Chemistry has changed rapidly over recent decades, and techniques once applied exclusively to small molecules are now routinely used to study and modify larger biomolecules such as proteins. This course provides students with their first introduction to chemical biology, an interdisciplinary field that applies chemical principles and techniques to understand and manipulate biological molecules and systems. The course provides a strong foundation in chemistry while introducing research at the interface of the molecular sciences. Chemical concepts are illustrated throughout by applications to biological systems. Particular emphasis is placed on the forces that determine the structure of proteins, DNA and lipids, interactions between drugs and proteins, protein folding, and the mechanisms by which enzymes catalyse reactions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the physical and chemical principles that underpin biology.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the physical and chemical basis for how and why molecules interact, including drugs.
- Understand and analyse enzyme kinetics and receptor binding parameters.
- Demonstrate an understanding of biophysical techniques for biomolecule analysis, including the capacity to discuss their relative merits and interpret data from those techniques.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of chemical biology in industry and commerce.
- Identify and use appropriate tools to visualise, predict and compare protein structures, including molecular interactions.
Other Information
Hurdle Information:
This course has a hurdle requirement: Chemistry is an experimental discipline requiring the development of hands-on laboratory skills. It is expected that students will attend all laboratory sessions and submit all associated reports. Where there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from attending a lab, missed attendance has to be agreed with the course convener and appropriate supporting documentation submitted through the appropriate channels. There is a minimum lab attendance threshold of 80%. 100% of reports must be submitted and must demonstrate a reasonable attempt to satisfy the requirements of the assignment.
Indicative Assessment
- Written short examinations (4 in total, 10% each) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Assessments of laboratories and workshops (6 in total, 5% each) (Hurdle) (30) [LO 3,4,6]
- End of semester written examination (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- This course has a hurdle requirement: Chemistry is an experimental discipline requiring the development of hands-on laboratory skills. It is expected that students will attend all laboratory sessions and submit all associated reports. Where there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a student from attending a lab, missed attendance has to be agreed with the course convener and appropriate supporting documentation submitted through the appropriate channels. There is a minimum lab attendance threshold of 80%. 100% of reports must be submitted and must demonstrate a reasonable attempt to satisfy the requirements of the assignment. (0) [LO ]
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which consists of 3 x 1 hours of lectures plus 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week, and 6 x 3 hours of labs throughout the semester.
- Approximately 64 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for lectures, tutorials, practical classes and workshops, report writing and preparation for other assessment tasks e.g., examinations.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
The molecules of Life (Kuriyan, Konforti, Wemmer). Garland Science, 2012.Assumed Knowledge
Recommended: BIOL2171 and CHEM2202.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $5040 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $7200 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4068 | 22 Feb 2027 | 01 Mar 2027 | 31 Mar 2027 | 28 May 2027 | In Person | N/A |