Students studying at Campbelltown campus should refer to 300543 - Cell Biology. The cell is the basic unit of life and some basic processes, such as membrane function and the reactions involving DNA, occur in cells of all living organisms. This unit introduces the important biological chemicals involved in those processes and the study of the processes themselves. The unit also examines phenomena such as cell replication, sex cell formation, inheritance, and cell metabolism that are shared by all eukaryotes (animals, protistans, fungi and plants). The biochemical capture of the sun's energy (photosynthesis) is also studied. The evolutionary links between these cellular processes form a framework for the unit, and students consider the origin of life and their own evolution. In addition, students are introduced to the immense potential of recombinant DNA technology.

This unit provides a broad introduction to the fundamental principles common to all branches of chemistry. The unit is intended to serve the needs not only of chemistry majors, but also those intending to specialise in other related disciplines. The unit focuses on scientific notation, nomenclature, chemical equations, stoichiometry, the mole concept, atomic structure, periodicity, electronic configuration, structure and bonding, states of matter, intermolecular forces, properties of solutions, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, and electrochemistry.

This unit is designed to continue the development of students' understanding of the basic principles of chemistry, with an emphasis on the chemistry of carbon compounds. The unit focuses on introductory chemical dynamics, together with an in-depth treatment of the structure, nomenclature and reactivity of the principal organic functional groups. The unit provides a necessary foundation for subsequent related studies in chemistry, biochemistry, food chemistry, nutrition science, toxicology, environmental science, and related biological sciences and technologies.

This unit develops understanding of the structure, function and synthesis of proteins, principles of enzyme function and regulation, and the structures and roles of nucleic acids, chromosomes and genes. Topics include the characteristic features of the four levels of protein structure and their significance for protein function; protein denaturation; enzyme function, kinetics and inhibition, allosteric enzymes, and mechanisms of enzyme regulation; structure of DNA, RNA, chromosomes, genes; the molecular events in transcription and translation in bacteria and eukaryotes, and protein modification and targeting. Complex carbohydrate biochemistry and protein glycosylation is also included.

Microorganisms are important in all aspects of our lives. In this unit students will explore the diversity of microorganisms and their significance in the environment, in foods and industry as well as in health and disease. Students will be introduced to the structure, reproduction, classification, cultivation and enumeration of bacteria, viruses and fungi. The conditions required for growth and survival of microorganisms will be studied as well as physical and chemical methods of control. Students will conduct laboratory exercises designed to develop their skills in culturing and observing microorganisms.

This unit discusses the origins of genetic variation in prokaryotes and explores the structure and metabolic diversity of microorganisms from a variety of habitats including extreme environments. Studies of the biochemistry of prokaryotes focus on metabolic strategies for energy generation and growth in various natural environments. Students are introduced to the applications of microbial metabolism in food, wine and other industries. The principles of classification and identification of bacteria and yeasts are developed. This includes an introduction to molecular systematics and its impact on the classification of living organisms and in areas such as molecular diagnostics and epidemiology. The unit also addresses the principles and applications of recombinant DNA techniques in biotechnology and in the study of microbial physiology and genetics. Laboratory classes introduce students to techniques used to study microbial identification, physiology and genetics.

This unit introduces students to the field of biotechnology and provides a foundation for advanced biotechnology units. It will build on the basic sciences and provide an understanding of the basic principles involved in this field. It will introduce the multidisciplinary nature of biotechnology and provide an overview of biotechnology and the current status of the field.

This unit is an interdisciplinary unit encompassing modern and traditional aspects of the subject. Areas such as environmental, food, plant and molecular biotechnology will be studied. Special emphasis will be given to addressing biotechnological solutions to problems of economic, environmental and health significance. The unit also addresses aspects of commercialization and protection of intellectual property as well as bioethical and safety issues.

This unit focuses on microbial processes in the environment and illustrates how these processes may be employed in the control of pollution problems, pests and diseases, and in the recovery of minerals and fuel from the environment, including: microbial interactions in the environment; model ecosystems in the study of microbial environments; the role of biofilms in biofouling; micro-organisms in the removal of contaminants in the environment; microbial control of plant, pests and diseases; microbial systems in mineral and fuel recovery; strain construction in environmental biotechnology; ethics and the release of genetically engineered micro-organisms.

Fermentation forms an essential component of most biotechnological processes. From the standpoint of biotechnology, it is used to describe any process for the production of a product/service by the culture of microorganisms. This unit will cover the principles, applications, current status and new developments in fermentation science. It will provide an understanding of the different stages involved in a fermentation process, starting from the isolation of a desired organism through to the recovery of a product. The different modes of fermentation will also be dealt with. The applications will focus on commercial fermentations.

This unit provides an understanding of the principles and applications of biotechnology specifically related to the fields of foods and pharmaceuticals, and shows how the concepts in biotechnology are used in these fields. It also gives an overview of the current status of biotechnology in these areas.

Students studying at Campbelltown campus should refer to 300549 - Human Molecular Biology. This unit studies gene regulation at an advanced level, leading into the processes and practical applications of DNA technology. Students gain a thorough grounding in major techniques such as restriction mapping, DNA sequencing, PCR, DNA fingerprinting, southern blotting and gene cloning. Cloning vectors, DNA libraries, genetic engineering in different types of cells and organisms and functional genomics are studied. Students are introduced to bioinformatics and issues in biosafety and ethics relating to gene technology.

This unit introduces theories and techniques of plant biotechnology that are applicable to crop production and improvement. It will furnish students with an understanding of the scientific principles used in the biotechnological approaches to manipulating plants and their genomes. Emphasis will be placed on providing sufficient information and technical expertise to allow graduates to enter commercial, industrial and research employment. The ethical and environmental impacts of genetic engineering and biotechnology are also emphasised.