Unit information: The Dynamic Proteome in 2023/24

Unit name	The Dynamic Proteome
Unit code	BIOC30604
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Cory
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	BIOC20002 and BIOC20001
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	School of Biochemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Unit Information

Students study advanced topics in protein biochemistry. These lectures are split into two elements. The first element, Structure and Dynamics of Biomolecules and Systems, covers techniques used to analyse protein structure and dynamics. The second element, Protein Assembly, looks at how proteins are synthesized and how they fold into their unique three-dimensional shapes.

The unit aims to develop an understanding of key concepts in protein biochemistry, and the methods used to study them, including:

Structure and Dynamics of Biomolecules and Systems

• The techniques used to study protein structure
• Proteomic techniques
• The study of kinetics in enzymes and chemiosmotic systems
• The techniques to study protein dynamics on femtosecond to hour scales
• The synthesis of proteins by ribosomes

Protein Assembly

• Protein structure from bonds to macromolecular complexes
• Sequence to structure relationships and protein folding pathways
• The insertion of peptides and proteins into membranes

Your learning on this unit

Following successful completion of this unit, students will be able to demonstrate:

• an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced protein biochemistry topics covered in the unit and an ability to keep abreast with recent developments in the field.
• the ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.
• an understanding of the importance of the study of protein structure and dynamics and kinetics.
• the ability to interpret and explain data from studies investigating the topics covered in the unit.
• the ability to propose and critique experimental strategies to address specific questions in the fields of protein structure, dynamics and kinetics.

How you will learn

Lectures, workshops, asynchronous material, reading suggested research and review papers

How you will be assessed

Assessment for learning (formative)

Students will undertake a formative assessment exercise.

Assessment of learning (summative)

The unit will be assessed as follows:

• 50% a timed assessment
• 50% an examination

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BIOC30604).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.