321 and 521-322.

Note that students undertaking more than one 300-level practical subject must have passed 521-220, or both 521-221 and 521-222 (before 2001).

Combinations of biochemistry and molecular biology lecture subjects appropriate to a second major study at the 300-level in either discipline are listed in Suggested 300-level subjects.

 Table 24: Suggested 300-level subjects

Anatomy and cell biology  

516-301, 516-303, 516-304, 516-305  

Botany  

606-301, 606-302, 606-303,  

Chemistry  

610-310, 610-320, 610-330, 610-360  

Genetics  

652-301, 652-302, 652-303, 652-304, 652-305, 652-306  

Microbiology and immunology  

526-301, 526-302  

Pathology  

531-301, 531-302, 531-303, 531-304, 531-305  

Pharmacology  

534-301, 534-302, 534-303, 534-304, 534-305  

Physiology  

536-301, 536-303, 536-304  

Zoology  

654-301, 654-302, 654-303, 654-304, 654-305  

Students wishing to proceed to BSc Honours in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology should normally undertake at least 50 points of biochemistry and molecular biology at 300-level. Students wishing to proceed to a combined BSc Honours course in chemistry and biochemistry and molecular biology should seek advice from the individual departments on undergraduate course selections.

 2. Macromolecular biophysics and bioinformatics stream

A macromolecular biophysics and bioinformatics stream has recently been established within the BSc degree, commencing at 200-level. The key introductory subject is the biochemistry and molecular biology subject 521-203 Macromolecular Structure &Bioinformatics (formerly named Macromolecular Structure and Computational Molecular Biology). This subject has been designed for students with a background in the physical sciences 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 macromolecules and related areas of bioinformatics; the investigation of the molecular dynamics of proteins and protein-protein, protein nucleic acid and protein-ligand interactions (e.g. pharmacological drug-protein receptor interactions); protein folding and the design and engineering of new protein structures. The 200-level subject leads to the 300-level biochemistry and molecular biology subject 521-307 3D-Macromolecular Structure and Dynamics (formerly named Three Dimensional Structure and Conformational Dynamics of Biological Macromolecules) introduced for the first time in 1997. This subject has a co-requisite for the 300-level subject, 521-301 Protein Structure, Design & Engineering. It is recommended that a selection of appropriate chemistry and physics and, where appropriate, mathematics subjects, should be taken in combination with 521-203, 521-301 and 521-307 for those students intending to specialise in the field of macromolecular biophysics. For students with the appropriate background in 200-level biochemistry, consideration should also be given to combining 521-307 with the subjects 521-302, 521-321 and 521-322. This combination will provide training in (i) the theoretical and practical aspects of recombinant DNA technology, protein expression and purification necessary for the preparation of many proteins for biophysical analyses, as well as, (ii) bioinformatics relating to the analysis of linear amino acid and nucleic acid sequences.

 3. Biotechnology

The 300-level biochemistry and molecular biology lecture subjects 521-301, 521-302, 521-303, 521-306 and 521-307 are of particular relevance to those intending to pursue a career in the biotechnology field. Both practical subjects 521-321 and 521-322 are relevant, depending on the areas of specific interest. Students interested in subjects that emphasise biochemical aspects of biotechnology should consult the Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology entry in the Postgraduate Handbook and seek further advice from the Department.

 4. Bachelor of Science (Honours)

For information about the faculty and departmental entry requirements for honours, please refer to Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor of Information Systems (Honours). These requirements should be considered when planning your course.

200-level subjects

521-203 Macromolecular Structure &Bioinformatics
521-204 Biochemistry and the Eye
521-211 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part A
521-212 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Part B
521-213 Integrated Biomedical Science I
521-220 Techniques in Protein & Gene Technology
521-221 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Lab PtA

300-level subjects

521-301 Protein Structure, Design & Engineering
521-302 Functional Genomics
521-303 Molecular Aspects of Cell Biology
521-304 Hormone & Neurotransmitter Biochemistry
521-305 Biochemistry of Metabolism & Nutrition
521-306 Plant Biochemistry & Biotechnology
521-307 3D-Macromolecular Structure and Dynamics
521-308 Genome Science
521-321 Gene Technology & Protein Expression
521-322 Protein Biochemistry and Proteomics



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