School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
  • Unit Code

    SCI2112
  • Year

    2025
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    4
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Quinton BURNHAM

Description

Genomics, proteomics and metabolomics are providing insights into the way living organisms function at an ever increasing level of detail. Students will develop an understanding of the "-omics" through exploring the genetic and metabolic processes common to all life as well as specialised processes that enable living organisms to function, survive and reproduce.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass SCI1183

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Discuss current theory and practice in molecular biology and biochemistry.
  2. Analyse, interpret and present results from a laboratory investigation.
  3. Work autonomously and in teams to carry out and present the results of experiments.

Unit Content

  1. Molecular structure of nuclear and organelle genomes, chromosomes, coding and non-coding DNA, genes.
  2. DNA replication and repair, transcription and translation, pre-, post-transcriptional and post-translational control mechanisms, protein structure and function.
  3. Subcellular organisation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
  4. Biological membrane structure, semi-permeability, membrane transport, resting membrane potential, transport epithelia.
  5. Energy metabolism, carbohydrates and lipids as fuels, glycolysis and various fermentation processes, cellular respiration, oxidative phosphorylation.
  6. Carbon fixation and energy harnessing through photosynthesis and chemosynthesis.
  7. Energy flow and nutrient cycles from cells to ecosystems.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 3 hour labNot OfferedNot Offered
Semester 213 x 2 hour lectureNot OfferedNot Offered

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

The theory and practice of molecular biology & biochemistry are taught in lectures and practised in laboratories, from a biological rather than medical perspective, with examples introduced from conservation biology and biodiversity studies.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Laboratory WorkLaboratory notebook20%
ReportLaboratory report30%
AssignmentApplication of theory to work scenarios 50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

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