CHE-20006: Biophysical Chemistry

To develop, expand upon and connect fundamental principles in physical chemistry to provide a deeper insight into the physical basis and behaviour of biomolecular systems.
To develop complex data processing and analysis skills.
To develop experimental and analytical laboratory skills
To develop problem solving and scientific writing skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe the interactions that are present in electrolyte solutions and the phenomena these interactions give rise to. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 4
Apply and evaluate the theories of electrolyte solutions through experiment and problem solving. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3, 4
Predict biological standard potentials and describe and analyse model mechanisms of enzyme catalysis and inhibition. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 4
Analyse enzyme kinetic data through experiment and problem solving to obtain system parameters and to classify types of enzyme inhibition. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3, 4
Evaluate the relationships between diffraction patterns and the corresponding crystal structures. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 4
Describe the main advantages and disadvantages of the most common structural biology tools and methods for high resolution structure determination. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 4
Describe and interpret the molecular structure of proteins and other biological macromolecules (e.g. DNA) at various levels. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 4
Write a concise and coherent laboratory report that displays appropriate standards of writing, referencing and presentation in chemistry. will be achieved by assessments: 2
Prepare and deliver an effective, professional oral presentation to a specialist audience. will be achieved by assessments: 3

Study hours

Lectures: 20 hours
Class tests: 2 hours
Laboratory practicals and problem classes: 36 hours
Independent study, report and oral presentation preparation: 92 hours

Description of Module Assessment

01: Class Test weighted 20%

In-class tests
Class tests (~2 hours in total spread across the semester) employing a variety of question styles, seen and unseen.

02: Laboratory Report weighted 15% (min pass mark of 40)

1000 word laboratory report
Word-processed laboratory report (1000 words) based on one of the laboratory practicals and assessed for data analysis / evaluation and compliance with standards of writing, referencing and presentation in chemistry.

03: Oral Presentation weighted 15% (min pass mark of 40)

Oral presentation (~10-15 minutes)
Presentations to be submitted electronically via the KLE for assessment against explicit criteria. Students will receive feedback on their presentations in sufficient time to enable them to act on the feedback prior to delivering the presentation. The delivery of the oral presentation will be assessed against explicit criteria and combined with the initial assessment of the presentation to arrive at an overall mark.

04: Unseen Exam weighted 50% (min pass mark of 35)

2-hour unseen examination
Consists of two equally weighted sections with a degree of choice in each: Section A short answer questions (10 marks each), Section B long answer questions (25 marks each).

Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.