Unit information: Biochemistry 1G General Biochemistry at a Cellular and Molecular Level in 2014/15

Unit name	Biochemistry 1G General Biochemistry at a Cellular and Molecular Level
Unit code	BIOC10100
Credit points	40
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Gus Cameron
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	At least a grade C in A-level Chemistry
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Biochemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

Biochemistry 1G gives students the skills and knowledge needed to understand the complexity of life at the molecular level. Delivered using a series of integrated lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions all underpinned by world-leading on-line resources.

The unit is supported by laboratory classes and small group tutorials that build ability and confidence in the practical, numerical and written skills required by today’s scientists.

The unit aims are as follows:

1. To demonstrate that biochemistry is concerned with the chemical basis of biological structure and function, and is essential for understanding of living processes.
2. To show that fundamental events in biology involve molecular change and provide the student with training in scientific method, as well as an awareness of how science advances biomedical knowledge.
3. To provide a comprehensive introduction to the principles of biochemistry.
4. To provide practical experience in laboratory techniques and training in the interpretation of results, calculation and the use of scientific method.

The unit consists of six elements. Element 1 runs throughout the academic year and is based on the material delivered through the practical sessions and the on-line laboratory manual, eBiolabs. The other elements are lecture-based and are taught sequentially as the year progresses.

Element 1 Techniques and skills

Element 2 Proteins: from form to function

Element 3 Genes and molecular biology

Element 4 Organisation of the eukaryotic cell

Element 5 Cellular energy, use and storage

Element 6 Regulation of cell function

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should obtain a knowledge and understanding of the following:

1. The structures and properties of biologically important building blocks and small molecules.
2. The structural features of macromolecules - proteins, nucleic acids and polysaccharides.
3. The relationships between protein structure and function, enzyme activity and enzyme kinetics.
4. Nucleic acids - genes and their replication, transcription and protein synthesis. Recombinant DNA technology.
5. Metabolic pathways and their energetics, carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism.
6. Bioenergetics - oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis.
7. Membrane structure and membrane transport. Cell biology, the cytoskeleton and trafficking.
8. Metabolic regulation and hormone action. Cell signalling. Protein phosphorylation and other secondary messenger pathways.
9. Development, the cell cycle, cell division and the biochemistry of cancer. Cell movement.

The student should acquire the skills necessary for:

1. Logical deduction, calculation and the application of scientific method.
2. Presentation of scientific arguments both verbally and in written form in a clear and rigorous manner.
3. Completion of practical work using standard laboratory apparatus and demonstrate the proper use of scientific units.
4. Observation, measurement, calculation and interpretation of scientific data.

Teaching Information

Lectures

Tutorials

Practicals

Bioethics debating session

Calculations workshops

Assessment Information

Summative assessment:

• Practical work (10%): students undertake practicals throughout the unit. Marks are allocated to pre-lab tests (20% of the marks) hosted on the online lab manual, eBiolabs, and practical write-ups (80% of the marks). (ILOs 10-13)
• Exams (90%): two 3-hour papers consisting of MCQs, essays and calculation questions. (ILOs 1-9,13)

Formative assessment:

• Students receive feedback on their performance in the January exam
• Regular tutorial work (normally practice exam questions) is marked and returned to students throughout the unit.
• Students receive feedback on their practical work throughout the unit.

Reading and References

1. Biochemistry (Berg, Tymoczko & Stryer, Freeman, 6th Edition, ISBN 0716787245).
2. Biochemistry (Voet & Voet, Wiley, 4th Edition IBSN 0471392235).
3. Principles of Biochemistry (Voet, Voet & Pratt, Wiley, 3rd Edition, ISBN-13 978-0470-23396-2)
4. Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts et al., Garland Science, 5th Edition, ISBN 978-0-8153-4106-2).
5. Biochemistry Illustrated; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Post-Genomic Era (Campbell, Smith & Peters, ISBN 0443100349)
6. Instant Notes in Biochemistry (Hames & Hooper, ISBN 0415367786 )