Recommended Study Sequence

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300222 - Biology 2. This unit demonstrates the diversity of living organisms and viruses, with particular emphasis on those that affect human health. Students will discover how these organisms are classified, and how they have evolved. Besides exploring the breadth of biodiversity, the unit also examines the links between organisms. Evolutionary advances made by different taxonomic groups to develop mechanisms for reproduction and growth, respiration, maintaining water balance, excretion, digestion, and coordination will be compared. Ultimately human health depends on a sustainable environment and the study of ecosystems will link the biodiversity components of the unit.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300224 - Chemistry 1. This unit provides an introduction to the principles fundamental to all branches of chemistry. It focuses on atomic structure, periodicity, electronic configuration, structure and bonding, chemical equations, stoichiometry, the mole concept, gas laws, states of matter, intermolecular forces and properties of solutions, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry, scientific notation, and nomenclature. The unit will emphasise their application to biomedical science, but it is intended to provide a broad, rigorous foundation for studies in all areas of chemistry.

This unit provides an introduction to physics for science and medical science students as well as providing a basis for further study of more advanced physics for students pursuing courses in nanotechnology, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences. It provides a foundation to understand the physical principles which underlay scientific instrumentation and analysis Topics covered include systems of units; Introductory mechanics, Newton’s laws, work, conservation of energy and momentum; Electricity, electrostatics, DC and AC circuits and components, introductory electromagnetism; Waves and optics, electromagnetic radiation, reflection, refraction, image formation, polarisation, interference and diffraction.

This unit is designed to assist in the transition from secondary school mathematics to university first year level mathematics, and gradually bring students to the required standard. It provides a sound foundation in basic mathematical tools in the areas of algebra, trigonometry, probability and calculus, which are particularly relevant to first year mathematics and statistics core subjects. The algebra section revises basic arithmetic manipulation before introducing functions, polynomial, logarithmic and exponential functions, solving equations, matrix manipulation and applications. The probability section covers basic concepts of probability, including permutations, combinations and probability calculations. The trigonometry section introduces the concept of angles, trigonometric functions and their fundamental identities. The calculus section includes limits, differentiation, maximum and minimum values, graphing and integration. These mathematical methods and simple concepts are illustrated using practical examples derived from many different subject areas. Students entering without assumed knowledge of HSC Mathematics are advised to take this unit as an elective.

This level one hundred unit provides a solid foundation in the theory and applications of differential and integral calculus, as well as some introductory work on complex numbers and matrix algebra. This unit provides the necessary preparation for many of the later-stage mathematics units.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300221 - Biology 1. Cells are the foundations of life, and an understanding of cell structure and function is required for anyone working in the medical science field. Most diseases result from or lead to malfunctioning of some aspect of cellular processes such as transport across membranes or cell replication. Underlying normal cell function, however, are the molecules of which cells are composed. Consequently, the unit will introduce lipids, carbohydrates, amino and nucleic acids, then study the processes by which these molecules are manipulated to build and recycle organelles, store and transport energy and transmit genetic information in both the prokaryote and eukaryote domains. Accordingly, the unit will include cell replication, sex cell formation, Mendelian genetics as well as cellular respiration and DNA replication, transcription and translation. The role of DNA technology in biomolecular science will be an important component of the unit and will unify the several topics listed above.

Students studying at Hawkesbury or Parramatta campus should refer to 300225 - Chemistry 2. This unit uses medicinal chemistry to continue the development of students' understanding of the basic foundations of chemistry begun in Principles of Chemistry. The unit focuses on introductory chemical and pharmacological kinetics, introduces coordination compounds such as haemoglobin, and goes on to an in-depth treatment of the structure, reactivity and nomenclature of the principal organic functional groups. These are discussed in the context of their role in life, medicine and disease. The unit provides a necessary foundation for subsequent studies in chemistry, biochemistry, and related areas.

Students will learn about exciting and sometimes contentious issues in the biomolecular sciences: including stem cell research; cloning and genetic engineering; new drug development; nanoscience and human health; circadian rhythms; origins of new viruses; the human genome and human health; NMR and health; fraud, plagiarism and ethics in science; finding new drugs; computer-aided drug design; biosafety and biosecurity. Guest lecturers will present special insights into new developments. Students will gain practical experience in skills which are essential for biomolecular science: scientific writing, locating and accessing information for researching a scientific topic, and oral presentation skills.