2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CHEM3010 Foundation of Chemical Biology
10 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Dr W B Turnbull
Email: w.b.turnbull@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2016/17
Pre-requisite qualifications
BSc degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry or equivalentThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Fundamental Organic Chemistry Stereochemistry, conformations, anomeric effectChemistry of the carbonyl group (addition-elimination, aldol, conjugate addition); pKaReactivity of carboxylic acid derivatives, amides, esters (hydrolysis, relative reactivity towards nucleophiles), Claisen condensations.Nucleophilic substitution at saturated carbon.Structure and reactivity of biologically important heterocycles.Molecular Interactions and Fundamental Biology Identifying hydrogen bond donors and acceptors. Hydrophobic interactions. Lipid membranes. Illustrative examples using small molecule ligands and the structure of DNA. The amino acids and their side chains. pKa's of ionisable side chains (and what impact this has on their structures at pH 7). Primary sequence of proteins. The central dogma of molecular biology. Major differences between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Where replication, transcription and translation take place in each case. The genetic code. Ribosomal protein synthesis. Secondary, tertiary and quaternary protein structure. Alpha helices and beta sheets. Stability of an alpha helix. Basic energetics: Relationship between free energy and K. How stable is a folded protein relative to unfolded state.Objectives
To provide students from diverse backgrounds with an appropriate background knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry for the MSc course in Chemical Biology and Drug Design.Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should:
1. be able to describe the shapes of biological polymers and explain the basic principles behind their formation and stability.
2. have an understanding of the relationship between chemical structure and reactivity
3. be able to apply their knowledge of chemistry and biochemistry to solve deductive problems in chemical biology
Syllabus
This module provides an intensive introduction to the MSc in Chemical Biology programme. It includes a revision of fundamental reactions in organic chemistry and 'curly arrow' mechanisms; an introduction to the forces that hold biological molecules, proteins and nucleic acids together, followed by a description of the regular structures these adopt and how these structures are determined (in brief). Basic concepts and terminology used in drug discovery will also be covered including: Pharmacophores, Conformational restriction, Bioisosteres, Pharmacokinetics Agonists/Antagonists, SAR and QSAR.
The various roles of proteins and nucleic acids will be discussed with an emphasis on the ability of certain biomolecules to catalyse chemical reactions. Both the chemical and (in brief) the biochemical synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids will be covered.
The inter-relation between proteins and nucleic acids will be established by consideration of the central dogma; transcription and translation. All of the above will be set in the context of processes which occur in a living cell.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Class tests, exams and assessment | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
| Lecture | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Tutorial | 4 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 4.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 80.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 16.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
Students will be expected watch a series of 30 minute on line videos on fundamental concepts in organic and biological chemistry prior to each lecture and to spend considerable time consolidating the knowledge gained in both the on line videos and lectures.They will be provided with practice problems that form the basis of the tutorials.
Preparation for the open book class test.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Student progress will be monitored by attendance at classes and by monitoring of coursework marks for continual assessments.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Tutorial Performance | Deductive problems | 20.00 |
| Essay or Dissertation | 2 x 500 words | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 60.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Open Book exam | 2 hr 00 mins | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 40.00 | |
The open book class test will happen in week 6 of semester 1 to allow feedback to be given to students on their performance as early as practical in semester 1. As open book class test falls outside the normal exam schedule, we will give a chance to resit the exam after the January exam period.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 21/03/2016
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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