- UCAS course code
- F109
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Master of Chemistry (MChem)
MChem Chemistry
Duration: 4 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: F109 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Scholarships available
Accredited course
- Typical A-level offer: A*AA including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: AAA including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 37 points overall with 7,6,6 at HL, including specific requirements
Course unit details:
Biosynthesis and Bioenergetics
| Unit code | CHEM30712 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 10 |
| Unit level | Level 3 |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
The unit covers various aspects of biosynthesis and bioenergetics. The course will be delivered by 3 lecturers – (i) Dr. Neil Dixon (course convener); (ii) Prof. David Leys; and (iii) Prof. Sam Hay. The course will involve 5-7 formal lectures from each of the 3 lecturers, followed by a final workshop in which the students will be able to discuss aspects of the course with the relevant lecturer(s) and thereby obtain clarification on any specific scientific issues.
Aims
The unit aims to: provide the students with important information relevant to understanding the living cell as a chemical reactor, focussing on the chemistry of biosynthesis and bioenergetics underpinning this. The chemistry of key metabolic functions including energy-generating processes such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, respiration, photosynthesis as well as aspects regarding control of metabolic flux in the cell will be looked at in detail. The course will include a detailed look at information flow and molecular machinery of the cell.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students should be able to: (i) have an understanding of the working of the aerobic respiratory chain and how this leads to generation of energy in the cell in the form of ATP; (ii) gain knowledge of how important cellular pathways (including glycolysis and the Krebs cycle) work and how these pathways lead to energy generation and to synthesis of important molecules including fatty acids, cholesterol and amino acids; (iii) understand the general mechanism by which light-driven photosynthesis works along with other aspects of biological photochemistry; and (iv) develop knowledge of the crucial cellular functions of the molecular machinery in the cell.
Syllabus
The course syllabus involves 5-8 lectures delivered by each of the 3 lecturers on the course. These will be from (i) Prof. David Leys (Bioenergetics and respiration, and Primary metabolism – including glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, biological pathways and an introduction to mechanisms for flux control, and biofuels; (ii) Dr. Neil Dixon (Molecular machinery of the cell); and (iii) Prof. Sam Hay (Photosynthesis and biological photochemistry). The final seminars delivered by each of the lecturers will take the form of a workshop in which the students will be able to ask questions in order to clarify any material presented by the lecturers.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Problem solving skills: (i) analysis of mechanisms of metabolic pathways and their importance to the cell; (ii) determination of biochemical reaction mechanisms; (iii) Development of mathematical and numerical skills relating to analysis of data; (iv) communication skills (through written and oral communication) and further development of understanding of chemical and biochemical terminology.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Feedback mechanisms will include direct interactions with students in the lectures as well as in the final workshops (the 6th “lecture” from each of the four lecturers) where the students will be encouraged to ask questions to the relevant lecturers to enable them to develop a fuller understanding of lecture material presented. Students will also have access to the relevant lecturers following completion of the course through email, again in order to discuss aspects of biological chemistry presented in the lectures and workshops.
Recommended reading
The recommended text for this course is Voet & Voet Biochemistry, 4th Edition, Wiley. Earlier editions of this text also contain the relevant content.
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours | |
|---|---|
| Assessment written exam | 2 |
| Lectures | 24 |
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 74 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Neil Dixon | Unit coordinator |