Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Applied Biochemical Methods

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2301

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

BIOL2301

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

BIOL2322

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2006,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

BIOL2322

Bundoora Campus

Postgraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023

Course Coordinator: A/Prof Terrence Piva

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 6503

Course Coordinator Email: terry.piva@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 220.04.14


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required Prior Study

You should have satisfactorily completed following course/s before you commence this course.

Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate the required skills and knowledge before you start this course.

Contact your course coordinator if you think you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning.


Course Description

This course will examine modern methods and technologies that are used in biochemical analysis with emphasis on instrumentation, underlying principles, aims, strategies and current applications.  The instrumental techniques covered include the separation and purification of molecules from biological samples, functional genomic assays, mass spectrometry, proteomics, chromatography (including gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography), electrophoresis, as well as an introduction to bioinformatics and enzyme kinetics.  Advances in biochemical research have largely depended on parallel advances in the technology of measuring and observing devices. Knowledge of these devices, new instrumentation methods and the basic principles behind analytical and industrial procedures will assist in general understanding of the equipment selection and an appreciation of good quality assurance and research procedures.

The theory learned during the semester will be applied in practical classes where these techniques will be used for the analysis of biochemical samples in a laboratory setting.  The combination of learning activities offered in this course is designed to equip graduates with a range of attributes that will give the student strong potential and ability to work equally well in analytical or research laboratories.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course supports the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP231 Bachelor of Biomedical Science:

  • PLO 2: Exhibit a breadth and depth of scientific knowledge;
  • PLO 3: Critically analyse and solve scientific problems;
  • PLO 5: Demonstrate accountability for your own learning and scientific work


On the successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

  1. Evaluate the methods and techniques used in the separation, purification, analysis and quantification of molecules (nucleic acids and proteins) in biological samples
  2. Apply basic principles that underpin Bioinformatics analyses, and develop the ability to apply these when analysing biological data
  3. Interpret and analyse the biological activity of enzymes
  4. Be able to use different instrumentation in the detection and analysis of biological material in a laboratory setting
  5. Analyse and evaluate experimentally derived data and present those results in the form of a rigorous scientific report.


Overview of Learning Activities

Course materials (recorded lectures and workshops/tutorials) will be delivered predominantly online, while practical classes be delivered in a mixture of face-to-face and online delivery.

Regular revision lectures (Q&A sessions) will provide feedback on your progress and consolidate the understanding of the material taught in the course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Practical Reports
Weighting 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 3, 4 & 5

Assessment Task 2: In Class Timed Short answer Question Assessment
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLO 1

Assessment Task 3: Online Quizzes
Weighting 10%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

Assessment Task 4: Timed End of Semester Online Test
Weighting 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 3

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.