Module CHEM2051: BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

Department: Chemistry

CHEM2051: BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

Prerequisites

• Core Chemistry 1 (CHEM1078) AND Mathematical and Experimental Tools required in Chemistry (CHEM1111)

Corequisites

• Chemistry of the Elements (CHEM2077) OR Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry (CHEM2087) OR Properties of Molecules (CHEM2097)

Excluded Combination of Modules

• This module may not be taken in the same year of study as Computational Chemistry (CHEM2061)

Aims

• To emphasise and expand undergraduates' application of chemical knowledge to biological systems.

Content

• Peptides and peptidomimetics: Structure and properties of natural amino-acids. Peptide synthesis. Peptoid chemistry.
• Sugars and lipids: structure and reactions. Synthesis. Biological role.
• Metals in biological systems: Bioinorganic chemistry of metals. Ion channels and ion pumps. Enzyme mechanism of action.
• Information retrieval

Learning Outcomes

• Explain the importance of metals in life processes.
• Design and plan methods for the synthesis of oligo-peptides and saccharides.
• Have a good understanding of the structure and reactivity of amino-acids, peptides, sugars and lipids and their importance in biological chemistry.

• Produce a scholarly essay of an area of relevant literature

• Written communication advanced through the use of essay type questions in lecture-support worksheets and the project.
• Problem-solving developed through workshops.
• Demonstrate skills in scientific writing.

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

• Lectures are used to convey concepts and are examined by written papers. This is the best method to assess the knowledge of the students.
• Workshops are larger groups of students where problems are considered and common difficulties shared. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
• The essay allows students to present information in their own words, synthesising ideas and demonstrating their ability to communicate effectively in written form.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Set work in preparation for workshops

■ 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