Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module FOUN0157: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOCHEMISTRY

Department: Foundation Year [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

FOUN0157: FOUNDATIONS OF BIOCHEMISTRY

Type Open Level 0 Credits 10 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To encourage students to develop confidence in their own abilities in a science subject.
  • to develop students' learning skills.
  • to introduce a basic bank of knowledge on which students can build either by the process of self-study or in further courses of directed study.
  • to develop students' practical skills in biology.

Content

  • Biochemistry.
  • biological molecules and their levels of structure.
  • food tests.
  • enzymes.
  • inhibition.
  • transport across cell membranes.
  • respiration.
  • glycosis, Krebs cycle, Electron Transfer Chain, membranes and ATP production, anaerobic respiration.
  • photosynthesis.
  • pigments, chloroplasts, light-dependent and light-independent reactions, photosystems, membranes and ATP production, compensation point.
  • plant regulation.
  • hormones.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will have acquired the knowledge to be able to:
  • differentiate between the different types of biological molecules.
  • describe the action of enzymes.
  • explain how the biochemistry of respiration and photosynthesis are related.
  • differentiate between the different processes of cellular transport.
  • describe the action of different plant hormones.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
  • carry out basic laboratory procedures safely.
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the module the students will:
  • be able to communicate effectively in writing
  • be able to apply number both in the tackling of numerical problems and in the collecting, recording, interpreting and presenting of data
  • be able to demonstrate problem solving skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Theory, initial concepts and research techniques will be introduced during lectures and demonstrations.
  • Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of practicals, structured exercises, group work, discussions and library assignments during tutorials and students' own time.
  • Knowledge and understanding of concepts will be assessed by a written assignment and lab report.
  • Knowledge and ability to use and apply concepts will be tested by an end of module test.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 11 Weekly 1 hour 11
Practicals 11 Weekly 2 hours 22
Preparations and Reading 67
Total 100

Summative Assessment

Component: Written assignment Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written assignment 100%
Component: Lab Book Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Lab book 100%
Component: 2-hour invigilated examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
2-hour invigilated examination 100%

Formative Assessment:

Exercises and library research


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University