Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module BIOL3601: Cellular Biochemistry
Department: Biosciences
BIOL3601: Cellular Biochemistry
| Type | Open | Level | 3 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- Level 2 Molecular Biology (BIOL2441); Level 2 Metabolism (BIOL2491).
Corequisites
- At least one other Level 3 Biological Sciences Module selected from the following list: Advanced Topics in Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour BIOL3561, Conservation Biology BIOL3551, Ecology in the Anthropocene BIOL3541, Advanced Topics in Development BIOL3521, Stress and Responses to the Environment BIOL3491, Crops for the Future BIOL3611, Stem Cells and Tissue Engineering BIOL3531, Ageing BIOL3591, Advanced Cell Biology BIOL3481, Biology of Disease BIOL3621, Genomics BIOL3651, Advanced Biomolecules BIOL3671.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None
Aims
- To explore fundamental aspects of cellular biochemistry that are important for life in diverse growth environments.
- To explore fundamental aspects of experimental systems and techniques that are relevant to industrial, pharmaceutical, and research biotechnology.
Content
- Metabolic and molecular adaptations of life under different conditions.
- The roles of metal ions in biology.
- Microbial secretion and signalling pathways.
- Recombinant protein production.
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- A holistic knowledge of fundamental cellular biochemistry.
- Advanced knowledge of molecular mechanisms that sense and respond to nutrient status, for example oxygen or metal availability.
- Familiarity with a range of techniques used in modern research.
- An integrated knowledge of how biochemical reactions inside the cell can be manipulated for biotechnological exploitation.
Subject-specific Skills:
- To show an understanding of molecular and cellular scales in biology.
- To be able to analyse and explain quantitative data related to cellular biochemistry.
- To be able to design and analyse biochemical strategies for production of recombinant proteins.
- To be able to analyse network of metabolic pathways in cells.
- To be able to explain and analyse mechanisms of metal homeostasis in biological systems.
Key Skills:
- Literacy, in being able to consult and integrate information from printed and on-line research articles.
- Quantitative data analysis, in interpretation and critical analysis of data relevant to cellular biochemistry.
- Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
- Workshops support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
- Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
- Data Handling Exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge.
- Examination demonstrates achievement of the appropriate level of subject-specific knowledge of development, with an emphasis on understanding and communication (essay and problem-based questions).
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 24 | Weekly | 2 hours p/w | 24 | |
| Workshops | 2 | Termly | 2 hour | 4 | Yes ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 170 | ||||
| Q and A Session | 1 | 2 hours | 2 | ||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Examination | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Online Examination | 2 hours | 100% | |
Formative Assessment:
2 formative examination exercises of 1 hr each.
■ 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.