• study animal biochemistry via online learning
• learn essential foundation knowledge for further study in life sciences, agriculture, environmental science, health science, etc
• this module can give you a credit towards college or university study
• understand your own health and body better
• improve your chance of getting work in animal care, farming, fitness, health or related industries

COURSE STRUCTURE
There are 10 lessons as follows:

1.  Introduction To Biochemistry 

• Basics; atoms, chemical bonds, molecules
• The Periodic Table
• Parts of a Molecule
• Common chemical groups
• Using these groups
• Arrangement of atoms in a molecule
• Chemical Nomenclature
• Hydrocarbons
• Aromaticity
• Organisms and Organic Compounds
• Biochemical Processes in the cell

2.  Lipids and Proteins

• Carbohydrates; types
• Hydrolysis
• Carbohydrate Function
• Lipids
• Fatty Acids
• Triglycerides
• Phospholipids
• Terminology
• Commercially useful fats and lipids
• Proteins
• Functional Categorisation of Proteins
• Proteins in the human diet

3.  Enzymes and Hormones

• Classification of hormones
• Endocrine Glands
• Enzyme activation
• Enzyme deactivation
• Digestion
• Digestive Enzymes
• Digestive Hormones
• Enzyme PBL Project

4.  Nucleic Acids

• Scope
• Nucleotide Structure
• RNA
• DNA
• ATP
• ADP

5. Thermo-regulation

• Raising temperature
• Lowering Temperature
• Effect of Temperature on Enzymes
• Sweat Glands
• Energy Production
• Individual BMR
• Fever

6.  Carbohydrate Metabolism

• Glycogenesis
• Glycogenolysis
• Gluconeogenesis
• Hyperglycaemia
• Hypoglycaemia
• Carbohydrate Oxidation
• Glycolysis Citric Acid Cycle
• Anaerobic Respiration
• Carbohydrate Storage
• Absorption of Carbohydrates
• Carbohydrates in Mammals
• Comparing Energy Pathways
• The Urea Cycle

7.  Absorption

• Digestion
• Digestive Enzymes
• Chemical Digestion
• Absorption
• Peristalsis
• Gastric, Pancreatic and Intestinal Juices

8.  Acidity and Alkalinity

• pH
• Measuring pH
• Buffers
• Animal Acid Base Balance
• Acidosis and Alkalosis
• Mammalian Buffer Systems
• Role of Renal System in Acid Base Balance

9.  Chemical Analysis

• Biochemical Testing
• Concentration testing
• Moles and Molarity
• Chromatography
• Spectrophotometry
• Analysis of Biomolecules
• DNA Composition
• RNA Composition
• Protein Composition
• Titration

10. Biochemical Applications

• Environmental and Agricultural Testing
• Medical Science
• Poisons/Toxins
• Cell Structure

 LEARNING AIMS

• Identify characteristics of common chemical compounds important in animal and human biochemistry.
• Explain the characteristics of major biochemical groups, including carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
• Explain the characteristics of chemicals which control biological processes in animals and humans, including enzymes and hormones.
• Explain the role of nucleic acids in the biology of animals and humans.
• Explain the role of thermo-regulation in animals and humans.
• Explain the role of carbohydrate metabolism in animals and humans.
• Identify the characteristics of acidity and alkalinity in relation to animals and humans.
• Develop simple chemical analysis skills relevant to testing animals.
• Identify applications and uses for biochemical processes and products.

WHAT YOU WILL COVER WHEN STUDYING THIS COURSE 

• Explain the formulae of ten specified chemical compounds commonly found in animals and humans
• Calculate the percentages of elements contained in two specified chemical compounds
• Differentiate between characteristics of major groups of biochemicals.
• Identify differences between monosaccharides
• Differentiate between plant and animal/human biochemistry, with three examples of biochemical processes unique to eachand polysaccharides
• Differentiate between a fat and an oil
• Explain the characteristics of a specified protein formula
• Compare two fibrous proteins with two globular proteins
• Explain the functions of carbohydrates in animals/humans
• Explain two commercial applications for lipids in the learners chosen industry.
• Explain two commercial applications for proteins in the learner’s industry
• Explain two commercial applications for carbohydrates in the industry the learner’s industry
• Distinguish between an enzyme and a hormone
• Explain how one specific enzyme functions in an animal/human
• Explain how one specific hormone functions in an animal/human
• Explain the relevance of hormones to the learner’s chosen industry sector
• Explain the relevance of enzymes to the learner’s chosen industry sector
• Explain the importance of RNA in animals/humans
• Explain the importance of DNA in animals/humans
• Describe the biological and chemical differences between RNA and DNA
• Explain the role of ATP in providing energy for various cellular activities
• Explain the mechanisms of body heat production in animals/humans
• Describe the homeostatic processes which regulate body temperature
• Explain the mechanisms of body heat loss in animals/humans
• List the main biochemical processes involved in animal/human carbohydrate metabolism
• Explain glycolysis, including the sequence of chemical reactions involved
• Explain the Krebs cycle, including the sequence of chemical reactions involved
• Explain the electron transport chain, including the sequence of chemical reactions involved
• Explain differences in animal/human carbohydrate metabolism for a specified situation
• Explain the processes occurring during the absorptive (fed) state
• Explain the processes occurring during the post absorptive (fasting) state Describe three chemical buffering effects
• Explain the role of pH in the control of respiration
• Explain the importance and methods of pH control of human blood
• Identify factors involved in controlling acidity and alkalinity in a specific case study
• Compare a chemical test kits (eg. indicator strips) with chemical meters (eg. haemoglobin meter)
• Explain the practical applications of various analytical techniques in industry
• Determine the value of analytical techniques used in the learners industry sector
• Differentiate between chemical toxicity and tolerance
• Explain the implications of LD50 characteristics of five different chemical substances
• Explain the implications of half-life characteristics of five different chemical substances
• List the active toxins in ten poisonous plants or animals which commonly occur your locality
• Explain the effects of two naturally occurring toxins on the human body
• Explain the function and use of two different plants as medicines, for humans or animals
• Determine three different applications for animal tissue culture

Why Study the Course?

This is a great course to choose, if you want to not only learn about the subject now;
but keep learning after you finish studying. We believe a good course should not only
develop intelligence and knowledge; but also:

• Improve your ability to communicate with others within the discipline
• Develop problem solving skills relevant to this discipline 
• Expand awareness and develop creativity
• Facilitate networking (develop contacts within an industry)
• Develop attributes that set you apart from others in your industry
• Motivate you, build confidence, and more

According to some authorities, success is actually only affected about 20% by your knowledge and intelligence.

Our school works at helping you in a holistic way, to develop all of the things
mentioned above, in a way that relates to the discipline you are studying; and
in this way, giving you the capacity to apply yourself to unanticipated problems,
to understand new information as it emerges, to see and seize on new opportunities
as they reveal themselves, and to continue to grow your abilities within your discipline
as you progress through life after study.

In a world that is changing faster all the time; it is difficult to even be certain how this industry
might change between the start of your course, and the time you finish studying.
With this in mind; any course that is to have long term value in today's world, must develop
broad generic skills (as above). This approach to education is not unique to ACS, but it is
an approach tested, proven and adopted in our courses; and an approach that is also used
by some of the most successful, cutting edge universities and colleges around the world.

Career Opportunities

Understanding the basics f biochemistry is relevant in many different workplaces, from farms to hospitals, and veterinary surgeries to gymnasiums. Study alone can never guarantee career success; but a good education is an important starting point; and this course can provide an added reason for you to be employed in any job that involves services or products used by people or animals.

Success in a career depends upon many things. A course like this is an excellent starting point because it provides a foundation for continued learning, and the means of understanding and dealing with issues you encounter in the workplace.

When you have completed an ACS course, you will have not only learnt about the subject, but you will have been prompted to start networking with experts in the discipline and shown how to approach problems that confront you in this field.

This and every other industry in today’s world is developing in unforeseen ways; and while that is unsettling for anyone who wants to be guaranteed a particular job at the end of a particular course; for others, this rapidly changing career environment is offering new and exciting opportunities almost every month.

If you want to do the best that you can in this industry, you need to recognise that the opportunities that confront you at the end of a course, are probably different to anything that has even been thought of when you commence a course.