Module Information

Module Identifier
BR17320
Module Title
Biological chemistry
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Dr Ifat Parveen Shah
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
View example reading list on Aspire
Other Staff
 

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Scientific report  1500 Words  40%
Semester Exam 2 Hours   Exam  60%
Supplementary Assessment Scientific report  1500 Words  40%
Supplementary Exam 2 Hours   Exam  60%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of acid-base equilibria in biological systems, including pH calculations, buffers and acid/base titrations.

Recognise isomerism including stereochemistry and the 3D shapes of molecules.

Demonstrate knowledge of spectroscopic techniques for the determination of structures of organic molecules.

Apply fundamental basic physical chemical principles to thermodynamics and kinetics in biological systems.

Explain the fundamentals and core principles in organic chemistry, including orbital hybridisation, structure, stability and shape of organic molecules. Demonstrate understanding of mechanistic organic chemistry and how this applies to biomolecules.

Discuss and describe the major biochemical metabolic pathways/cycles within cells, including start- and end- points, intermediates, enzymes and co-factors.

Discuss the interaction of these pathways and cycles.

Independently demonstrate retained knowledge and understanding of the module material.

Brief description

The module will discuss and outline the application of physical and organic chemistry to the study of biomolecules and biochemical processes. This will include thermodynamics and kinetics, structure and reactivity of organic biomolecules, acid-base equilibria and spectroscopy. These will form the basis of understanding fundamental biochemical processes, pathways and cycles. Metabolism and the functions of amino acids, sugars and lipids will be outlined.

Content

A study of biologically important functional groups will lead to a review of the concept of pH, acids, bases and buffers. Other aspects of physical chemistry will include energetics, binding of ligands and electrochemistry, the relevance to biological processes will be emphasized with examples. The topics of chemical equilibria and reaction kinetics will be discussed by considering the role of enzymes in biological reactions. Basic concepts in stereochemistry of natural organic compounds will be described and the different types of stereoisomers (geometric and optical isomerism). Optical activity will include both the D and L system and the R and S nomenclature. Review and concepts of spectroscopic methods and structure determination will be by IR, UV-VIS, MS and NMR Spectroscopy.

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.

The module will consider major metabolic pathways, namely; Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis; Pyruvate dehydrogenase, the Citric acid cycle; Oxidative phosphorylation; Photosynthesis; Amino acid catabolism and anabolism; Fatty acid, lipid and steroid synthesis; Metabolic disorders and the disruption of metabolism.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Adaptability and resilience Handling deadlines.
Co-ordinating with others Working collaboratively with students to solve chemical problems in lectures and workshops. Students will work in pairs/small groups in practical laboratory classes.
Creative Problem Solving Students will gain an understanding of the fundamentals and core aspects of organic, physical and biological chemistry in lectures and will need to apply this understanding to solve chemical problems. The practical skills will allow students to gain experience in extrapolating and interpreting complex data.
Critical and analytical thinking Teaching & Learning in this module is focussed on understanding, rather than rote learning. Students have to develop critical and analytical thinking to be able to grasp the fundamental concepts.
Digital capability Skills are developed in using software for the presentation of results.
Professional communication Students write a scientific report on the synthesis of paracetamol.
Real world sense The assessment develops skills in written communication, managing time, meeting deadlines and independence.
Reflection Feedback is used to improve future work.
Subject Specific Skills Subject-specific concepts relating to biochemistry and biological chemistry 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 practical classes.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4