BL2306 Biochemistry

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 8

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: 9.00 am Thu, Fri (odd weeks), 9.00 am Wed, Thu, Fri (even weeks) Practicals: 2.00 pm - 5.00 pm Mon or Tue (weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr J Nairn

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Due to recent technological developments, metabolism and its regulation has re-emerged as an important area of Biology. This module will examine major biological macromolecules, the common motifs which occur in metabolic reactions, explore the properties of enzymes catalysing these reactions and consider the approaches to characterise the small molecule complement (metabolites) of biological systems. A number of central metabolic pathways and their control will be studied in detail, alongside examples of their importance in disease and recent metabolomic studies.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL1101 AND PASS BL1102

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

2-Hour Written Examination = 50%, Existing Coursework = 50% (if Exam failed) Existing Examination = 50%, New Coursework = 50% (if Coursework failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (if coursework and exam failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (for Qualified Honours Entry)

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Across the semester: 23 x 1h lectures, 4 x 1h tutorials, 6 x 3h practicals

Scheduled learning hours

42

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

108

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

BL2306 Biochemistry

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 8

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: 9.00-10.00am Thursday and Friday (weeks 1,3,5,7,9&12), 9.00-10.00am Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (weeks 2,4,6,8&11) Practicals: 2.00-5.00 pm Monday or Tuesday (weeks 1,3,5,7,9&11)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr J Nairn

Dr J Nairn
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Due to recent technological developments, metabolism and its regulation has re-emerged as an important area of Biology. This module will examine major biological macromolecules, the common motifs which occur in metabolic reactions, explore the properties of enzymes catalysing these reactions and consider the approaches to characterise the small molecule complement (metabolites) of biological systems. A number of central metabolic pathways and their control will be studied in detail, alongside examples of their importance in disease and recent metabolomic studies.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL1101 AND PASS BL1102

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

2-Hour Written Examination = 50%, Existing Coursework = 50% (if Exam failed) Existing Examination = 50%, New Coursework = 50% (if Coursework failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (if coursework and exam failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (for Qualified Honours Entry)

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Across the semester: 23 x 1h lectures, 4 x 1h tutorials, 6 x 3h practicals

Scheduled learning hours

42

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

108

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Explain the chemistry and structure of the major biological macromolecules and how that determines their biological properties
  • Mine, manipulate and interpret data from small molecule and macromolecular databases
  • Explain the chemical and thermodynamic principles underlying biological catalysis and the role of enzymes and other proteins in determining the function and fate of cells and organisms
  • Conduct experiments to explore enzyme activity
  • Demonstrate a critical understanding of essential features of cell metabolism and its control, including topics such as energy and signal transduction, respiration and photosynthesis
  • Appreciate the diversity of small molecules within cells, their dynamic concentration range and how to study these, both individually and as part of a metabolome