This module is discontinued in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.
2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CHEM3005 Fundamentals of Chemical Biology
15 creditsClass Size: 20
Module manager: Dr W B Turnbull
Email: w.b.turnbull@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2015/16
Pre-requisite qualifications
BSc degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry or equivalentThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to describe the shapes of biological polymers and explain the basic principles behind their formation and stability.Students should also be able to compare the fundamentals of the chemical and biochemical syntheses of these polymers.
Students should be able to tie together synthesis, shape and function in the context of the central dogma for Life and the machinery of the cell.
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 |
| Lecture | 15 | 1.00 | 15.00 |
| Tutorial | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
| Private study hours | 130.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 | ||
Private study
- Reading for lectures- Preparation for 'open book' examination.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Progress will be assessed through lecture and tutorial attendance and an 'open book' examination.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course Assessment | An 'open book' test in week 6 for semester 1 | 75.00 |
| Tutorial Performance | 5 tutorials | 25.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 19/01/2016
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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