2017/18 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 2017/18
Pre-requisite qualifications
BSc degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry or equivalentThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Fundamental aspects of organic and biological chemistry that underpin understanding of chemical biology and drug design.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
Fundamental organic chemistry
Stereochemistry, conformations, anomeric effect
Chemistry of the carbonyl group (additionelimination, aldol, conjugate addition); pKa
Reactivity 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, transciption 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.
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 | 1 | 2.00 | 2.00 |
Independent online learning hours | 6.00 | ||
Private study hours | 80.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 14.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 |
Private study
Students will be expected watch a series of ca. 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
Formative feedback through interactive problem solving during lecture sessions and the deductive problem coursework sheets.Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Tutorial Performance | Deductive problems | 10.00 |
Essay or Dissertation | 1 x 1000 word essay | 40.00 |
In-course MCQ | Online MCQ | 5.00 |
Computer Exercise | Protein Structure Workshop | 5.00 |
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 5 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. **the only change here is that the test will be in week 5**
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 20/04/2017
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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