| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Biochemistry for Health and Nutrition |
| Unit ID: | SCBCH2000 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (SCCHM1000) |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (SCBCH2001) |
| ASCED: | 010901 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This course will provide students with foundation studies in biochemistry especially relevant to further studies in food and nutrition. The course begins with an introduction to the cellular environment and interactions that stabilise biological macromolecules. This is followed by studies of the major classes of biological molecules: amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids. The structure and function of biological membranes, and mechanisms of degradation and turnover of biological molecules, are also considered. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | No |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | |  | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
|
| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Describe the structures of biological molecules and their roles in biological processes. |
|
| K2. | Discuss the relationship between the structure of macromolecules and their biological function. |
|
| K3. | Differentiate between cellular components that are recycled and those that are degraded. |
|
| K4. | Discuss the buffering mechanisms that operate in biological systems. |
|
| Skills: |
| S1. | Relate the structure of biological macromolecules to their function. |
|
| S2. | Relate structural dysfunction to human disease. |
|
| S3. | Locate, interpret, evaluate and communicate biochemical information. |
|
| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Suggest why specific metabolic process dysfunctions, and dietary imbalances, lead to disease. |
|
| A2. | Critically evaluate scientific and popular literature. |
|
| Unit Content: |
Topics may include:
• Biomolecules and key functional groups; Small molecules as building blocks; Non-covalent interactions
• Water as the matrix of life: The cellular environment; Diffusion and osmosis; pH balance and buffering
• Amino acids and peptides: Classes of amino acids; Peptide synthesis; Biologically active amino acids and peptides
• Proteins: Protein structure; Protein folding; Globular and fibrous proteins
• Nucleotides and nucleic acids: DNA and RNA; Overview of gene expression; Genetic mutations
• Carbohydrates: Monosaccharides and disaccharides; Polysaccharides; Glycoconjugates
• Lipids and membranes: Lipid classes; Membrane structure; Transport of molecules and ions across membranes
• Degradation and turnover of biological molecules: Molecules and components that are recycled; Molecules that are degraded; Lysosomes and the proteasome |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
|
| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | | Level | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | N/A - Not Applicable | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Level 2 - Student demonstrates some independence within provided guidelines | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | N/A - Not Applicable |
|
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A1, A2 | Research and reporting on relevant topics | Written tasks | 30-40% | | 2. | K1, K2, K3, K4 | Recall and comprehension of fundamental concepts | On-line quizzes | 20-30% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, A1 | Written responses of varying length | Test | 35-45% |
|