Overview
This unit will enable you to develop knowledge and understanding of biomolecules, cell function and cellular biochemistry. You will develop a basic understanding of how biomolecules are synthesised, catabolised and interconverted through key biochemical pathways to meet the needs of the cell and organism. Cellular biochemistry will explore aspects of cell-cell communication to provide the necessary knowledge to study disease and drug treatment at the cellular level. This unit will prepare you for advanced level study of cardiovascular pharmacology.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-requisite: ECHO11003 Fundamentals of Cardiac Science AND Co-requisite BMSC11002 Human Body Systems 2 OR BMSC11011 Human Anatomy and Physiology 2
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE comments
Students found the volume of unit content high, particularly those encountering biochemistry for the first time.
Review content volume and sequencing to ensure it is manageable.
Feedback from SUTE comments; Unit Coordinator reflections
Students found the requirement to reference slide numbers in online quizzes and the test both stressful and time-consuming.
Explore alternative assessment formats to reduce the burden of slide number referencing while maintaining academic rigour.
Feedback from SUTE comments
Students appreciated the Unit Coordinator’s prompt responses to queries and the revision resources provided throughout the term.
Continue providing consistent communication and revision activities to support learning and assessment preparation.
Feedback from SUTE comments
Students who watched lectures and participated in tutorials found the delivery engaging, supportive and motivating.
Maintain interactive, clinically relevant teaching strategies, including case-based examples, to promote engagement and understanding of biochemistry in a clinical context.
- Describe the structure, function and biological roles of the major types of biomolecules and macromolecules
- Describe the relationship between structure and function of the components of biological membranes, especially in terms of selective permeability
- Outline the basic processes involved in metabolic and catabolic pathways relevant to the cardiovascular system
- Describe basic cell signalling, communication and metabolism.
Linked to National and International Standards
1. ASAR Accreditation Standards for Cardiac Sonography - critical practice Unit 8 - Cardiac, Foundation units of competence - 1- 5.
2. European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging Core Syllabus
3. American Registry for Cardiac Sonography Core Syllabus
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Online Quiz(zes) - 40% | ||||
| 2 - Online Test - 60% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Vancouver
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.robilliard@cqu.edu.au
Week 1
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to Biomolecules
Chapter
Week 1 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Unit Overview
Week 2
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Protein Synthesis and Genetic Mutations
Chapter
Week 2 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Week 1 content
Week 3
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Proteins and Enzymes in Cardiac Function
Chapter
Week 3 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Week 2 content
Week 4
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Biological Membranes
Chapter
Week 4 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on Week 3 content
Week 5
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Membrane Transport and Selective Permeability
Chapter
Week 5 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on week 4 content
Week 6
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Types of Cell Communication and Receptors
Chapter
Week 6 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on week 5 content
Online Quiz 1 Opens: Week 6 Wednesday
(19 Aug 2026) 12:01 am AEST
Online Quiz 1 Due: Week 6 Wednesday
(19 Aug 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Vacation Week | Catch-up, Assessment Preparation, Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 7
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Signal Transduction Pathways in the Heart
Chapter
Week 7 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on week 6 content
Week 8
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to Metabolism
Chapter
Week 8 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on week 7 content
Week 9
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Carbohydrate Metabolism in Cardiac Tissue
Chapter
Week 9 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on week 8 content
Week 10
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Lipid Metabolism and Cardiovascular Health
Chapter
Week 10 Lecture Notes and recordings (available on Moodle)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on week 9 content
Week 11
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Tutorial on week 10 content
Online Quiz 2 Opens: Week 11 Wednesday
(30 Sep 2026) 12:01 am AEST
Online Quiz 2 Due: Week 11 Wednesday
(30 Sep 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 12
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Revision
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Online Test Opens: Week 12 Wednesday
(9 Oct 2026) 12:01 am AEST
Online Test Due: Week 12 Wednesday
(9 Oct 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Online Test Due: Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
Contact Details for Teaching Staff
The unit coordinator for ECHO11004 is Laverne Robilliard. Laverne can be reached via email at l.robilliard@cqu.edu.au, and through the Q&A forum on Moodle.
Lectures and Tutorials
The lectures for this unit are pre-recorded and available on the unit’s Moodle site. Live tutorials are delivered weekly on Zoom. Please refer to the CQUniversity Handbook for specific times. The tutorials are also recorded and made available for later viewing on the Moodle site.
Readings in this Unit
All core readings for this unit are available for free on the Moodle site. There is no prescribed textbook for this unit.
Unit Study Commitment
As per Australian education standards, this unit requires a total study commitment of 150 hours over the term. Here is a suggested weekly study schedule for ECHO11004:
2-3 hours watching recorded lectures and attending/viewing the tutorial;
1-2 hours completing the recommended readings;
2-3 hours completing the weekly study questions and practice assessment activities;
3-4 hours revising for the Online Quizzes and Online Test.
1 Online Quiz(zes)
Task Rationale:
A strong and confident knowledge of fundamental biochemistry is essential for studying cardiac disease and pharmacology. Accordingly, the aim of this assessment task is to evaluate, at an introductory level, your understanding of biomolecules, biological membranes, cell communication and metabolism.
Level of Gen-AI Use Allowed:
You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
What You Need to Do:
- Complete an online quiz assessing your knowledge of Modules 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- Complete an online quiz assessing your knowledge of Modules 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Transferrable Skills:
- Attention to detail
- Performing under time pressure
Grace Period:
The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Dates and Times:
- Online Quiz 1 (covering Modules 1-5): Week 6 Wednesday (19 Aug 2026). Opens at 12:01 am AEST and closes at 11:59 pm AEST.
- Online Quiz 2 (covering Modules 6-10): Week 11 Wednesday (30 Sep 2026). Opens at 12:01 am AEST and closes at 11:59 pm AEST
2
Other
The Online Quizzes will end once you click submit, when the time limit is exhausted, or when the due date and time are reached.
The Online Quizzes will be graded manually, and the results will be returned via Moodle within one (1) week of the due date.
Marks will be awarded for correct responses.
- Describe the structure, function and biological roles of the major types of biomolecules and macromolecules
- Describe the relationship between structure and function of the components of biological membranes, especially in terms of selective permeability
- Outline the basic processes involved in metabolic and catabolic pathways relevant to the cardiovascular system
- Describe basic cell signalling, communication and metabolism.
2 Online Test
Task Rationale:
During the term, you will learn about the fundamentals of biochemistry in the context of cardiac function and pharmacology. A solid understanding of this is essential to developing the clinical proficiency and multidisciplinary expertise required of an echocardiographer. Accordingly, the aim of this assessment task is to evaluate your knowledge of the fundamental principles of biochemistry as applied to the cardiac-specific topics covered in the lectures throughout the term.
Level of Gen-AI Use Allowed:
- You must not use Al at any point during the assessment. You must demonstrate your core skills and knowledge.
What You Need to Do:
- Complete an online test assessing your knowledge of Modules 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Transferrable Skills:
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Performing under time pressure
Grace Period:
- The 72-hour grace period does not apply to this assessment.
Dates and Times:
Online Test (covering Modules 1-10): Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2026). Opens at 12:01 am AEST and closes at 11:59 pm AEST.
Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2026) 11:59 pm AEST
The Online Test will end once you click submit, when the time limit is exhausted, or when the due date and time are reached.
The Online Test will be graded manually, and the results will be returned via Moodle within two (2) weeks of the due date.
Marks will be awarded for correct responses.
- Describe the structure, function and biological roles of the major types of biomolecules and macromolecules
- Describe the relationship between structure and function of the components of biological membranes, especially in terms of selective permeability
- Outline the basic processes involved in metabolic and catabolic pathways relevant to the cardiovascular system
- Describe basic cell signalling, communication and metabolism.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
