Biochemistry (2022)

Biochemistry is the explanation of life in molecular terms. It involves the study of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids which are the fundamental molecules of life. Biochemists try to understand how these molecules interact in living organisms, in health and disease. Biochemistry is one of the fastest growing areas of modern science. By taking a combination of papers from both Biological Sciences and Chemistry students will gain a solid grounding in the molecular and chemical principles underlying Biochemistry.

Biochemistry is available as a minor.

To complete a minor in Biochemistry, students must complete 60 points from the papers listed below, including BIOMO301 and a further 45 points (of which at least 15 points must be BIOMO coded and 15 points must be CHEMY coded).

Note: There will be no new enrolments into the Biochemistry major from 2018. Students who commenced a major in Biochemistry in 2017 or prior should contact the Division of Health, Engineering, Computing and Science for advice.


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  • 100 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    BIOMO101Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology - Mātai Pūtau a Mātai Rāpoi Ngota Koiora15.022B (Hamilton)
    An introduction to the central concepts of Molecular and Cellular Biology, including the ultrastructure and function of cells, the biochemical processes involved, and the role of DNA in cellular function, inheritance and evolution. He whakataki tenei pepa i nga aria pokapu o te Matai Putau, Matai Rapoi hoki, tae atu ana ki te ngota...
    CHEMY102Chemical Reactivity - Tauhohehohe Matū15.022B (Hamilton)
    A theoretical and practical course covering aspects of physical and organic chemistry. This course is required for the chemistry major. He pepa a-aria, a-mahinga hoki hei tirotiro i nga tuahuaranga o te matuora a-kikokiko, a-paraumu hoki He pepa matua o roto o te tohu matuora.
  • 200 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    BIOMO201Biochemistry15.022A (Hamilton)
    The aim of this paper is to familiarize students with the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates (as fundamental molecules of life). Students will be introduced to molecular techniques used to study these molecules and gain an appreciation of how they interact in living organisms in health and d...
    CHEMY201Organic Chemistry15.022B (Hamilton)
    This paper covers aspects of organic chemistry including reaction mechanisms with carbanion and radical intermediates; mechanisms of reactions of carbonyl groups and multiple electrophilic substitutions of aromatic rings, also an introduction to carbohydrate chemistry is provided.
    CHEMY202Physical Chemistry15.022B (Hamilton)
    This course covers aspects of physical chemistry including thermodynamics and phase equilibria; chemical kinetics; conductance and electrochemistry.
  • 300 Level

    Code Paper Title Points Occurrence / Location
    BIOMO301Advanced Biochemistry15.022B (Hamilton)
    This paper builds on the principles of biochemistry introduced in BIOMO201 to examine molecular mechanisms underlying cellular communication and trafficking of proteins between organelles, cellular stress responses, cell death, and the degradation of biomolecules. Students will also examine the molecular basis of human diseases suc...
    CHEMY301Advanced Organic Chemistry15.022A (Hamilton)
    This paper covers advanced aspects of organic chemistry including pericyclic reactions, natural product chemistry, organic synthesis including retrosynthetic analysis and stereo-electronic influences in carbohydrate chemistry.

2022 Catalogue of Papers information current as of : 29 November 2023 7:52pm

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