BIOCHEM 3235 - Cancer, Stem Cells & Development III (Biomed Sc)
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code BIOCHEM 3235 Course Cancer, Stem Cells & Development III (Biomed Sc) Coordinating Unit Molec & Biomedical Science Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 6 Contact 3 x 1 hour lectures per week, 1 x 1 hour tutorial per week, 3 x 5 hour practical per fortnight or PBL for the Semester (total 11.5 hrs/week) Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites (BIOCHEM 2500 and BIOCHEM 2501) or (BIOCHEM 2502 and BIOCHEM 2503) Incompatible BIOCHEM 3001, BIOCHEM 3520 Restrictions Available to BSc (Biomedical Science) students only Assessment Exam on lecture material, practical reports, PBL/Tutorial exercises and online assessment Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Dan Peet
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
1 Understand key theoretical aspects of the regulation of cellular signalling, proliferation and differentiation in the context of embryonic development, stem cells and diseases such as cancer. 2 Understand and apply advanced experimental techniques required to solve specific biochemical problems, and understand of the ethical implications of this research. 3 Plan, perform, interpret, and quantitatively analyse biomedical research using a variety of modern experimental techniques 4 Find, interpret and critically analyse relevant scientific literature and apply it to specific problems in biomedical research. 5 Work in teams and communicate scientific outcomes University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2, 3 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
3, 4, 5 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4, 5, 6 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
5, 6 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
6 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
3, 4, 5 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Laboratory coat, safety glasses and closed shoes.Recommended Resources
Text book: Molecular Biology of the Cell (5th Edn) by Alberts et al., 2008, Published by Garland ScienceOnline Learning
Resource material such as lecture, tutorial, practical and past exams will be available on Myuni.Online assessment will be conducted via Myuni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered by the following means:
3 Lectures of 1 hour each per week.
1 Tutorial of 1 hour per week developing material covered in lectures. The lecturer takes the tutorial classes for their section.
1 Practical of 15 hours per fortnight. (Odd weeks = 5 hours & Even weeks = 10 hour duration) in the first seven weeks of the semester.
The stacked / same time teaching components are the lectures, tutorials and practicals timetabled with the existing course, Cancer, Stem Cells and Development III (BIOCHEM 3001).9
PBL/Tutorial sessions of 5 hours in the final five weeks of the semester (practical timetable).
3 online multiple choice tests of 1 hour duration per semester (weeks 5, 9 and 12, with immediate feedback provided).Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 6 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 24 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
Learning Activities Summary
Schedule Week 1 Mechanisms of Epigenetic Cellular Memory Lecture Week 2 Cell Signalling Pathways Lecture Week 3 Signalling Domains: Structure and Function Lecture Week 4 Signalling Domains: Structure and Function Lecture Week 5 Cancer and metabolism Lecture Week 6 Cancer molecular biology Lecture Week 7 Cancer molecular biology Lecture Week 8 mTOR signalling in cancer Lecture Week 9 Cancer, the immune system and immunotherapy Lecture Week 10 Stem cells/CRISPR technology Lecture Week 11 Cell Differentiation/Neurogenesis Lecture Week 12 In vitro production of neurons and exploring neuronal circuits Lecture -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome Online practical exercise Summative Week 4
6% 3, 4, 5 Online MCQ Formative/summative Week 5
1.7% 1, 2 Written test on lecture material Summative Week 6
20% 1, 2, 3 Practical report Summative Week 7 12% 3, 4, 5 Online MCQ Formative/summative Week 9 1.7% 1, 2 Problem - based learning exercises Formative/summative Week 12 12% 2, 4, 5 Online MCQ Summative/formative Week 12 1.7% 1, 2 Written exam on lecture material Summative Week 14 45% 1,2, 3 Assessment Detail
Online practical exercise (6% of total course grade): Design of tools for CRISPR, including gRNAs, PCR primers, antibodies etc. during allotted practical sessions.
Mid-semester test (20% of total course grade): A 1 hour written test held in week 6, covering the first 4 weeks of lecture material, short and long answer type questions.
Online multiple choice quizzes (5% of total course grade): Three multiple choice tests in weeks 5, 9 and 12 . Encourages revision of the material soon after the relevant lectures, and immediate feedbackprovided to students.
Practical performance and report (12% of total course grade): The seven week long practical exercise will include experimental work, keeping an up to date laboratory notebook, and a final poster presentation in week 7.
Outstanding students may have the option of a laboratory-based research project in place of the practical exercise.
Problem-based learniong exercise (12% of total course grade): Students will complete problem-based learning exercises, using current research problems in biomedical research, with small group oral presentations for assessment.
End of semester written exam: (45% of total course grade) – 2.5 hour written examination covering thelecture material, short and long answer type questions.Submission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted,then a penalty for late submission
will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Provision of Feedback to Students
The assessor usually provides appropriate feedback of assessment tasks to the student by means of
written comments. The student has the opportunity to directly liaise with the assessor to obtain additional feedback and clarification if required. -
Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
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