Program Overview

Program Overview

The program BCMB3903: Biochemistry of Human Disease (Advanced) is designed to investigate how defects in key cell functions lead to diseases. The molecular causes and biochemical processes underlying cancer, aging, and neurodegeneration will be explored to illustrate the relationships between these processes and how understanding these commonalities is allowing us to solve complex health problems.

Program Description

Diseases are ultimately the result of an imbalance of cellular function. Causes for such dysfunction are diverse and include mutations of our DNA, altered gene expression, and external stimuli such as infection. This unit will investigate how defects in key cell functions, including gene expression, signalling, biomolecular interactions, and metabolic processes, lead to diseases. Associations to other diseases will be integrated into the course to give a broader understanding of how key biochemical processes are linked to a wide range of disorders.

Program Details

• Unit of Study: BCMB3903
• Study Level: Undergraduate
• Academic Unit: Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
• Credit Points: 6

Enrolment Rules

• Prerequisites: An average mark of 75 or above in [12 credit points from (BCHM2X71 or BCHM2X72 or BCMB2X01 or BCMB2X02 or MEDS2003 or MBLG2X01) or [6 credit points from (BCHM2X71 or BCHM2X72 or BCMB2X01 or BCMB2X02 or MEDS2003 or MBLG2X01) and 6 credit points from (AMED3001 or BCHM3XXX or BCMB3XXX or BIOL2X29 or BMED2401 and BMED2405 or GEGE2X01 or MEDS2002 or PCOL2X21 or QBIO2001)] or 12 credit points from (BMED2401 and BMED2405)]
• Corequisites: None
• Prohibitions: BCMB3003 or (BCHM3X72 and BCHM3X82)
• Assumed Knowledge: Protein chemistry and biochemistry concepts at 2000-level units

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

• Describe the components involved in the cell cycle and predict how specific gene mutations will affect the cell cycle and cell proliferation.
• Adapt experimental techniques to address a specific question and analyse aspects of the cell cycle and cell proliferation using biochemical assays.
• Design an experimental plan to study aspects of cell proliferation and cell death, and conduct the experiment.
• Explain the processes involved in protein folding and misfolding and evaluate experimental studies in that area.
• Perform and evaluate biochemical assays to determine protein concentrations in solutions using different approaches.
• Evaluate and communicate experimental data by composing a scientific presentation based on their own experimental results.
• Critically evaluate experimental data.
• Collaborate by working in a small team to solve a scientific problem.
• Obtain and explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative measurements and data.
• Judge validity of data and solve scientific calculations.

Unit Availability

This unit is available in different sessions and locations. The outline for each availability provides information about the unit, including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities. The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. Previous outlines can be viewed for a guide to the details of the unit. The unit is offered in Semester 2 of various years at the Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney campus.