Module Search

CHEM2051: BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type	Open
Level	2
Credits	20
Availability	Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location	Durham
Department	Chemistry

Prerequisites

Core Chemistry 1 (CHEM1078) AND Mathematical and Experimental Tools required in Chemistry (CHEM1111)

Corequisites

Chemistry of the Elements (CHEM2077) OR Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry (CHEM2087) OR Properties of Molecules (CHEM2097) OR Inorganic Concepts and Applications (CHEM3097) OR Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHEM3117) OR Molecules and their Interactions (CHEM3137)

Excluded Combinations of Modules

This module may not be taken in the same year of study as Computational Chemistry (CHEM2061)

Aims

To emphasise and expand undergraduates' application of chemical knowledge to biological systems.

Content

Peptides and peptidomimetics: Structure and properties of natural amino-acids. Peptide synthesis. Peptoid chemistry.
Sugars and lipids: structure and reactions. Synthesis. Biological role.
Metals in biological systems: Bioinorganic chemistry of metals. Structure and mechanisma of selected metalloenzymes.
Information retrieval.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Explain the importance of metals in life processes.
Design and plan methods for the synthesis of oligo-peptides and saccharides.
Have a good understanding of the structure and reactivity of amino-acids, peptides, sugars and lipids and their importance in biological chemistry.

Subject-specific Skills:

Deliver a flash presentation in an area of relevant literature (a short 2-3-minute PowerPoint presentation on topic)

Key Skills:

Written communication advanced through the use of essay type questions in lecture-support worksheets.
Problem-solving developed through workshops.
Demonstrate presentation skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures are used to convey concepts and are examined by written papers. This is the best method to assess the knowledge of the students.
Workshops are larger groups of students where problems are considered and common difficulties shared. This ensures that students have understood the work and can apply it to real life situations. These are formatively assessed.
The presentation allows students to develop their presentation skills and communicate information in their own words.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total	Monitored
Lectures	21	1-2 per week	1 Hour	21
Workshops	3	1-2 per term	1.5 Hours	4.5	Yes
Preparation and Reading				174.5
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 75%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Written examination	Two hours	100	Two hour written examination

Component: Presentation		Component Weighting: 25%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Presentation		100	1 hour written examination

Formative Assessment

Set work in preparation for workshops

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our FAQ webpages, Help page or our glossary of terms. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.