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Overview

Course Prescription

An introduction to the biological processes and molecules that enable life. Key themes include molecular structure and function, molecular interactions, catalysis, metabolism, and signaling. These themes will frame discussions about the threat posed by antibiotic resistance, strategies in drug development, and the molecular mechanisms underpinning infectious disease, and chronic human diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Course Overview

Haere mai and welcome to BIOSCI 106

Our course will help you to understand the complex living world around us and the biological processes happening inside of us, using the language of chemistry. Life is really just a series of chemical reactions, that first emerged on primordial earth 4 billion years ago and are intimately connected to the birth of life on this planet, predating the emergence of cells and organisms. The modern study of biochemistry involves an amazingly broad set of disciplines sharing concepts with organic and physical chemistry, biophysics, medical science, nutrition and food science, microbiology, physiology, cell biology and genetics.  

In this course we focus on the structures and interactions of biomolecules that define the biological processes of life, and we will provide you with a grounding in the basic, universal concepts that will facilitate your future learning in biochemistry and provide an excellent grounding for a deeper understanding of biological processes across all biology subjects. 

This course will interest anyone with a genuine curiosity in the chemistry and cellular processes that support all of life and is a key course in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology pathway for both the BIOSCI and BIOMED majors. It leads directly on to Stage 2 papers in biochemistry including the core paper BIOSCI203, and will support your understanding of molecular biology subjects. 

Biochemistry underpins many research initiatives in New Zealand including biomedical research to develop new medical treatments, and studies that support our agricultural economy, contributing to developments in plant and animal sciences, and also to our understanding of the environment and sustainability. We hope to spark a little passion in all of you for the molecules of life and the concepts that govern all aspects of biology in the universe! 

For any queries about BIOSCI 106, please contact your BIOSCI 106 Coordinators Julie McIntosh and Monica Kam via email: biosci106@auckland.ac.nz. We are always happy to chat to you about our course.

Key Topics

Module 1: Chemistry of Life - the basic concepts of chemistry and universal rules that define the biology of life.Module 2: Catalysing Life - the concepts underpinning biological catalysis that drive biological processes.Module 3: Energetics of Life - the bioenergetic principles linking life's origins with all contemporary biological lifeforms.Module 4: Lipids, metabolism and obesity - the role of water-insoluble molecules in biological processes and in medical conditions.Module 5:  Micronutrients and antibiotics - the ubiquitous role of vitamins in biology and the interplay between host, pathogen, and medical interventions.Module 6: Signal Transduction - the key concepts underpinning how molecules and cells "talk" to each other.

Course Contacts

Course Coordinator: Julie McIntosh (biosci106@auckland.ac.nz)

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures per week & 3 hours of labs per fortnight, while the remaining ~100 hours will be spent on reading and thinking about the content, assignments, practice questions, and, test/exam preparation. 

Advice on Course Limits

This is a limited entry course: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. In cases where the courses is taught under two separate codes (e.g. concurrently taught courses, general education courses) the course limit specified is the total across both versions of the course. For more information, please see the Programme and Course Limitations section of the University Academic and General Statutes and Regulations.

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs to complete components of the course.

Lectures will be taught on campus and available as recordings.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable. 

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

The BIOSCI 106 Laboratory guide can be purchased on campus and is available in electronic format on Canvas. You are required to bring the relevant pages to each laboratory section.

Recommended text book: Appling et al., (2019) Biochemistry, Concepts and Connections, Global Edition eBook (2e)

Additional learning resources will be provided in Canvas for each module or topic. 

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license. You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Additional Information on Assessment

Students must pass the practical (laboratories) and the theory (online assignments, test and exam) independently to pass the course overall.

Special Requirements

ASSESSMENT:You are required to attend an evening test, the date and time for the test is published on the BIOSCI 106 Canvas page.

HEALTH AND SAFETY: Students are required to supply and wear a lab coat and safety glasses while in the teaching lab.

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type1234567

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

Staff welcome feedback on the course throughout the semester, including the SET evaluations. Please contact your course coordinator or student representative at any time with your feedback.

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Additional Information on Tuākana

The School of Biological Sciences has an active Tuākana programme. This course will have a Tuākana tutor and tutorials will be held weekly.You can read more about Tuākana here : https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor. Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Additional Information on Inclusive Learning

You are welcome to discuss your learning needs with the BIOSCI 106 course coordinator, Julie McIntosh (julie.mcintosh@auckland.ac.nz)

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.