Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOC3604 Essential techniques in biochemistry and molecular biology (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biomedical Sciences Quota 70
Course Co-ordinator Dr B H B Yuen, Biomedical Sciences < yuenbbh@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr B H B Yuen,Biomedical Sciences)
(Dr. WW Ng,Biomedical Sciences)
(Prof D K Y Shum,Biomedical Sciences)
(Prof Z J Zhou,Biomedical Sciences)
(Prof. K Zhou,Biomedical Sciences)
Course Objectives To give students a general overview of different experimental approaches and model systems, and to provide students with hands-on experience in basic biochemical and molecular techniques.
Course Contents & Topics Basic concepts in experimental science; writing of lab notebooks; experimental approaches - genetic, biochemical, molecular, genomic and others; methods for isolation and analysis of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids; subcellular fractionation; enzyme assays and spectrophotometry; basic nucleic acid manipulation - PCR, site-directed mutagenesis, blotting and hybridization, cloning strategies, restriction mapping.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe and explain the principles underlying various biochemical and molecular techniques
CLO 2 apply different techniques to isolate and characterize carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids in hands-on laboratory sessions
CLO 3 interpret and discuss scientific data using appropriate scientific language
CLO 4 collaborate effectively with team members in laboratory sessions
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOC2600 or BIOL2220 or BMED2301 or MEDE2301
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 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 )
2021 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        2nd sem    Examination May     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrates thorough and extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Shows strong analytical ability and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought. Competently conducts laboratory skills and techniques with confidence and can critically appraise data to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions.
B Demonstrates substantial knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Shows evidence of critical thinking and analytical skills. Conducts laboratory skills and techniques with confidence and can appraise data to draw appropriate conclusions.
C Demonstrates general but incomplete knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Shows some evidence of critical thinking and analytical skills. Conducts laboratory skills and techniques to a satisfactory level of competence and can sometimes correctly appraise data and draw appropriate conclusions.
D Demonstrates partial but limited knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Shows limited critical thinking and analytical skills. Displays poor laboratory skills and techniques and is rarely able to use data to draw appropriate conclusions.
Fail Demonstrates little or no evidence of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lacks analytical ability and logical thinking. Displays ineffective lab skills and techniques and is unable to use data to draw appropriate conclusions.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 72.0
Lectures 12.0
Tutorials 6.0
Reading / Self study 76.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments Written assignments (Lab reports and reading assignments) 25%; Lab skill and problem-solving exercises 25%) 50.0 1,2,3,4
Examination 50.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Cox MM, Doudna JA and O'Donnell M (2015) Molecular Biology: Principles and Practice, 2nd ed. Macmillan.
Scopes RK (1994) Protein Purification: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed, Springer Advanced Texts in Chemistry, Springer-Verlag, New York.
Wilson K, Walker KM (2010) Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 7th ed. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information NIL


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