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BSc Biology with Science & Society / Course details

Year of entry: 2021

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Course unit details:
Chemistry of Biomolecules

Unit code	CHEM21162
Credit rating	10
Unit level	Level 2
Teaching period(s)	Semester 2
Offered by	Department of Chemistry
Available as a free choice unit?	No

Overview

Chemistry of Biomolecules focuses on the chemistry underpinning the biological roles of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic and lipids. You will learn about the link between structure and function of these molecules at a chemical level within a biological context. Overview lectures will bring together this knowledge and apply it to key chemical process relevant to life: respiration, photosynthesis and signalling.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title	Unit code	Requirement type	Description
Introductory Chemistry	BIOL10111	Pre-Requisite	Recommended
Chemistry for Bioscientists 1	CHEM10021	Pre-Requisite	Recommended
Chemistry for Bioscientists 2	CHEM10022	Pre-Requisite	Recommended

Aims

To provide information about biochemically important aspects of the chemistry of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids, using appropriate examples. This includes organic, inorganic and physical chemistry aspects of biomolecules. Key emphasis is placed on understanding the structural principles that govern reactivity/physical properties of molecules as opposed to learning structural detail. The emphasis is on knowledge at the atomic level.

Learning outcomes

Students should:

Have knowledge of the structure/conformational freedom of biomolecules, e.g. proteins, DNA/RNA, carbohydrates and key metabolites/co-factors, e.g., be able to draw and recognize key structures such as the 20 amino acids, 5 nucleotides and major metabolites
Understand and demonstrate how the structure of biomolecules determines their chemical properties and reactivity
Draw molecules and reaction mechanisms, understand and propose site-directed mutagenesis experiments aimed at elucidating mechanism
Understand biochemistry at the atomic level.

Employability skills

Analytical skills: The course introduces people to chemical reasoning and thinking, encouraging application of chemical rules and logic to problems.
Problem solving: The course introduces people to chemical reasoning and thinking, encouraging application of chemical rules and logic to problems.
Research: The course introduces people to chemical reasoning and thinking, encouraging application of chemical rules and logic to problems.

Assessment methods

Method	Weight
Written exam	85%
Set exercise	15%

Feedback methods

Students will be invited to test their knowledge via blackboard multiple choice tests. These will span the various main topics: basic chemistry; organic chemistry; metals in biology; physical chemistry; overview lectures. In each case, the test assessment will be available immediately after the last lecture of that topic. Immediate feedback is given when answers are incorrect. Assessments remain open during the lecture course and students can retake them as many times as they want.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam	2
Lectures	22

Independent study hours
Independent study	76

Teaching staff

Staff member	Role
Andrew Munro	Unit coordinator

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