Module BIOL3671: Advanced Biomolecules

Department: Biosciences

BIOL3671: Advanced Biomolecules

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	3	20	Available in 2026/2027	None.	Durham

Pre-requisites

One of BIOL2491 Metabolism OR BIOL2591 Biomolecules - Structure and Function AND one of BIOL2441 Molecular Biology OR BIOL2501 Cell Signalling.

Corequisites

At least one other Level 3 Biosciences 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, Cellular Biochemistry BIOL3601.

Excluded Combinations

None

Aims

To study the structure and function of protein and nucleic acid biomolecules at an advanced level.
To describe experimental and computational approaches to study, design, and engineer biomolecules.

Content

Molecular motors.
Nucleic acid dynamics and sequencing.
Structure and function of RNA molecules in biological systems.
Protein structure prediction and design using computational methods (including AI).

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

To understand applications of protein design to biological systems, including host-microbe interactions.
To understand the diversity of RNA structures and explain how structure is linked to function.
Familiarity with a range of techniques used to study biomolecular function.

Subject-specific Skills

To be able to explain and analyse nucleic acid structure, dynamics, and function.
To be able to interpret computational protein structure predictions.
To be able to analyse and explain quantitative data related to DNA sequencing and biomolecule structure and function.
Development of coding skills (with AI assistance when appropriate)

Key Skills

Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
Data analysis, in interpretation and critical analysis of data.
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 and self-motivation.
Examination demonstrates achievement of the appropriate level of subject-specific knowledge of development, with an emphasis of understanding and communication (problem-based questions).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	24	Weekly	2 hours per week	24
Workshops	2	Termly	2 hours	4	Yes
Preparation and Reading				170
Q and A Session	1			2
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Examination	100%	Online Examination	2 hours	100%

Formative Assessment

Two formative examination exercises of 1 hour 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.