Postgraduate Course: Biomacromolecules PGT (CHEM11059)

Course Outline
School	School of Chemistry	College	College of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)	Availability	Not available to visiting 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 biomacromolecules, 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.
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		Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations	Students MUST NOT also be taking Biomacromolecules Level 10 (CHEM10051) OR Biomacromolecules Level 11 (CHEM11043)	Other requirements	None

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Semester 1
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 30, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 9, Summative Assessment Hours 3, Revision Session Hours 6, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 148 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 60 %, Coursework 40 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Feedback	Not entered
Exam Information
Exam Diet	Paper Name		Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)			3:00

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, along with an awareness of the limitations of current understanding. Apply this knowledge and understanding to explain, using skills in molecular graphics and demonstrating originality and creativity, 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 demonstrating an informed and critical judgement of the data supplied. Critically evaluate and 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 and informed judgements on the production, purification and structural properties of biomacromolecules with the rest of the class.