Students

BMOL6231 – Advanced Biochemistry and Cell Biology

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Robert Willows
robert.willows@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
Lecturer
Paul Jaschke
paul.jaschke@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
Paul Jaschke
paul.jaschke@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to GradDipBiotech or MBiotech
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Biochemistry and cell biology are central to our understanding of medicine and biotechnology. Advances in these fields are dependent on an advanced understanding of the molecular basis of diverse cellular processes. This unit links important biochemical processes to functions and properties of eukaryotic cells. We explore advanced concepts including: enzyme function, properties of membranes, signal transduction, protein trafficking and transport, and protein turnover. These are linked to whole cell behaviours such as cell division and differentiation, programmed cell death, and general responses to external stimuli. Practical work complements lecture material and provides experience with a broad range of current techniques used in research and industry. Laboratory techniques used include analysis of signalling cascades, enzyme kinetics, spectrophotometry, and fluorescence and light microscopy.

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Good Health and Well Being; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Quality Education

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

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

  • ULO1: Demonstrate an understanding of how eukaryotic cells are studied and summarise current knowledge of internal cell organisation, membrane trafficking, intracellular compartments, biochemical pathways, and intra- and extra-cellular signalling.
  • ULO2: Summarise the major eukaryotic cell regulation control points and how disturbances in these processes are involved in human disease.
  • ULO3: Design and execute laboratory experiments to characterise, quantitate and measure a range of fundamental cell processes.
  • ULO4: Critically analyse and communicate advanced molecular, cellular, and biochemical concepts from the primary literature in both verbal and written form.

General Assessment Information

All assignments must be submitted as soft copy before the date & time specified on iLearn. Specific instructions for how to successfully complete assessments will be provided on iLearn. Criteria and standards required for the assessment tasks will be available on iLearn. For any unapproved absences, students will receive a zero mark.

Exam must be undertaken at the time indicated in the unit guide.

All other assessments must be submitted by 11:55 pm on their due date. Should these assessments be missed due to illness or misadventure, students should apply for Special Consideration.

Requirements to Pass this Unit

To pass this unit you must achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%.

Practical classes

Development of knowledge and skills requires continual practice at authentic problems in a laboratory-based setting. This unit has laboratory classes. In order to be able to complete both the Data collection and analysis assessment and the Lab report you must attend the laboratory classes. If you do not attend the laboratory classes you will not be able to complete the assessments.

Participation

We strongly encourage all students to actively participate in all learning activities. Regular engagement is crucial for your success in this unit, as these activities provide opportunities to deepen your understanding of the material, collaborate with peers, and receive valuable feedback from instructors, to assist in completing the unit assessments. Your active participation not only enhances your own learning experience but also contributes to a vibrant and dynamic learning environment for everyone.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. 

The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical issues. YOU MUST SUBMIT ASSESSMENTS ASAP EVEN IF REQUESTING SPECIAL CONISDERATION. IT IS EXPECTED THAT YOU WILL SUBMIT ASSESSMENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 

For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration. 

Late Submissions will be accepted for the two assessment tasks submitted online

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through https://connect.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Lab report 30% No Week 6
Data collection and analysis 30% No Week 12
Final Examination 40% No Exam Period

Lab report

Assessment Type 1: Lab report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 30%

 

You will complete a laboratory report based on work completed in labs.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how eukaryotic cells are studied and summarise current knowledge of internal cell organisation, membrane trafficking, intracellular compartments, biochemical pathways, and intra- and extra-cellular signalling.
  • Summarise the major eukaryotic cell regulation control points and how disturbances in these processes are involved in human disease.
  • Design and execute laboratory experiments to characterise, quantitate and measure a range of fundamental cell processes.
  • Critically analyse and communicate advanced molecular, cellular, and biochemical concepts from the primary literature in both verbal and written form.

Data collection and analysis

Assessment Type 1: Quantitative analysis task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 30%

 

This task involves demonstration of practical laboratory skills, knowledge of protocols and optimising collection of experimental data. You will be required to collect experimental data both individually and as a class. The data you will analyse will comprise both individual and group data sets. This task will require you to analyse and graph all data sets to obtain specific quantitative constants, and to critically interpret these results.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Design and execute laboratory experiments to characterise, quantitate and measure a range of fundamental cell processes.

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 41 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 40%

 

A final examination on material covered during the unit

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how eukaryotic cells are studied and summarise current knowledge of internal cell organisation, membrane trafficking, intracellular compartments, biochemical pathways, and intra- and extra-cellular signalling.
  • Summarise the major eukaryotic cell regulation control points and how disturbances in these processes are involved in human disease.
  • Critically analyse and communicate advanced molecular, cellular, and biochemical concepts from the primary literature in both verbal and written form.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Week 1 Classes

Lectures (attend in-person or via Echo360 Active Learning Platform): 

Tuesdays: 10 am - 11 am (14SCO T3)

Thursdays: 12 pm - 1 pm (14SCO T2) 

Practical_1 (attend in-person)

Practical attendance is a requirement for collecting data to complete the assessment tasks. These classes are your only opportunity learn how to collect the required data for the successful completion of these assessments. Only attend the one class per week you are registered in.

Tuesday: 2 pm - 5 pm

Wednesday: 9 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 4 pm

• All practicals held in 14SCO 349/350

• Close-toed shoes, lab coats, and safety glasses must be worn in every practical unless instructed otherwise.

• Lab coats MUST be provided by students. If you do not have a lab coat you will be turned away from practical.

• We highly encourage students to bring their own safety glasses.

Methods of Communication

We will communicate with you via your university email and through announcements on iLearn. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to the unit convenor via the contact email on iLearn.

Unit Schedule

IMPORTANT: BOTH PRACTICALS AND LECTURES BEGIN IN WEEK 1 (28 July 2025).

See iLearn for detailed schedule.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

Assessments have been changed from previous offerings in line with Macquarie Universities new assessment policy.

Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook