Course Description: This course covers the metabolism of the major nutrients: 

• Carbohydrates
• Fats
• Amino acids

Introductory lectures are focused on:

• Protein structure
• Enzyme function
• Regulation
• Principles of energy metabolism.  

In the second half, lectures focus on:

• Metabolism of macronutrients is discussed at tissue, cellular and molecular level.

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but will be assessed separately.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the major metabolic pathways involved in the degradation of nutrients in the human body
2. Understand principles of biochemical methods and be able to use them with appropriate instruction
3. Understand the basis of reactivity of biologically relevant molecules and their interactions
4. Critically analyse and evaluate experimental data
5. Critique biochemical methods and use library research to evaluate research data

Assessment will be based on:

• Two library projects - students investigate methods to analyse biomolecules (15% each; LO 1, 3, 4, 5) 
• Five practical class reports (8% each; LO 1, 2, 3, 4) 
• Final exam covering the complete course material including practical classes (30%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

Twenty-eight lectures (2-3 per week), six tutorials and five laboratory sessions of four hours each.

Requires Bachelor of Science or equivalent with a major in the field of biological sciences with relevant experience or academic achievement; specific knowledge in the area of cell and molecular biology is required.

Bachelor of Science or equivalent with a major in the field of biological sciences with relevant experience or academic achievement; specific knowledge in the area of cell and molecular biology is required.

Campbell, M.K & Farrell, S.O. 2006. Biochemistry. Brooks/Cole.