CHEM13084 - Bio-Organic Chemistry

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit will build on the organic chemistry aspects learnt in first and second year to an in-depth level. In this unit, you will learn theoretical and practical chemistry applications that encompass both in-depth organic and biochemistry components. You will become familiar with laboratory compliance procedures; identify and analyse risks and the appropriate risk-minimisation approaches. The theoretical concepts will include an in-depth overview of biomolecules (such as carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids and proteins) associated with metabolic functions, enzymes and their regulatory behaviour and the integrated regulation of metabolic pathways. Contents covered in this unit will provide students with attributes important for further studies and/or employment in any related area in the discipline of chemistry. Contents covered in this unit will enable you to be able to evaluate the implications of in-depth bio-organic chemistry associated with biochemistry, functional foods, manufacturing, environment and medical fields. Students will enhance their practical skills by applying the knowledge gained towards the operation and maintenance of common instruments used for chemical analysis and perform appropriate in-depth bioassays.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 3
Credit Points 6
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.125
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Pre-requisite: CHEM12080 Organic Chemistry

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).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School Compulsory Residential School
View Unit Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2024

Term 2 - 2024 Profile
Mixed Mode

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Written Assessment 20%
2. Practical Assessment 30%
3. Examination 50%

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

Past Exams

To view Past Exams,
please login
Previous Feedback

Term 2 - 2023 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 100.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 55.56% response rate.

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.

Source: SUTE
Feedback
Students recommended that the residential school provided excellent hands-on experience that reinforced several key learning aspects of the course.
Recommendation
Continue to maintain the standards and quality of the delivery of the residential school.
Action Taken
The teaching team maintained the standards and quality of the delivery of the residential school.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
Students recommended that more interactive tools should be provided to understand some of the concepts pertaining to bioorganic reactions better.
Recommendation
Where feasible students will be provided with supplementary interactive learning materials to enhance their learning experience.
Action Taken
The teaching team provided supplementary interactive learning materials to enhance students' learning experience.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
Students commended the residential school for its excellent hands-on experience, reinforcing key learning aspects of the course, and providing a practical, real-world context for unit learning.
Recommendation
Continue to maintain the standards and quality of the delivery of the residential school.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: SUTE
Feedback
Students expressed that the requirements and instructions for writing laboratory reports were not adequately provided.
Recommendation
The teaching team is committed to providing more comprehensive assessment criteria and instructions in future offerings.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Compare and contrast the structure and function of carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids and proteins
  2. Evaluate the importance of enzymes for the regulation of metabolic processes
  3. Interpret how living cells obtain biochemical energy from nutrients
  4. Demonstrate skills in manipulation of laboratory apparatus, careful and systematic observation, precise recording and communication of experimental data.

The Applied Chemistry content of CU18 is in the process of applying for accreditation in 2021. As part of the content mapping against accreditation benchmarks, the learning outcomes of all units in the course have been mapped against the Learning Outcomes (LO) of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (accrediting body).

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Written Assessment
2 - Practical Assessment
3 - Examination
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
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
8 - Ethical practice
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment
2 - Practical Assessment
3 - Examination