Biochemistry

Module title	Biochemistry
Module code	BIO1332
Academic year	2024/5
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Chloe Singleton (Lecturer)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks	11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	400

Module description

Life is driven by biochemical reactions. Biochemistry is an introductory module providing the essentials for understanding all living processes. You will study protein structure, enzyme kinetics and basic metabolism; understanding how each of these processes function and shape the living cell. Practical sessions offer you vital hands-on experience, learning key techniques and how to apply them. Core biochemical experience is highly relevant to applications in biotechnology and medical science. This module provides the foundation from which you may progress to higher level modules in Metabolism, Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry.

In order to take BIO1332 you must normally have an A Level (or equivalent) in Biology. An A Level (or equivalent) in Chemistry is also very useful.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to teach you core concepts in biochemistry including topics on structure of proteins, enzyme kinetics and metabolic pathways. The module will also provide a background to fundamental aspects of chemistry. This module provides you with the core knowledge and skills to enhance performance in the area of biological chemistry and is a pre-requisite for second year modules in Metabolism, Analytical Techniques in Biochemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, and final year modules in Energy Metabolism and in Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry.

Graduate attributes: as part of this module you will develop organised analytical skills and group / team work skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Explain the basic concepts of biochemistry
2. Recall the range and structures of biological molecules
3. Summarise the relationship between chemical structure and biological function
4. Identify metabolic pathways
5. Communicate key practical skills relating specifically to biochemistry
6. Illustrate essential elementary chemistry or structural organic chemistry

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

7. Describe the basic principles of biochemistry/chemical biology
8. Evaluate essential key facts and theory in a subdiscipline of the biosciences
9. Describe and begin to evaluate aspects of biochemistry with reference to textbook material
10. With guidance, deploy of established techniques of analysis, practical investigation and enquiry within biochemistry

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

11. Communicate ideas effectively by written means
12. With some guidance, study independently
13. With some guidance, select and properly manage information drawn from books

Syllabus plan

Biochemistry topics will include:

structure and properties of amino acids;
mechanisms of protein synthesis;
primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins;
forces which stabilise proteins;
fibrous and globular proteins;
proteins as enzymes and enzyme kinetics;
enzyme regulatory properties;
enzyme inhibitors and activators;
glycolysis;
tricarboxylic acid cycle;
pentose phosphate pathway and gluconeogenesis;
thermodynamics;
energy capture and production by chloroplasts and mitochondria;
carbon dioxide fixation by photosynthesis;
synthesis and catabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, purines, pyrimidines and isoprenoids.

Fundamental Aspects of Chemistry topics will include:

atomic structure and bonding;
nomenclature
carbon hybridisation;
structure and bonding in organic molecules.

Accessibility Statement:
As part of this module, you will undertake four laboratory sessions in the large teaching laboratory (of up to 200 students) that are of 2-3 hrs in duration. These sessions will be undertaken in groups, and some sessions involve fine laboratory work. Breaks are possible and students are able to leave the laboratory for short periods.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
35	115	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	20	Lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	12	Laboratory practicals (4 x 3 hours)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching	3	Drop-in Q&A sessions (3 x 1 hour)
Guided Independent Study	5	Pre-recorded lecture content to support laboratory practicals and Digital Worksheets
Guided Independent Study	6	Preparation for laboratory practicals
Guided Independent Study	60	Lecture consolidation and wider reading
Guided Independent Study	7	Preparation for, and completion of Digital Worksheets
Guided Independent Study	37	Examination revision

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
MCQs during in-person lectures	Ad-hoc	1-4, 6-8, 12-13	Oral
E-learning simulations	Ad-hoc	5, 7, 10	On-line

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
40	60	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Digital worksheet 1	20	Equivalent to 500 words	9-11	On-line
Digital worksheet 2	20	Equivalent to 500 words	9-11	On-line
MCQ examination	60	1 hour	1-4, 6-8, 12-13	Model answers
	0
	0
	0

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Digital worksheet 1	Digital worksheet (20%)	9-11	August Ref/Def
Digital worksheet 2	Digital worksheet (20%)	9-11	August Ref/Def
MCQ examination	MCQ examination (60%)	1-4, 6-8, 12-13	August Ref/Def

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons that are approved by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. If deferred, the format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). The mark given for a deferred assessment will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral - if you have failed the module (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) and the module cannot be condoned, you will be required to complete a re-assessment for each of the failed components on the module. The format and timing of the re-assessment for each of the summative assessments is detailed in the table above ('Details of re-assessment'). If you pass the module following re-assessment, your module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

For Biochemistry lectures:

Campbell NA, Reece JB (2008) Biology, 8th Ed. Pearson. ISBN 0-321-53616-7/0-321-53616-9 (Core text)

Specialist biochemistry textbooks:

Berg JM, Tymoczko JL, Stryer L (2012) Biochemistry, 7th Ed., Freeman ISBN 13: 978-1-4292-7635-1

For Chemistry lectures:

Clayden J et al. (2001) Organic Chemistry. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-850346-6
Winter (2016) Chemical Bonding, 2^nd Edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198700951

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE page: https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=9221

Key words search

Proteins, enzymes, amino acids, metabolism, sugars, energy, mitochondria, ATP synthesis, TCA cycle, kinetics, thermodynamics, glycolysis, photosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, chemistry, structural organic chemistry

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	4
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	27/04/2012
Last revision date	30/10/2023