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2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BIOC1301 Introductory Integrated Biochemistry: the Molecules and Processes of Life

60 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Professor Peter Stockley
Email: P.G.Stockley@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2013/14

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normal U/G entry requirements

Co-requisites

BIOC1302Introductory Biochemistry: Practical Skills
BIOC1303Introductory Biochemistry: Problem Solving and Data Handling

This module is mutually exclusive with

BIOL1101Bioscience 1
BIOL1201The Biochemistry of Cells and Organisms

Module replaces

BIOC1015 and BIOC1030 and BIOC1234

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

- To provide a basic outline of the structure, function, chemistry and metabolism of biological macromolecules and their contribution to the structure and function of cells.
- To provide training in essay writing.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students will be able to:

- describe the structures and functions of the principal macromolecules of cells;
- describe the basic structure of, and differences between, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the major organelles and their functions;
- describe the structures of proteins, and appreciate the various interactions involved in primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary organisation and be familiar with the structures of biological macromolecules: globular and fibrous proteins, nucleic acids and viruses and be able to relate their structures to their functions;
- describe the basis of enzyme catalysis, including enzyme assays, roles of cofactors, and inhibitor actions, and interpret simple enzyme kinetic data;
- describe the major metabolic pathways of the cell, their interactions and their regulation with regard to carbohydrates, lipids and nitrogen compounds;
- demonstrate an appreciation of cellular energy transformations, the central role of ATP, and the use of ATP for biosynthesis and metabolic work;
- describe membrane structure and transport systems, and appreciate how signals are transduced across membranes during cell communication;
- describe the structures of DNA and RNA, and the processes and regulation of replication, transcription and translation;
- describe photosynthesis and carbon fixation in plants;
- describe nitrogen metabolism and fixation;
- demonstrate an appreciation of the approaches used to study biochemical processes;
- understand the role of chirality in the chemical and physical properties of biological molecules;
- appreciate the value of spectroscopic techniques in biochemistry (atomic absorption, molecular spectroscopy, UV, fluorescence);
- understand the key concepts of chemistry related to biochemistry: bonding; acid base chemistry, pH, buffers, non-covalent interactions, thermodynamics, kinetics and biochemical energetics;
- understand the way in which bioinformatics plays a key role in biochemistry: databases, genomes and proteomes; research biochemical topics from a variety of sources to plan and write an essays.

Skills outcomes
Managing Knowledge: Sourcing / selecting / interpreting data; Data evaluation / problem solving.

Technical Competence: Laboratory techniques; Experimental design; Accuracy; Analysing data; IT skills.

Managing Self: Planning; Time management.

Managing Interrelationships: Teamwork; Decision taking; Learning from others; Sharing; Receiving critique.

Presentation Skills: Lab report; Oral; Essay; Short exam-type essay answers; Data presentation.


Syllabus

- The structures and functions of the principal macromolecules of cells;
- The basic structure of, and differences between, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the major organelles and their functions;
- The structures of proteins, and appreciate the various interactions involved in primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary organisation and the structures and functions of biological macromolecules: globular and fibrous proteins, nucleic acids and viruses;
- The basis of enzyme catalysis, including enzyme assays, roles of cofactors, and inhibitor actions, and interpretation of simple enzyme kinetic data;
- The major metabolic pathways of the cell, their interactions and their regulation with regard to carbohydrates, lipids and nitrogen compounds;
- Cellular energy transformations, the central role of ATP, and the use of ATP for biosynthesis and metabolic work;
- Membrane structure and transport systems, and appreciate how signals are transduced across membranes during cell communication;
- Structures of DNA and RNA, and the processes and regulation of replication, transcription and translation;
- Photosynthesis and carbon fixation in plants;
- Nitrogen metabolism and fixation;
- The approaches used to study biochemical processes;
- The role of chirality in the chemical and physical properties of biological molecules;
- Spectroscopic techniques in biochemistry (atomic absorption, molecular spectroscopy, UV, fluorescence);
- Key concepts of chemistry related to biochemistry: bonding; acid base chemistry, pH, buffers, non-covalent interactions, thermodynamics, kinetics and biochemical energetics;
- The role of bioinformatics in biochemistry: databases, genomes and proteomes.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture1501.00150.00
Tutorial81.008.00
Private study hours442.00
Total Contact hours158.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)600.00

Private study

- 2 hr per 1 hr lecture = 300 hours
- 3.5 hr per essay = 28 hours
- Prep for in-course MCQs (3 x 10 hours)
- Prep for Jan and May exams (2 x 41 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In-course assessment and fortnightly tutorials.

Exam:
- Paper1: MCQ + 1 essay (Jan)
- Paper2: MCQ (May)
- Paper 3: 3 essays (May).

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
In-course MCQMay MCQ test5.00
EssayFour in-course summative essays (5% each)20.00
In-course MCQDec MCQ test5.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)30.00

Coursework makes up the remaining 30% (5 essays @4% + 2 MCQs@5%)


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 00 mins25.00
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)1 hr 00 mins15.00
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 00 mins30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)70.00

Overall 5 hours of exams for 70% of 60 credits. This comes otu at 0.8333 hr/10cr with a weighted value of 1.2 hr/10cr

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 20/02/2014

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