Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (23/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Chemistry & Molec Biosciences
The understanding of molecular structure and function is of central importance to students undertaking a major in the biological or chemical fields. This course focuses on concepts of DNA/RNA, protein, lipid and carbohydrate relating structure to function. Some content and assignments are based on current literature describing recent DNA and protein structures and how structure can inform about function. Laboratory work will emphasize the techniques required to analyse biomolecules in the context of a student-driven synthetic biology project.
In BIOC3900, you will further develop your understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology initiated in BIOC2900. You will learn about fundamental concepts of macromolecular structure and function, biochemical energy transduction, information transfer, systems integration and molecular evolution in the context of several “big questions” at the frontiers of research today. Parallel themes in each module will cover the structure and function of major biological molecules and fundamental biochemical functions common to all kingdoms of life. Examples relevant to human medicine will be included but the focus is broader than on simply human or mammalian biochemistry. Practicals focussed on synthetic and structural biology will integrate and synthesise your prior learning and introduce you to current research techniques.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
BIOC2000 or BIOC2900
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CHEM2052 or BIOC2001 or BIOC2052
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
BIOC3000 (non-advanced) and BIOC7100 (co-taught)
Restrictions
Available to students enrolled in the BAdvSc(Hons). Available to other students by application to course coordinator.
Course staff
Course coordinator
Lecturer
Associate Professor Michael Landsberg
Professor Elizabeth Gillam
Dr Anne Sawyer
Professor Benjamin Schulz
Professor Bostjan Kobe
Professor James Fraser
Dr Ariel Isaacs
Professor Daniel Watterson
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Please refer to the timetable on the BIOC3000/3900/7100 blackboard site for the most current timetable information as not all learning activities are scheduled in every week.
Aims and outcomes
This biochemistry and molecular biology course will provide third level undergraduate students with an understanding of the structural biology of biomolecules, the way in which biological information transfer occurs in different molecular contexts (e.g. regulation of gene expression and transduction of environmental signals), and the mechanisms by which the evolutionary process shapes protein function at the molecular level. We will explore the ways in which an understanding of molecular structure and function can be used to design novel bio-inspired systems and devices using engineered genes and proteins as bio-bricks for synthetic biology. Methods for structure determination, namely X-ray crystallography and CryoEM will be covered along with other contemporary molecular techniques in the context of two extended practicals in synthetic biology and structure determination respectively. Through BIOC3900, students will develop an awareness of good scientific practice (both in the laboratory and in writing up and reporting on published data) and the different styles of communication used in science. They will further explore these aspects of professional scientific practice and have a chance to express their creativity in preparing a research proposal for the Australasian Synbio Challenge.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Design and interpret experiments to examine the activity of enzymes.
LO2.
Competently discuss the structure and function of important biological molecules including (but not exclusively) glycoproteins, enzymes, RNA and DNA binding proteins, ion channels and membrane trafficking proteins.
LO3.
Suggest appropriate experimental tools that can be used to learn about the structure, function and activity of biological macromolecules, their capabilities and limitations. These include X-ray crystallography, cryo_EM, mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectrometry, spectrofluorimetry, and CRISPR gene editing.
LO4.
Explain how synthetic biology approaches can be used to engineer novel enzymes and devices to address industrial challenges.
LO5.
Competently discuss some of the big questions at the forefront of research in biochemistry and molecular biology today.
LO6.
Demonstrate what constitutes good scientific practice.
LO7.
Identify and competently use appropriate styles of communication for reporting scientific results for different purposes.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution |
Synthetic biology practical report
|
25% |
23/04/2026 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution |
Structural biology practical report
|
20% |
29/05/2026 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
55% |
End of Semester Exam Period 6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Synthetic biology practical report
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
23/04/2026 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L06, L07
Task description
Students will undertake a series of student-directed practical exercises. Experiments will be planned out in tutorials prior to the class and students are expected to plan and write up their experiments in a laboratory notebook weekly.
At the completion of this practical block, students will need to prepare and submit a practical report for assessment. Further details will be made available on the Course Blackboard site.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle/s relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Submit your Research Proposal through the course Turnitin submission point in Blackboard. Before submitting your assessment item to Turnitin please name your file in the following way. FAMILY NAME_GivenName_StudentID_CourseCode_AssignmentName For example: Bob Smith (ID: 54329876) would name his ABCD1234 essay 1 in the following way. SMITH_Bob_54329876_ABCD1234_Essay1
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension applications must be received no later than 24 hours after the published assessment due date and time.
Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here.
For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D).
Information on medical certificates
Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.
In most instances one or more hurdles will apply to your assessment item so you will need to submit it to fulfill the requirements of the course regardless of how late it is and the mark you are likely to be awarded.
Structural biology practical report
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
29/05/2026 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06, L07
Task description
Students will have the opportunity to learn and implement aspects of two commonly used research techniques for determining molecular structure – X-ray crystallography and electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM). The practical is focused on the structure of a particular protein – ferritin – which is an important protein for storage and transport of intracellular iron. In order to determine the structure of a protein by X-ray crystallography, it is first necessary to grow crystals of the protein of interest, and students will set up crystallisation trials for ferritin as well as a series of control proteins. Students will then learn about the process of obtaining diffraction data from crystals, and also about how to collect data by cryo-EM, which is particularly useful in cases where crystallisation fails. Students will then have the opportunity to process images of ferritin obtained by cryo-EM through to the point of obtaining a high resolution structure and will explore and interpret this structure further using molecular visualisation and model building.
At the completion of this practical block, students will need to prepare and submit a practical report for assessment. Further details will be made available on the Course Blackboard site.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT)
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle/s relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Submit your Structural Biology Prac Report through the course Turnitin submission point in Blackboard. Before submitting your assessment item to Turnitin please name your file in the following way. FAMILY NAME_GivenName_StudentID_CourseCode_AssignmentName For example: Bob Smith (ID: 54329876) would name his ABCD1234 essay 1 in the following way. SMITH_Bob_54329876_ABCD1234_Essay1
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Extension applications must be received no later than 24 hours after the published assessment due date and time.
Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here.
For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D).
Information on medical certificates
Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.
In most instances one or more hurdles will apply to your assessment item so you will need to submit it to fulfil the requirements of the course regardless of how late it is and the mark you are likely to be awarded.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 55%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
6/06/2026 - 20/06/2026
- Other conditions
- Secure.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The final exam will consist of short answer questions based on the lecture content.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT)
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct
Hurdle requirements
See ADDITIONAL COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle/s relating to this assessment item.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Some engagement with the assessment tasks; however no demonstrated evidence of understanding of the concepts in the field of study The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Inability to apply knowledge and skills The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Emerging ability to apply knowledge and skills The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Acceptable application of knowledge and skills The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Effective application of knowledge and skills The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Extensive application of knowledge and skills The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Original, novel and/or creative application of knowledge and skills The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Additional course grading information
Assessment Hurdles
In order to pass this course, you must meet ALL of the following requirements (if you do not meet these requirements, the maximum grade you will receive will be a 3):
- You must obtain an overall mark of 40% or more on the end of semester exam; and
- You must complete 100% of the laboratory component of the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Assessment Submission
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure the on time, correct and complete submission of all assessment items.
Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (for example, screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
In the case of a Blackboard outage, contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.
Assessment/Attendance
Notify your Course Coordinator as soon as you become aware of any issue that may affect your ability to meet the assessment/attendance requirements of the course. The my.UQ website and the Course Profile (CP) for your course provide information about your course requirements, the rules associated with your courses and services offered by the University.
A note for repeating students in this course
Only learning activities and/or assessment items completed during the study period of enrolment, including any approved extensions, may contribute to your grade in this course. The whole or partial use of assessment items previously submitted for the same course, for a course at any institution, or for published material, is not permitted without written permission of the Course Coordinator.
Important Note
Turnitin is to be used for assignments/laboratory reports to check for plagiarism. Penalties can be severe for plagiarism.
The University has adopted the following definition of plagiarism: Plagiarism is the act of misrepresenting as one's own original work the ideas, interpretations, words or creative works of another either intentionally or unintentionally. These include published and unpublished documents, designs, music, sounds, images, photographs, computer codes and ideas gained through working in a group. These ideas, interpretations, words or works may be found in print and/or electronic media.
Students should read the UQ Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Blackboard
Information relevant to the course can be found on the BIOC3000/BIOC3900/BIOC7100 Blackboard website at learn.uq.edu.au
Please check the Announcements section of the Blackboard site regularly for information updates and read all course emails promptly and carefully.
This is how we communicate important information to you in this course.
Past exam papers
Past exam papers are available via the UQ library. However some questions may not be relevant to the current year due to slight changes in content. The lecturers in the course will also provide examples of the types of exam questions that you can expect for BIOC3900.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 2 |
Lecture |
Module 1 - Gillam Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Week 1 |
Lecture |
Introduction to course |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 7 |
Practical |
Synthetic Biology Practical Students will undertake a series of student-directed practical exercises. Experiments will be planned out in tutorials prior to the class and students are expected to plan and write up their experiments in a laboratory notebook, in IMRaD format (Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion). In the final week of the practical, students will design and carry out their own independent experiment, from which they will prepare a prac report for assessment. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L06, L07 |
Tutorial |
Tutorials supporting the Synthetic Biology practical Two one-hour tutorials will be held in weeks 2 and 7 supporting the SynBio practical sessions and preparation of assessment. Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L06, L07 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 3 To Week 4 |
Lecture |
Module 2 - Sawyer Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 5 To Week 6 |
Lecture |
Module 3 - Schulz Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 7 To Week 8 |
Lecture |
Module 4 - Kobe Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 8 To Week 12 |
Practical |
Structural Biology Practical Students will have the opportunity to learn and implement aspects of two commonly used research techniques for determining molecular structure – X-ray crystallography and electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM). The practical is focused on the structure of a particular protein – ferritin – which is an important protein for storage and transport of intracellular iron. In order to determine the structure of a protein by X-ray crystallography, it is first necessary to grow crystals of the protein of interest, and students will set up crystallisation trials for ferritin as well as a series of control proteins. Students will then learn about the process of obtaining diffraction data from crystals, and also about how to collect data by cryo-EM, which is particularly useful in cases where crystallisation fails. Students will then have the opportunity to process images of ferritin obtained by cryo-EM through to the point of obtaining a high resolution structure and will explore and interpret this structure further using molecular visualisation and model building. Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L06, L07 |
Multiple weeks From Week 9 To Week 10 |
Lecture |
Module 5 - Landsberg Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05, L06 |
Multiple weeks From Week 11 To Week 12 |
Lecture |
Module 6 - Fraser Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L05, L06 |
Week 13 |
Lecture |
Review Session Review Q&A session with lecturers in the course. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.