Undergraduate Course: Biomacromolecules Level 10 (CHEM10051)

Course Outline
School	School of Chemistry	College	College of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate)	Availability	Available to all students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	Proteins and DNA are amongst the most sophisticated and versatile molecules on Earth. Covering the synthesis, chemistry, structure and function of biomacromolecues, this course consists of lectures, tutorials and two workshops. The course will teach how biological polymers are constructed from simple building blocks and folded into three-dimensional structures. The ability of biomacromolecules to specifically recognise other atoms and molecules, interacting and cooperating to build complexes with diverse affinities and on a range of timescales, will be discussed. Chemical complexity and functional capabilities arising from prosthetic groups, cofactors, metal ions and post-translational modifications will be described as will the ability of proteins to act, for example as molecular wires and biological catalysts. Either the Level 10 or Level 11 version of this course version of this course (as specified in the degree programme tables) is a compulsory requirement for Year 4/5 students on degrees in Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, but can be taken by Year 4/5 students on any Chemistry degree programme.
Course description	The course emphasises, how three-dimensional structure illuminates the understanding of mechanism and how "form follows function". The course consists of a series of modules on the following topics: amino acids and the chemistry, folding, structure and function of proteins; RNA and DNA structures and properties and the encoding and retrieval of genetic information; protein-nucleic acid interactions as exemplars of molecular recognition; the synthesis of proteins on the ribosome, and their recombinant production and purification in the laboratory; proteins that bind metal ions, their role in living systems and bioinorganic chemistry; proteins that can be reduced or oxidised, redox potentials and cellular electrochemistry; and proteins in action as sequential catalysts in synthetic pathways of natural products.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites	Students MUST have passed: Chemistry 3A (CHEM09005) AND Chemistry 3B (CHEM09006) AND Chemistry 3P Practical and Transferable Skills (CHEM09007)	Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations	Students MUST NOT also be taking Biomacromolecules Level 11 (CHEM11043)	Other requirements	Must include a weighted average of Grade D or higher in Chemistry 3A and Chemistry 3B, at the first attempt; or with the permission of Head of School.

Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisites	None
High Demand Course?	Yes

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Semester 1
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 24, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 9, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 6, Summative Assessment Hours 2.5, Revision Session Hours 6, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 149 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 100 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	One 2.5 hour exam.
Feedback	Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet	Paper Name		Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)			2:30

Academic year 2015/16, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Semester 1
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 24, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 9, Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 6, Summative Assessment Hours 2.5, Revision Session Hours 6, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 149 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 100 %, Coursework 0 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	One 2.5 hour exam.
Feedback	Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet	Paper Name		Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)			2:30

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Show knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts underlying the structure, function and dynamics of proteins and DNA. Apply this knowledge and understanding, along with skills in the use of molecular graphic software, to explain the key properties that equip biomacromolecules to carry out their sophisticated tasks in cells and organisms. Review current theory and practices in the study of biomacromolecules and demonstrate an ability to critically assess the robustness of proposed models and mechanisms and the extent to which they are supported or otherwise by available experimental data. Understand the benefits and limitations of specialised software for simulating protein purifications, or for viewing and analysing macromolecular structures, and communicate the outcomes effectively. In workshops and small-group work collaborate with peers in self-learning exercises and share findings on the production, purification and structures of biomacromolecules with the rest of the class.

Reading List
None

Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills	Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information	27 lectures, plus six hours of tutorials and two three-hour workshops
Keywords	Biom (L10)