Offered to students admitted to Year 1 in ALL
Major/Minor ALL
Course Type
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y N
Course Code BIOC2600
Date2023/09/24 20:45
Enquiry for Course Details
BIOC2600 Basic biochemistry (6 credits) Academic Year 2023
Offering Department Biomedical Sciences Quota 300
Course Co-ordinator Dr M Kotaka, Biomedical Sciences < masayo@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Dr A S L Wong,Biomedical Sciences)
(Dr C M Qian,Biomedical Sciences)
(Dr M Kotaka,Biomedical Sciences)
(Dr P M W Hung,Biomedical Sciences)
Course Objectives This course is designed to present an overview of biochemistry of fundamental importance to the life process. We aim to develop appreciation of the basics in biochemistry as a common ground for science and non-science students to progress into their areas of specialization. Students intending to pursue further studies in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology will find this course particularly helpful.
Course Contents & Topics Structure and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, amino acids and proteins; enzymes and co-enzymes; basic bioenergetics; key metabolic processes in a living cell; signaling across cell membranes; flow of genetic information
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 relate the structures to functions of major biomolecules including carbohydrates, amino acids and lipids
CLO 2 explain the fundamentals and significance of bioenergetics, metabolism and intracellular signaling
CLO 3 explain the fundamentals and importance of the flow of genetic information
CLO 4 explain the molecular mechanisms of disorders related to metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids and/or lipids
CLO 5 demonstrate skills in working and collaborating together with colleagues in group assignments
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOC1600 or BIOL1110 or ENGG1207 or BMED1207; and
Not for students who have passed in BIOL2220 or MEDE2301 or BMED2301, or have already enrolled in these courses.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2023 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2021 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2021 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2020 Major in Biological Sciences ( Core/Compulsory )
2020 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2020 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Core/Compulsory )
2020 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2020 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2020 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2020 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2019 Major in Biological Sciences ( Core/Compulsory )
2019 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2019 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Core/Compulsory )
2019 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2019 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2019 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2019 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2023 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2023 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2023 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2022 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2022 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2022 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2021 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2021 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2021 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2020 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2020 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1 >
2020 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2020 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2020 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2020 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2019 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2019 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2019 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2019 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2019 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
Offer in 2023 - 2024 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2024 - 2025 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrates thorough and complete mastery of the entire range of knowledge and analytical skills as required for maximal attainment in all the course learning outcomes; excellence in critical thinking towards application of the knowledge in a range of contexts.
B Demonstrates substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and analytical skills as required for attainment of the majority of course learning outcomes; good evidence of critical thinking towards application of the knowledge in a range of contexts.
C Demonstrates general but incomplete command of knowledge and analytical skills as required for attainment of adequate course learning outcomes; some evidence critical thinking towards application of the knowledge in a range of contexts.
D Demonstrates partial but limited command of knowledge and analytical skills as required for attainment of some of the course learning outcomes; limited evidence of critical thinking towards application of the knowledge in a range of contexts.
Fail Demonstrates little or no evidence of command of knowledge and analytical skills as required for attainment of the course learning outcomes; lacking in critical thinking towards application of the knowledge in a range of contexts.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture-based course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Lectures 36
Tutorials 12
Reading / Self study 100
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Assignments Assignments 20%; Quizzes 30% 50 CLO 1,2,3,4,5
Examination 50 CLO 1,2,3,4
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Nelson DL, Cox MM (2017) Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 7th ed. W.H. Freeman, New York.
Any other Biochemistry textbooks, e.g. Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, GJ Gatto Jr, Stryer L (2019) Biochemistry, 9th ed. W.H. Freeman, New York.
Course Website NIL
Additional Course Information Also offered as BMED2301 "Life Sciences I (Biochemistry)" to students of the Faculty of Engineering. Students who have passed BMED2301 (previously known as MEDE2301) is considered to have passed BIOC2600.
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