Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOL2220 Principles of biochemistry (6 credits) Academic Year 2025
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 100
Course Co-ordinator Prof C S C Lo, Biological Sciences < clivelo@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof C S C Lo,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives This course is designed to provide undergraduate (non-biochemistry major) an overview of fundamental concepts in biochemistry as well as hands-on experience in biochemical techniques.
Course Contents & Topics An introduction to various biomolecules in terms of their structures, functions, syntheses and metabolisms, with emphasis on amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.  The correlations between their biochemical properties and their roles in various life processes will be illustrated.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 describe the key structural features of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleotides
CLO 2 understand the basic enzyme kinetic properties
CLO 3 explain how the common sugars, fatty acids and amino acids are metabolized and synthesized in living cells
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOL1110; and
Not for students who have passed in BIOC2600, or have already enrolled in this course.
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2025 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Biological Sciences ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biochemistry ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Biochemistry ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Food & Nutritional Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Minor in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology ( Disciplinary Elective )
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 )
2021 Minor in Plant Science ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2025 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2025 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2024 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Food & Nutritional Science < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology < PLO 1,2 >
2024 Major in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (Intensive) < PLO 1,2 >
2023 Major in Biochemistry < PLO 1,2,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
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 1,2,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
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 1,2,3,4,5 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3 >
2021 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
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 >
Offer in 2025 - 2026 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge and skills required for attaining all the course learning outcomes. Show strong analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, with evidence of original thought, and ability to apply knowledge to a wide range of complex, familiar and unfamiliar situations. Integration of the full range of appropriate theories, principles, evidence and techniques
B Demonstrate substantial command of a broad range of knowledge and skills required for attaining at least most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to familiar and some unfamiliar situations. General integration of theories, principles, evidence and techniques
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some analytical and critical abilities and logical thinking, and ability to apply knowledge to most familiar situations. Some partial integration of theories, principles, evidence and techniques
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes. Show evidence of some coherent and logical thinking, but with limited analytical and critical abilities. Show limited ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Limited integration of theories, principles, evidence and techniques
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes. Lack of analytical and critical abilities, logical and coherent thinking. Show very little or no ability to apply knowledge to solve problems. Little or no or inapt integration of theories, principles, evidence and techniques
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Laboratory 3 laboratory sessions 24.0
Lectures 24.0
Tutorials 12.0
Reading / Self study 100.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Examination 50.0 1,2,3
Laboratory reports 15.0 1,2,3
Test 35.0 1,2,3
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 L.A. Moran, H.R. Horton, K.G. Scrimgeour, M.D. Perry: Principles of Biochemistry 5th edition (Pearson International Edition)
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk/
Additional Course Information


Back  /  Home