Enquiry for Course Details
BIOC3601 Basic metabolism (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department Biomedical Sciences Quota 80
Course Co-ordinator Dr B H B Yuen, Biomedical Sciences < yuenbbh@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr B H B Yuen,Biomedical Sciences)
(Dr E Chan,Biomedical Sciences)
(Dr WW Ng,Biomedical Sciences)
Course Objectives This course aims to provide foundation concepts of metabolism. It will enable students of this course to see how some of the basic concepts in biochemistry (specifically those learned in BIOC1600 and BIOC2600) could be applied to explain one of the most important and cardinal issues of biological life: the acquisition of metabolic energy. The course will lay the foundation for the more advanced courses offered in the Biochemistry Major and will also serve as a useful complement to courses on nutrition and dietetics.
Course Contents & Topics This course focuses on the central metabolic pathways involved in the provision of energy needed by living organisms. Major metabolic pathways covered in this course include those that are involved in the synthesis and breakdown of glucose, glycogen, triacylglycerol, and amino acids.  The metabolism of purines and pyrimidines will also be considered. Emphasis is on the understanding of the metabolic reactions involved and how they are regulated in relation to environmental cues. Metabolic derangements as a basis of diseases will also be discussed.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 achieve a vigorous intellectual appreciation of basic principles of functional organization of metabolic networks
CLO 2 identify one's own gaps of basic knowledge in metabolism and to fill up those gaps from literature resources through effective means or approaches
CLO 3 develop scientific writing and effective oral communication skills for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOC2600 or BIOL2220 or MEDE2301 or BMED2301; and
[Not for students admitted to Year 1 in the academic year 2025-26 and thereafter, who have passed in BIOL3202, or have already enrolled in this course.]
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2026 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2026 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2027 - 2028 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrates thorough and extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Displays a strong analytical ability and logical thinking and is able to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex situations. Consistently able to communicate sophisticated ideas confidently and clearly.
B Demonstrates substantial knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Shows evidence of analytical ability and logical thinking and is sometimes able to apply knowledge to complex situations. Often communicates complex ideas clearly.
C Demonstrates general but incomplete knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Shows evidence of some analytical ability and logical thinking and is sometimes able to apply knowledge to familiar or uncomplicated situations. Sometimes communicates ideas clearly.
D Demonstrates limited knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Shows poor analytical ability and logical thinking and is rarely able to apply knowledge to solve problems. Has difficulty in expressing ideas coherently.
Fail Demonstrates little or no evidence of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lacks analytical ability and logical thinking and is unable to apply knowledge to solve problems. Ineffective at communicating ideas.
Communication-intensive Course Y
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; pentose phosphate pathway; glycogen metabolism; lipid metabolism; amino acid, purine and pyrimidine metabolism; regulation and integration of metabolic pathways 36.0
Tutorials working on problems relating to the lecture topics 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments 60.0 1,2,3
Examination 40.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, GJ Gatto Jr, Stryer L (2015) Biochemistry, 8th ed. W.H. Freeman, New York.
Devlin TM (2011) Textbook of Biochemistry: with Clinical Correlations, 7th ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc, New York.
Nelson DL  (2021) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 7th ed. W.H. Freeman, New York.
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information NIL


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