BIOCHEMISTRY - A CONCEPTUAL OVERVIEW - 2019/0
Module code: BMS1041
Module Overview
In this module students will be taken on a learning journey through protein structure and function, emphasising their importance in the biochemical processes which occur within living cells. Students will explore the contributions of lipid molecules and sugars to cellular ATP production, and will be introduced to the important role that the TCA cycle and electron transport systems have in production of ATP. Students will undertake practical classes which highlight and develop the concepts taught within the module, and which will enhance their understanding of the key concepts.
Module provider
School of Biosciences and Medicine
Module Leader
BAILEY Ian (Biosc & Med)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 4
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Workshop Hours: 1
Independent Learning Hours: 120
Lecture Hours: 29
Tutorial Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 6
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
BMS1049
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Proteins and enzymes
- Carbohydrates and glycolysis
- Lipids and oxidation
- TCA cycle
- Electron transport and ATP synthesis
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Practical based assessment | PRACTICAL PROFORMA | 40 |
| Examination | EXAM | 60 |
Alternative Assessment
Data analysis
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate a deep understanding of the fundamental principles around molecular biochemistry and cellular energy generation.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- One synoptic practical report
- One exam with multiple choice and short essay questions.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment will be through online MCQ and within practical classes and formative writing workshops
Feedback
Feedback will be continuous and linked to formative assessments practical classes and workshops, in depth feedback will be provided on the practical report submission.
Module aims
- Develop confidence and competence with practical and analytical skills in key biochemical methods.
- Provide a breadth of understanding of the levels of protein structure, and how amino acids infuence the three dimensional folding of protein molecules.
- Provide a breaths of undertsanding of enzyme kinetics and mechanism of reaction.
- Provide a breadth of understanding of the structure and function of lipid moleciles and their synthesis, in particular the role of lipids in the generation of cellular energy.
- Provide a breadth of understanding of the use of glucose in glycolysis and the importance of this process in the generation of cellular energy.
- Provide a breadth of understanding of the essential role of the TCA cycle in maximising the yield of cellular enery from biological fuels.
- Provide breadth of understanding of the process of electron transport and its importance in synthesising ATP, in addition to a comparison between light independent photosynthesis and the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
| 001 | Protein structure and function • Describe the primary structure of a protein, and explain how this influences the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures | KC |
| 002 | Enzyme kinetics • Describe the concepts of Km and Vmax, and explain how these parameters can be derived from simple experimental data | KCPT |
| 003 | Glycolysis • Discuss key regulatory points within glycolysis and explain the importance of glycolysis within cellular ATP generation. | KC |
| 004 | Lipids • Highlight the role of lipids as a source of acetyl-coA for cellular metabolism, and explain their role in long term energy generation. | KC |
| 005 | TCA cycle • Discuss the central role of the TCA cycle within cellular metabolism and explain how it maximises the production of ATP from sources of cellular fuel. | KC |
| 006 | Electron transport chain • Compare and contrast the generation of ATP from the mitochondrial and chloroplast electron transport chains. | KC |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Enhance and develop the students understanding of biological reactions as processes and as parts of a larger whole. To further support and enhance the students writing and communication skills.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- Lectures
- 2 Practicals
- Writing and peer review workshops
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS1041
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microbiology BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biomedical Science BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Veterinary Biosciences BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biological Sciences BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biochemistry BSc (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biochemistry MSci (Hons) | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.