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CHEM2051: BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 2
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department 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) OR Inorganic Concepts and Applications (CHEM3097) OR Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHEM3117) OR Molecules and their Interactions (CHEM3137).

Excluded Combinations of Modules

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

Aims

  • To emphasise and expand applications 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. Structure and mechanism of selected metalloenzymes.
  • Information retrieval.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

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

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Deliver a flash presentation in an area of relevant literature.

Key Skills:

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

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

  • Lectures are used to convey concepts, demonstrate what is required to be learned and to illustrate the application of theory to practical examples. When appropriate, lectures will be supported by written on-line material, or by information and relevant links on Blackboard Learn Ultra.
  • Private study should be used by students to develop their subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation, through reading textbooks and literature. Students will be able to obtain further help in their studies by approaching their lecturers, either after lectures or at other mutually convenient times.
  • Workshops are where groups of students consider problems and explore common shared difficulties. Problem exercises provide students the chance to develop their theoretical understanding and problem-solving skills. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
  • The flash presentation allows students to develop their presentation skills and communicate information in their own words.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures202 per week1 hour20 
Workshops31.5 hours4.5Yes
Preparation and Reading175.5 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: ExaminationComponent Weighting: 75%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written examination2 hours1002 hour written examination
Component: PresentationComponent Weighting: 25%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Presentation 100Recorded video

Formative Assessment

Set work in preparation for workshops.

More information

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