Extended Major Overview

Description

The extended major in Medical Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will focus on mechanisms of health and human disease, providing students with the essential preclinical knowledge. This includes human anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, genetics, pathology, haematology, pharmacology, physiology, and public health. These disciplines will be integrated within the two Level 3 Body Systems units. Communication and research skills for the health professional will be presented throughout the major, including aspects of Australian society and Aboriginal health.

The Biochemistry and Molecular Biology focus incorporated within this major emphasises the molecular functions of living organisms, from the smallest bacterium to the largest whale. Students study the way molecules are organised and how they interact to achieve the functions of the living cell and organism.

Outcomes

Students are able to:

  1. articulate a broad knowledge of the structure, function and physiology of the human body at a molecular, cellular, organ and body system level
  2. demonstrate an understanding of communicable and non-communicable disease processes and health interventions based on knowledge of human body functions and pharmacological principles
  3. communicate biomedical concepts and knowledge to diverse audiences in effective and appropriate ways
  4. evaluate and adopt research methodologies including research design and the analysis and interpretation of health and medical data
  5. demonstrate high level academic and interpersonal skills
  6. explain the theoretical basis of biochemistry and molecular biology
  7. demonstrate critical analysis and the application of scientific method to biochemical problems
  8. demonstrate technical competency in basic laboratory skills, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, and operation of laboratory equipment
  9. demonstrate high-level critical thinking and communication skills suited to gaining employment in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Broadening guidelines

All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.

Prerequisites

ATAR Chemistry or equivalent.

ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent.

Incompatibilities
None
Courses

Medical Science - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:

No study plans found for this major. Check your chosen course, see study plans or contact your student advising office for more information.

Units

Key to availability of units:
S1
Semester 1
S2
Semester 2

Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year. Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.

Level 1

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED1001 Form and Function
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
or MJD-IMSCP Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
or MJD-EBMEG Biomedical Engineering
or MJD-PHMSC Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences
or MJD-DENTS Integrated Dental Sciences
S1 IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Prerequisites
Enrolment in
Major(s) MJD-IMSCP Integrated Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
or MJD-DENTS Integrated Dental Sciences
or MJD-PHMSC Podiatric Health and Medical Sciences
or MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
Co-requisites
IMED1001 Form and Function
S2 IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1001 Form and Function (ID 5965)
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites
Enrolment in
IMED1004 Health and Society (ID 5968)
S2 IMED1004 Health and Society
Prerequisites
IMED1001 Form and Function (ID 5965)
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication (ID 5967)
Bridging units

Students without WACE or ATAR Chemistry are required to successfully complete CHEM1003 in first year.

Students who do not have ATAR Mathematics Applications or equivalent or higher, are required to successfully complete MATH1720 in their first year.

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1, S2 CHEM1003 Introductory Chemistry
Incompatibility
ATAR Subject(s) Chemistry or equivalent
S1, S2 MATH1720 Mathematics Fundamentals
Prerequisites
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of less than 50] or with permission
Incompatibility
Mathematics Applications ATAR [with a scaled score of 50 or greater] or Equivalent or higher

Level 2

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (24 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED2001 Body Defences
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
and IMED1004 Health and Society
Co-requisites
IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
S1 IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Prerequisites
IMED1003 Cell Survival and Communication
and IMED1004 Health and Society
Co-requisites
IMED2001 Body Defences
S2 IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies
Prerequisites
IMED2001 Body Defences (ID 5969)
and IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Co-requisites
IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
S2 IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
Prerequisites
IMED2001 Body Defences (ID 5969)
and IMED2002 Blood and Drugs
Co-requisites
IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies (ID 5971)
Degree-specific major units

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED1001 Form and Function
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
or Successful completion of two Unit(s)
SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
and CHEM1004 Biological Chemistry
or BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
or CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
or CHEX1002 Chemistry Structure and Reactivity
Incompatibility
Unit(s) BIOC2201 Biochemistry of the Cell
and Unit(s) SCIE2225 Molecular Biology
S2 BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Prerequisites
Successful completion of two Unit(s)
SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
and any one
BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry
or CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity
or CHEX1002 Chemistry Structure and Reactivity
or Successful completion of
Unit(s) IMED1001 Form and Function
and IMED1002 The Facts of Life
Co-requisites
Enrolment in
Major(s) MJD-BCNDM Biochemistry of Nutrition
or MJD-MLSDM Molecular Life Sciences
and
Unit(s) SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or SCIX1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
Incompatibility
Unit(s) BIOC2202 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function

Level 3

Degree-specific major units

Take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 IMED3010 Human Body Systems 1
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED2003 Medical Sciences Research Methodologies
and IMED2004 Human Development and Genetics
and Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
S2 IMED3020 Human Body Systems 2
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
IMED3010 Human Body Systems 1
and Enrolment in
MJD-MEDSI Medical Science
Degree-specific major units

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—take all units (12 points):

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S2 BIOC3003 Omics—Global Approaches to Cell Function
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
S2 BIOC3005 Cellular Biochemistry
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
Degree-specific major units

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology—take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:

Availability Unit code Unit name unit requirements
S1 BIOC3001 Molecular Biology
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
S1 BIOC3002 Structural and Functional Biochemistry
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
and Unit(s) BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function
S1 BIOC3004 Nutritional Biochemistry
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
two Unit(s) BIOC2001 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Cell
and BIOC2002 Biochemical Regulation of Cell Function