Module CHEM40815: Practical course in Basic Biological Techniques

Department: Chemistry

CHEM40815: Practical course in Basic Biological Techniques

Prerequisites

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Corequisites

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Excluded Combination of Modules

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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.
• To provide the training needed to select and apply appropriate techniques for analysis of biological molecules

Content

• Introduction to Systems Biology.
• 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 Metallomics in Biology

Learning Outcomes

• 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.
• Recognise apparent contradictions in the field and suggest areas for further investigation.

• 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.
• Identify appropriate fields of inquiry and determine an appropriate investigative methodology

• 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 will provide the means to give concise, focussed presentation of the relevant subject matter of the module. They will be supported by reference to suitable text books and where appropriate by the distribution of written material or through links on DUO (on-line learning resource).
• Practicals, in which students prepare and examine biological molecules and present the data, will develop competence and skills and advance understanding by practical experience.
• Seminars in which students work through real experimental problems will be used as support teaching.
• Student performance will be assessed summatively through examination, an oral presentation and the preparation of a written lab report.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Problem sheets distributed in lectures.

■ 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