BMS2021 Human molecular cell biology
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
BMS2021 Human molecular cell biology is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2026 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 8 units, leading on to 10 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
Reviews
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Requisites
Before BMS2021
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After BMS2021
8 units list BMS2021 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
- BCH3021Cellular organisation: Organelle structure and function in health and diseaseNo reviews yet
- BCH3042Cell signal transduction: Role in cancer and human diseaseNo reviews yet
- BCH3052Protein biology: From sequence to structure and diseaseNo reviews yet
- BME2032Biomedical industry based learningNo reviews yet
- BMS3031Molecular mechanisms of diseaseNo reviews yet
- BMS3052Biomedical basis and epidemiology of human diseaseNo reviews yet
- DEV3011Experimental developmental biology and disease modellingNo reviews yet
- DEV3032Stem cells in development, disease and regenerationNo reviews yet
Enrolment rules
Prohibition: BCH2022, BND2021
Prerequisite: BMS1011
Corequisite: Must be enrolled in one of the following:
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science (including double degree programs)
- Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Scholar Program)
- Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience
Overview
This unit covers the molecular principles of cellular metabolic regulation, metabolic interrelationship of tissues, molecular events associated with the fed and fasted states, and the generation of metabolic energy by oxidation of macronutrients.
It discusses hormone action and the molecular and cellular basis of diseases, and gives an overview of tissue metabolism.
The autonomic control of energy, exercise and metabolism, and how drugs can modulate these processes will be considered and discussed.
The unit will also cover the molecular mechanism of cell growth, differentiation and death, and introduces the basic principles of developmental biology covering cell fate, pattern formation and tissue morphogenesis during embryonic life.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Blended |
Assessment
- Workshop poster presentations (3 x group posters)Presentation45%
- Case study analyses (3 x sets)Written55%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Discuss how energy and nutrients are supplied to mammalian cells and how metabolism is regulated and integrated.
- 2
Discuss the mechanisms by which cells communicate to coordinate metabolism, cell growth, differentiation and cell death.
- 3
Describe the mechanisms by which precursor and stem cells differentiate into mature cells.
- 4
Explain the molecular and cellular basis of selected diseases and how they can be modulated by drugs.
- 5
Demonstrate an ability to present, analyse and interpret data from molecular and cell biological experiments clearly and concisely in oral and written form.
- 6
Demonstrate the ability to work in a team.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Lectures24 hours
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
6 hr directed learning (lectures, workshops and pre- and post- class learning activities)
For full details of the teaching approach to this unit, please refer to Moodle.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Jessica Gibbons
- Professor Timothy Cole
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Jessica Gibbons
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for BMS2021?
BMS2021 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after BMS2021?
BMS2021 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 8 units, including BCH3021, BCH3042, BCH3052, BME2032, BMS3031 and BMS3052. Those lead on to 10 units in all.
When is BMS2021 offered?
In 2026, BMS2021 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does BMS2021 have an exam?
No. BMS2021 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.