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Year:

BCHM310 Proteins - The Machines of Life

Updated: 05 February 2013
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Intensive School(s)
Start Finish Attendance Notes
17 April 2013 20 April 2013 Mandatory On-campus students to attend intensive school.
Supervised Exam There is a UNE Supervised Examination held at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled.
Pre-requisites BCHM210 or candidature in a postgraduate award in the School of Environmental and Rural Science or School of Science and Technology
Co-requisites None
Restrictions BCHM510
Notes None
Combined Units BCHM510 - Proteins - The Machines of Life
Coordinator(s) Heather Nonhebel (hnonheb2@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit focuses on protein structure and function, and analysis of proteins in the laboratory and by computer. Topics studied will include: an examination of protein structure and structural analysis; the relationship between protein structure and function in living organisms, studied using current examples; an introduction to protein evolution; the formation and degradation of native proteins in the cell including the targeting and post-translational processing of proteins; an introduction to protein engineering. Practical work will include protein isolation and assay; and introduction to protein databases. BCHM510 will cover material in greater depth than BCHM310, with separate assessments being completed.

Important Information

Where calculators are permitted in examinations, it must be selected from an approved list, which can be accessed from the Further Information link below.

Further information

Prescribed Material
Mandatory
Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

Biochemistry
ISBN: 9780470570951
Voet, D. and Voet, J.G., Wiley 4th ed. 2010
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Lehninger: Principles of Biochemistry
ISBN: 9781429208925
Nelson, D.L. and Cox, M.M., Worth 5th International ed. 2012
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 10%
Assessment Notes
Bioinformatic analysis of protein sequences. It is mandatory to pass this component in order to pass the unit.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 6 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6
Assignment 2 20% 2000
Assessment Notes
Protein isolation assignment. It is mandatory to pass this component in order to pass the unit.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6
Practical Report 15% 1500
Assessment Notes
It is mandatory to attend and pass this component in order to pass the unit.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 5 GA: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8
Quiz 5%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1 GA: 1, 6
Final Examination 2 hrs 50%
Assessment Notes
It is mandatory to pass this component in order to pass the unit.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3, 4 GA: 1, 2, 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. understand basic principles of protein structure;
  2. use current examples to illustrate in detail the relationship between protein structure and function in a living organism;
  3. appreciate evolutionary relationships between proteins;
  4. describe how proteins are directed to cellular compartments, modified following translation, assisted to fold into their native state and specifically degraded;
  5. handle and assay proteins in the laboratory and be able to design protein isolation protocol; and
  6. use a range of bioinformatic tools relating to proteins.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
This unit focuses on protein structure and function, and analysis of proteins in the laboratory and by computer. Topics studied will include: an examination of protein structure and structural analysis; the relationship between protein structure and function in living organisms, studied using current examples; an introduction to protein evolution; the formation and degradation of native proteins in the cell including the targeting and post-translational processing of proteins; an introduction to protein engineering. Practical work will include protein isolation and assay; and introduction to protein databases.
True True True
2 Communication Skills
Essay writing and scientific report writing are taught practised and assessed.
True True True
4 Information Literacy
Students are instructed on methods for accessing relevant scientific literature, databases and websites; this is practised and assessed in assignments and practical report. Students discuss two scientific journal articles in depth during an assessable tutorial/discussion session.
True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Students learn that scientific knowledge is constantly changing and requiring constant updating.
True
6 Problem Solving
The two major assignments in this unit are complex problem solving exercises.
True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Scientific ethics are taught practised and assessed in practicals.
True True
8 Team Work
Students must work cooperatively in order to complete practical work.
True True
   

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