Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Lecture | 22 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Practical | 3 x 3 Hour Practicals |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Practical laboratory worksheet 1 (500 words) | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Practical laboratory worksheet 2 (500 words) | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Practical laboratory worksheet 3 (500 words) | 10% |
| Semester Assessment | Practical laboratory report (3000 words) | 30% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module | 60% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module | 40% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of acid-base equilibria in biological systems, including pH calculations, buffers and acid/base titrations
2. Recognise isomerism including stereochemistry and optical activity including enantiomers, diastereoisomers, racemic mixture and meso compounds. Identify stereocenters and apply the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system to designate stereochemistry (E/Z and R/S)
3. Demonstrate knowledge of mass spectroscopy (MS), ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Determine the structure of organic molecules using spectroscopic techniques
4. Apply basic physical chemistry principles to biological systems related to chemical thermodynamics and kinetics
5. Be able to explain the fundamentals and core principles in organic chemistry including hybridization, geometry, structure and stability of organic molecules, functional group reactivity, synthesis and chemical reactions of selected biologically important molecules. Use knowledge in organic mechanisms to predict the outcome of reactions and design synthesis of organic molecules
Brief description
The module will describe organic chemistry and biological systems – biochemistry. The module will cover the following chemical topics, with examples of relevant biological phenomena; acid-base equilibria, stereochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy (IR, UV-VIS, MS and NMR) and advanced organic chemistry.
Content
Semester 2: Fundamentals of organic chemistry will be discussed, focusing on important chemical concepts, with emphasis on biologically related chemistry to grasp the importance of organic chemistry in understanding reactions in living organisms. The structure, reactivity and synthesis of biologically important organic compounds (amino acids, nucleotides, sugars, lipids, aldehydes, ketones, aromatic compounds and heterocycles) will be broadly covered. The major reaction types discussed include nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic aromatic substitution, addition reactions, oxidation and reduction, eliminations and rearrangements.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Collection and scrutiny of data in terms of quality and quantity. Data interpretation. |
| Communication | Students will develop effective written communication skills in examinations and coursework preparation. Working in small groups, discussion and application of lecture material in practical classes. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Outside the formal contact hours, students will be expected to research materials, manage time and meet deadlines. The directed study elements will provide opportunity for students to explore their individual learning styles and preferences and identify their needs and barriers to learning. Students will be able to track their understanding, review and monitor their progress and plan for improvement of personal performance. |
| Information Technology | Accessing the web and online resources for information and using scientific databases to find primary literature. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Meeting targets and deadlines. Improving communication, written and problem solving skills. |
| Problem solving | Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals and core aspects of organic, physical and biological chemistry in lectures and will be applied to solve chemical problems. Practical skills will allow students to gain experience in designing, executing and interpreting data in biochemistry. |
| Research skills | Students will research topics beyond the depth and scope of the lecture material using directed and independent study. Information from a variety of sources will be the subject of scrutiny and comment. Practical classes will allow the development of key biological research skills at an early stage of their academic careers. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Subject specific concepts relating to biochemistry will be developed. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of chemical principles as applied to molecular biology with examples. Students will gain key skills in extrapolating and interpreting complex data through lectures and practicals. |
| Team work | Working collaboratively with students to solve chemical problems in lectures. Students will work in pairs/small groups in practical laboratory classes and work through the laboratory reports. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4