01. After successfully completing this subject, students will be able to: Use the basic vocabulary of biochemistry and molecular biology to describe the generation of cellular energy in the form of ATP from the oxidation of various fuels, and to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the concepts of cellular metabolism, compartmentation, cell signalling pathways and other aspects of cell biology.

Activities:

In lectures, students will be instructed in energy metabolism (glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation), lipids, membranes and compartmentation, and techniques in molecular cell biology. These concepts will be reinforced by small-group discussions in lectorial (large-scale tutorial) sessions. The students' understanding of these concepts will be assessed by short-answer and/or multiple-choice questions in lectorial quizzes, and by short-answer questions in formal examinations.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)

02. Apply biochemical and molecular biology techniques, principles and methodologies in addressing research problems.

Activities:

In laboratory classes, students will apply and build on their basic laboratory skills to investigate aspects of cellular metabolism, and they will gain hands on experience in a range of techniques in molecular cell biology. The students' ability to carry out these techniques will be assessed on the basis of the quality of their experimental results, and this will contribute to their 'laboratory performance' mark. The students' understanding of the underlying principles will be assessed through prac reports and/or by their responses to questions posed in weekly worksheets.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)

Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)

03. Prepare and present a clear and coherent oral presentation on a biochemical topic to communicate to peers.

Activities:

Students will be instructed on aspects of oral presentations (including the appropriate use of visual aids) in a workshop which will address the preparation of the 10 min oral presentation for their research assignments. These oral presentations will be jointly prepared and presented by student pairs. They will be peer-assessed by the other members of the pair's prac group, following a comprehensive marking scheme.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Speaking(Speaking)

04. Employ laboratory practice to acceptable standards in terms of safety, professional conduct and keeping accurate records of experimental data.

Activities:

Students will complete an induction exercise (not formally assessed) where they are introduced to various aspects of biochemical laboratory practice: appropriate behaviour, safe handling of equipment and reagents, principles of risk assessment, appropriate record keeping. These factors will be assessed during all subsequent prac sessions as a component of the laboratory performance mark.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)

05. Compute basic mathematical calculations and prepare graphic representations to aid in the interpretation of biochemical data consistent with scientific standards.

Activities:

Calculations and graphical analyses will be commonly performed as part of laboratory practicals, and instruction will be provided during pre-prac talks, in the laboratory manual and/or by demonstrators during prac sessions. Calculations and graphic representations will be assessed as an integral component of practical report/worksheet marking.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)

06. Demonstrate independent learning and research skills by locating, interrogating and evaluating relevant scientific information.

Activities:

Students will be instructed on the selection of appropriate and reliable sources of information, with particular emphasis on material sourced from the internet, during the workshop on oral presentations. The gathering and critical analysis of information derived from from multiple literature-based sources will be assessed as a component of the oral presentation given on the research assignment. The prac course will include an experimental design component which will be assessed partly on the basis of inclusion of appropriate controls in student-designed experiments and the use of relevant information sources.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

07. Participate as an effective team member in a laboratory environment and collaborate effectively on research projects.

Activities:

In lectorial sessions groups of 3 or 4 students will engage in discussions to which all members will be expected to contribute. Each student will also be encouraged to act as a spokesperson at least once during the semester. In practical sessions students will usually work in pairs but will sometimes collaborate in larger groups of 14-16. They will be instructed on aspects of team-work by demonstrators. The ability of students to work effectively as team-members will be assessed as a component of the laboratory performance mark. Students will work in pairs to jointly prepare and deliver to their peers an oral presentation on their chosen research assignment topic. They will be given instruction on various aspects of this team-based task during the workshop on oral presentations.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Speaking(Speaking)

Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)

Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)

Creative Problem-solving(Creative Problem-solving)

Ethical Awareness(Ethical Awareness)

Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)

Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)