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2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BIOC1301 Introductory Integrated Biochemistry: the Molecules and Processes of Life

60 creditsClass Size: 110

Module manager: Dr Joseph Cockburn
Email: j.j.b.cockburn@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2020/21

Pre-requisite qualifications

Normal U/G entry requirements

Co-requisites

BIOC1302	Introductory Biochemistry: Practical Skills
BIOC1303	Introductory Biochemistry: Problem Solving and Data Handling

Module replaces

BIOC1015 and BIOC1030 and BIOC1234

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will explore what is considered ‘normal’ physiology in healthy humans at rest and in response to exercise. - You will study key elements defining the response to exercise: pulmonary responses; cardiovascular responses; and muscular performance. - You will learn about how each of these plays a role in determining the integrated response to exercise performance. The module is focussed on the practical assessment of these variables and uses several laboratory-based sessions to develop your practical skills and understanding of how to assess.- Additionally, we will consider alternative field-based tests that may be used when lab-based testing is not possible. - Finally, we will consider issues related to validity and reproducibility of testing methods.

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:
1. Describe the structures and functions of the principal macromolecules of cells;
2. Describe the basic structure of, and differences between, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the major organelles and their functions;
3. 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;
4. Describe the basis of enzyme catalysis, including enzyme assays, roles of cofactors, and inhibitor actions, and interpret simple enzyme kinetic data;
5. Describe the major metabolic pathways of the cell, their interactions and their regulation with regard to carbohydrates, lipids and nitrogen compounds;
6. Demonstrate an appreciation of cellular energy transformations, the central role of ATP, and the use of ATP for biosynthesis and metabolic work;
7. Describe membrane structure and transport systems, and appreciate how signals are transduced across membranes during cell communication;
8. Describe the structures of DNA and RNA, and the processes and regulation of replication, transcription and translation;
9. Describe photosynthesis and carbon fixation in plants;
10.Describe nitrogen metabolism and fixation;
11.Demonstrate an appreciation of the approaches used to study biochemical processes;
12.Understand the role of chirality in the chemical and physical properties of biological molecules;
13.Appreciate the value of spectroscopic techniques in biochemistry (atomic absorption, molecular spectroscopy, UV, fluorescence);
14.Understand the key concepts of chemistry related to biochemistry: bonding; acid base chemistry, pH, buffers, non-covalent interactions, thermodynamics, kinetics and biochemical energetics;
15.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
Private study hours			450.00
Total Contact hours			150.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			600.00

Private study

- 2 hr per 1 hr lecture = 300 hours
- 3.5 hr per essay x 3
- Prep for in-course MCQs x 5
- Prep for Jan and May exams.
Total 442 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In-course MRQ assessments.
Essays - Semester 1 and 2.
May exam: MRQs & essay questions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Homework exercises (running fortnightly over S1 & S2)	15.00
In-course MCQ	2 x In-course MRQ (each work 12.5%)	25.00
In-course Assessment	In-course assessed essay x 1 (S2)	5.00
In-course Assessment	In-course assessed essay x 1 (S1	5.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Assessed essays in semester 1 & 2 and homework exercises over both semesters.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S2)	3 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

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 website

Last updated: 13/11/2020 08:18:51

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