This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)
Module BIOL3471: Biomolecular Analysis
Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences
BIOL3471: Biomolecular Analysis
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tied | 3 | 20 | Available in 2010/2011 | None. | Durham |
Tied To
- C701: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry with Industrial Placement
- CC77: Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
- FGC0: Natural Sciences
Pre-requisites
- Satisfactory completion of Level 2 Biological Sciences course.
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- 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 | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% | Presentation | 25% | ||
| Laboratory Report | 50% | ||||
| Essay | 25% |
Formative Assessment
Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods
and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative
assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress
procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be
required to leave the University.