Rapid advances in plant and animal biochemistry over recent years have fundamentally changed fields of science ranging from medicine to agriculture and food security. This course will present these recent advances exploring both the specifics and commonalities that exist in biochemistry when comparing mammalian and plant systems. The medical biochemistry stream will cover topics such as cancer metabolism, personalised immunology, molecular mechanisms related to drug development, ion channel function and aspects of translational medicine.  In the plant stream, topics to be covered include plant disease, CO2 fixation, photosynthesis and climate change. Lectures will be presented from experts from both the John Curtin School of Medical Research and the Research School of Biology. This course offers an excellent opportunity for students to understand how biochemistry impacts everyday life, and expand their knowledge of biochemistry across a platform of diverse and important disciplines.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Compare and contrast recent advances in plant and mammalian biochemistry.
2. Understand the biochemical evolution of photosynthesis and the specific signalling and biochemical processes involved in plant-pathogen interactions.
3. Understand the role that molecules play in a numbers of disease states and analyse the therapies used to combat these disorders.
4. Research and read the literature critically to assimilate views on new findings.

Research-Led Teaching

Each of the lecturers in this course is an active researcher with expertise in areas of research closely related to their lecture modules. As appropriate, their lectures will draw on that expertise and include examples of their own research to illustrate advances in our understanding and questions that still need to be answered about the animal and plant biochemistry.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course Introduction + Medical assignment tutorial - A/Prof. Tamas FischerFirst lecture module: Epigenetics, chromatin and genome organisation A/Prof. Tamas Fischer	Canvas quiz due after module 1
2	Phase-separation and its relevance in medical biology  Dr. Rippei Hayashi	Canvas quiz due after module 2
3	RNA biology and RNA-based applications to medicine  Prof. Thomas Preiss, Dr. Yoshika Janapala, Dr. Marco Guarnacci
4	The role of calcium in mammalian brain Dr. Ehsan Kheradpezhouh	Canvas quizzes due after modules 3 and 4 joint tutorialMedical assignment presentation week
5	Personalised Immunology  Dr. Vicki Athanasopoulos	Canvas quiz due after module 5
6		Mid-semester assessment
7	Plant ion-solute transport Dr. Annamaria De Rosa	Tutorial for plant assignment
8	Plant ion-solute transport Dr. Samantha McGaughey	Canvas quiz due after module 6Written test for plant assignment during tutorial
9	Carbon metabolism Dr. Kavya Yalamanchili	Canvas quiz due after module 7Written test for plant assignment during tutorial
10	Structure and function of protein kinases in plant immunity Prof. John Rathjen	Canvas quiz due after module 8Written test for plant assignment during tutorial
11	Plant-pathogen metabolism Prof. Peter Solomon	Canvas quiz due after module 9
12	Plant redox homeostasis and signalling Dr. Kai Chan	Canvas quiz due after module 10Written test for plant assignment during tutorial

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Medical assignment - presentation	20 %	16/03/2026	30/03/2026	1,2,4,5,6,7
Plant assignment - research paper analysis	20 %	*	*	1,2,4,5,6,7
Tutorial quizzes	10 %	*	*	1,3
Mid-semester assessment: in-person written exam	25 %	02/04/2026	10/05/2026	1,3,5,6,7
Final exam	25 %	04/06/2026	09/07/2026	1,3,5,6,7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Canvas’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

There is no course requirement to pass the exams to pass the course.

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date for mid-semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held; the due and return date for end of semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and the date official end of Semester results are released on ISIS. Students should consult the course Canvas site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Medical assignment - presentation

The student is asked to research and prepare a presentation about one of the five questions which is related to each lecture topic. Presentation is limited to 12 mins, followed by a 12 mins discussion about the topic with the lecturer.

Assessment Criteria:

•     Demonstration of a concise presentation, with good structure, well designed slides and informative figures. (6 marks)

•     A clear grasp of fundamental knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to the problem under consideration. (6 marks)

•     Critical analysis of researched material. (5 marks)

•     Effective use of resource material. Are your references: recent, relevant, referenced, peer-reviewed. (1 mark)

•     Overall mastery of the topic. (2 marks)

Assessment Task 2

Plant assignment - research paper analysis

As part of this assignment, students will read up to five selected research papers—one for each lecture module—available on Canvas. Using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, students will create concise 300-word summaries for each paper. Students will then complete a written test during tutorials to assess their understanding of the research findings in the papers. During the test, students may refer to their AI summary and a printed copy of the research paper. The two highest quiz scores will count toward the final course grade

Assessment Task 3

Tutorial quizzes

A Canvas quiz will be held immediately after each module and will be worth 1% per quiz. There are 10 modules so these quizzes will total 10% of your final mark. These quizzes will be typically be multiple choice, open book, will run for no longer than 30 mins, and be available for 72 h after the completion of a module.

Assessment Task 4

Mid-semester assessment: in-person written exam

Mid-Semester in-class assessment (examination) worth 25% will assess the content from the first term of semester.

Assessment Task 5

Final exam

The final exam held in the end of semester examination period assesses the content from term 2.

The date range indicates the start of the end of semester exam period and the date official end of semester results are released on ANUHub. Please check the course Canvas site and the ANU final Examination Timetable https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/examination-timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the exam.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Marks for assignments will be returned via Canvas.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of assignments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students