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 requirementsCo-requisites
| BIOC1302 | Introductory Biochemistry: Practical Skills |
| BIOC1303 | Introductory Biochemistry: Problem Solving and Data Handling |
This module is mutually exclusive with
| BIOL1101 | Bioscience 1 |
| BIOL1201 | The Biochemistry of Cells and Organisms |
Module replaces
BIOC1015 and BIOC1030 and BIOC1234This 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 type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 150 | 1.00 | 150.00 |
| Tutorial | 8 | 1.00 | 8.00 |
| Private study hours | 442.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 158.00 | ||
| 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 type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course MCQ | May MCQ test | 5.00 |
| Essay | Four in-course summative essays (5% each) | 20.00 |
| In-course MCQ | Dec MCQ test | 5.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30.00 | |
Coursework makes up the remaining 30% (5 essays @4% + 2 MCQs@5%)
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 25.00 |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 1 hr 00 mins | 15.00 |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr 00 mins | 30.00 |
| 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 websiteLast updated: 20/02/2014
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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