Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module BIOL3471: Biomolecular Analysis

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL3471: Biomolecular Analysis

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to CC77
Tied to C701
Tied to FGC0

Prerequisites

  • Satisfactory completion of Level 2 Biological Sciences course.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To introduce students to theoretical aspects of the analysis of biological molecules.
  • To demonstrate research-led approaches to the analysis of genomes, proteins, mRNA populations and metabolites.
  • To provide practical training in aspects of molecular biology and structural biology

Content

  • Searching and interpreting specific internet databases, including DNA and protein databases, composite and secondary databases.
  • Structural biology databases: use in defining structure-function relationships.
  • Introduction to recombinant protein over-expression.
  • Biological molecules; modern methods of separation and analysis.
  • Analysis of metabolites.
  • Introduction to proteomics.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Ability to use appropriate bioinformatics procedures to retrieve and interpret biological data.
  • Interpret experimental results in the analysis of biological molecules and comment on these: Understand the limitations and possibilities of new technologies in this analysis.
  • Rationalise approaches that can be used to solve a biochemical problem dependent on the knowledge base available.
  • Acquire, interpret ad critically analyse experimental evidence and present results effectively.
  • Critically analyse protein structure-function relationships.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Interpret experimental results in areas of biomolecular analysis.
  • Understand the limitations and possibilities of new technologies in analysis of biomolecules.
  • Rationalise approaches that can be used to solve a biochemical problem dependent on the knowledge base available.
  • Use appropriate bioinformatics procedures to retrieve and interpret biological data.
Key Skills:
  • Acquire, interpret and critically analyse experimental data and present the results effectively.

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

  • Lectures, Workshops, Lab work and Data handling.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 16 1 hour 16
Seminars 2 1 hour 2
Other 1 1 week 36
PC Labs 5 1 hour 5
Preparation & reading 141
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Presentation 25%
Laboratory Report 50%
Essay 25%

Formative Assessment:


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