BIOC210
Biochemistry A
78 hr
This subject will provide a general understanding of biomolecular structure and function of living cells and examine in detail the structure and function of the cell nucleus and the role of nucleic acids in cell replication and biosynthesis. Students will explore the bilayer structure of the cell membrane, and its role in cell communication and in maintaining the intracellular environment. The structure and function of rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum will be compared, and the function of ribosomes and the Golgi apparatus in the synthesis, packaging and secretion of proteins will be described. The relationship between the 3-dimensional structure of proteins and their functional specificity as receptors and enzymes will be discussed and the role of lysozymes in the normal function of cells will be examined. Students will develop practical skills and knowledge to analyse biochemical processes using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The role of bioinformatics in prediction of RNA secondary structure, phylogenetic relationships, gene and protein classification and prediction is developed through practical application and laboratory classes.
BIOC220
Biochemistry B
78 hr
This subject is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of biochemical pathways and cell metabolism, and the practical skills and knowledge to analyse biochemical processes using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The subject will cover: the energy requirements of cells including carbohydrate metabolism, glucose and pentose pathways, the citric acid cycle; chloroplast structure and photosynthesis; mitochondrial structure, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation; metabolic and regulatory mechanisms in cells; signals and signal transduction; nitrogen metabolism and synthesis of amino acids; enzyme structure and function including reaction kinetics; lipids and lipid biosynthesis; hormone structure and functions. Further contextualisation of the role of bioinformatics and its application will be examined.
BIOL110
Biology A
78 hr
This subject introduces the study of life at the cellular level. It will examine and compare the structure and function of plant, animal and bacterial cells and viruses. It emphasises metabolic pathways especially energy production and storage, growth and differentiation. The role of the nucleus in controlling cell structure and function via targeted expression of nuclear genome is discussed and the basic control of gene function and its critical importance for normal function of organisms will be examined.
BIOL120
Biology B
78 hr
This subject introduces students to the structure, function, diversity and evolution of multicellular organisms. It will provide students with an understanding of the basic principles of natural selection and the effects of genetic and environmental factors on evolution and species diversity. The general principles governing the classification of plant and animal species will be presented and discussed and the relationships between habitats and species evolution and diversity will be explored.
BIOT210
Bioprocessing A
78 hr
This subject will explore the use of electrophoretic techniques to separate and isolate proteins, nucleic acids and other important biological molecules and the application of a variety of standard laboratory techniques for identifying molecules, for synthesizing biomarkers such as oligonucleotides, for replicating nucleic acids and for isolating cells from tissues and growing cells and cell lines in culture. Students will develop further the skills and knowledge from MGEN210 and BIOC210 to program simple routines in BioPython or in the Victorian VPAC Bioplatform to analyse DNA sequences and related data. They will also utilise, develop and adapt open source resources available on the World Wide Web to support development of bioinformatics applications.
CHEM110
Chemistry A
78 hr
This subject is designed to allow an individual to develop the skills and knowledge required to understand the classification, nomenclature and behavioural characteristics` of common chemical substances. It examines the historical development of the periodic classification of elements and explores systematic approaches to describing physical, chemical, thermodynamic and kinetic behaviour and properties. Emphasis will be placed on the development of safe and efficient practical skills that will underpin subsequent laboratory work at this and higher levels.
CHEM120
Chemistry B
78 hr
This subject is designed to allow an individual to develop the skills and knowledge required to describe the bulk physical and chemical properties of substances in the solid state and solution equilibria as well as gaining an understanding of the biological significance of coordination complexes. This course will develop a thorough understanding of fundamental organic chemical concepts to underpin further studies at higher levels in biochemistry. The course will systematically develop an understanding of organic nomenclature, structures, bonding, reaction types and reactivity of alkyl, aryl and functional group compounds. The practical classes will enable students to develop confidence in safe and efficient laboratory work practices while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and precision.
DATA120
Research methods
52 hr
This subject aims to extend student’s understanding of important statistical methods applicable to the biological sciences introduced in DATA110. Particular attention is focused on application to biotechnology processes. Knowledge of hypothesis testing, selection of appropriate statistical analyses, and techniques for mitigation of sources of experimental error, underpins the tutorial classes where students will develop skills and knowledge which relate to accurate observation, recording and analysis of biological processes. A variety of research methodologies will be examined and students will gain an understanding of the importance of experimental procedures and protocols. The role of statistical reporting in scientific and peer reviewed communication will also be discussed and examined. Students will be introduced to the field of bioinformatics. Pre-requisite: DATA110
MGEN210
Molecular genetics A
78 hr
This subject will introduce students to the molecular basis of genes, gene expression and heredity and the links between genetics and molecular biotechnology. The major topics covered will include: DNA and RNA structure, synthesis and DNA replication; Mendel, chromosomes, genes, gene assortment and patterns of inheritance; comparison of the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes, gene transfer in bacteria and viruses; gene expression, DNA transcription and translation, protein synthesis and the regulation of gene expression; proteins and protein function; chromosome mapping; vectors and host-vector systems; restriction enzymes, cloning of DNA fragments into vectors; DNA amplification, hybridisation and sequencing; gene libraries, genome projects and an examination of the methods used to collect DNA sequences and store them in computer files along with identifiers such as organism and gene nomenclature. The practical component will provide students with skills in preparing chromosome spreads, isolating and purifying DNA, use of restriction enzymes and PCR, and DNA sequencing Methods of retrieval and database querying are also examined.
MGEN220
Molecular genetics B
78 hr
This subject provides students with advanced knowledge and understanding of the molecular basis of genes and gene function, and the links between genetics and molecular biotechnology. The major topics covered will include: regulation and manipulation of gene expression; gene isolation and mapping; mechanisms of recombination, recombinant DNA technology and its applications; gene transfer methods and genetic engineering; chromosome and gene mutations and basis for mutagenesis; mitochondrial DNA, haplotypes and evolution; genetic basis of disease and the application of molecular biotechnology in disease diagnosis and the development of novel treatments for disease such as DNA and protein-based vaccines; production of recombinant proteins. The practical component will provide students with advanced skills in DNA amplification techniques and sequencing, DNA fragment cloning. Bioinformatics will be extended from Molecular Genetics A to develop greater understanding of methods of sequence and assessment of their significance via specialised statistical analyses (including Bayesian statistics and Hidden Markov Models).
MICR120
Microbiology A
78 hr
This subject introduces students to the biology of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa) and to the experimental methods used in their study. It focuses on microorganisms that are economically significant because of their effects on human, animal or plant health or their importance in industrial bioprocesses.
MICR210
Microbiology B
78 hr
This subject extends the foundation of MICR120 to detail the selection and use of particular microbes in important industrial bioprocesses such as fermentation, biosynthesis of antibiotics, recombinant proteins, sewage treatment and other biodegradation processes, and in food production. Students will, through the laboratory component of the course, develop further practical skills in the isolation, culture and manipulation of microorganisms.
MICR220
Microbiology C
78 hr
This subject extends MICR120 and MICR220 to focus on aspects of bacterial molecular biology of importance to the biotechnology industry. Content includes the study of genetic elements such as plasmids, transposons, integrons and pathogenicity islands as well as bacterial genomics. Students will develop further practical skills in the isolation, culture and genetic manipulation of microorganisms.
BILP110
Biotechnology laboratory practice
52 hr
This subject introduces you to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). This includes occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations, the use of material safety data sheets, hazard identification, hazard control, standard operating procedures and aspects of quality control and quality assurance. The subject has a strong practical aspect you will learn all basic laboratory techniques.
BIO110
Biometrics
52 hr
This subject introduces you in data collection and analysis. You will engage in the study of basic metrology, and the selection and summary of data. You will gain an understanding of the concepts of accuracy and measurement of error, basic statistical methods including hypothesis testing will be developed in this subject. You will learn how to determine sample populations, randomisation, sample distribution, measures of central tendency, variance analysis techniques.
NANO222
Nanotechnology
52 hr
This is an elective subject it will provide you with the background to understand the far-reaching and rapidly emerging field of molecular nanotechnology. It will focus on the behavioural characteristics of nano-materials and will give you an insight into the tools used in nanotechnology. These are transmission electron microscopy, nano - systems and the building of molecular machines.
RTEC221
Environmental biology
65 hr
This is an elective subject it will address a range of environmental issues that have become an important theme of the biotechnology industry in the 21st century. The major topics are: the role of microbes in aquatic and terrestrial environments and the principles of microbiology to bio-wastes, bio-fuels, biosensors and bioremediation.