BIOCHEMISTRY

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Professor K Docherty

Pre-requisites

BI 20M3 and BI 25M7

Overview

• How enzymes function using selected examples; to include the role played by metal ions and co-enzymes, enzyme kinetics, inhibition of enzyme activity


• The actions of selected enzymes; to include chymotrypsin, aspartate- and metallo- proteases, impact on medicine


• How enzymes are regulated; to include allosteric regulation, covalent modification, isozymes, precursor processing


• The background rational and experimental evidence for the traditional concept of a rate-limiting enzyme in the regulation of flux through metabolic pathways


• The concept of metabolic control analysis to explain how flux through metabolic pathways is regulated; to include the flux control coefficient of each enzyme in a pathway


• The concepts of chemiosmosis and intracellular homeostasis


• The structural and functional features of selected membrane transport proteins


• The mechanisms that regulate body mass and the resultant metabolic diseases that occur when these go awry


• The current status of understanding of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Molecular mechanisms that regulate cell shape and movement; to include cellular cytoskeleton biochemistry

• Selected aspects of cell signalling including the operation of tyrosine kinase receptors, G-proteins, lipid-derivatives and calcium ions as second messengers, cell signalling in the immune system


• The nuclear receptor superfamily and describe the overall mechanism of action of steroid receptors and related non-steroid receptors (thyroid hormone, retinoic acid, vitamin D receptors)


• The tissue specificity of hormone response as regards glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids


• The molecules and mechanisms that govern cell-cell adhesion and cell-matrix interactions

Structure

3 one hour lectures per week and 1 all day practical (7 hours) every week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%) consisting of an essay and practical reports.

Resit: 1 three-hour written examination (70%) and in-course assessment (30%) consisting of an essay and practical reports.

Formative Assessment

• Mock exam allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.


• Practice exam essay allows students to write under exam conditions and receive feedback on their performance.


• Case-study exercise with feedback in preparation for summative assessments.


• PRS-based revision sessions allow students to practice for MCQ tests and receive feedback on their performance.


• PRS-based MCQ in lectures/practicals.


• Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.


• Problem-solving sessions.

Feedback

• Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.


• Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.


• Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.


• Written comments will be provided on the mock exam question.


• Students are given general feedback on performance during PRS revision sessions.


• Students receive on-line feedback on completion of the MCQ tests and quizzes.


• PRS MCQ assessment answers discussed at the end of assessment session. Immediate feedback on practice questions available on MyAberdeen.


• Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr B Muller

Pre-requisites

BC 3503, MB 3006, and GN 3502 or MC 3504, and 30 other credit points at level 3.

Co-requisites

BC 4514, MB 4050.

Overview

The formal teaching comprises two options each 15h contact time. Each option will cover separate areas of Biochemistry working from the original literature under the supervision of 1-3 members of staff.

Structure

Two essays will be written and examined. All students are required to prepare for, and to attend, a reading party in the week prior to term. Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the Head of School.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 elements (33.3%), in-course assessment in the form of two essays, 4 elements (66.7%) in the form of a single three hour exam paper.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr B Muller

Pre-requisites

IM 3501, MB 3006 and GN 3502 OR MC 3504 and 30 other credit points at level 3.

Co-requisites

BC 4515, MB 4050.

Overview

The formal teaching comprises two options each 15h contact time. Each option will cover seperate areas of Biochemistry working from the original literature under the supervision of 1-3 members of staff.

Structure

Two essays will be written and examined. All students are required to prepare for, and to attend, a reading party in the week prior to term. Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the Head of School.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 elements (33.3%), in-course assessment in the form of two essays, 4 elements (66.7%)in the form of a single three hour exam paper.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Professor K Docherty

Pre-requisites

BC 3503, MB 3006, GN 3502 or MC 3504 and 30 other credit points at level 3.

Co-requisites

BC 4012, MB 4050

Overview

The core element of the course is a research project that involves 10 weeks laboratory work and production of a thesis. Assessment is on the basis of the performance in the laboratory, the thesis, and the project seminar. Two research tutorials will be organised by academic staff and will be assessed by examination at the end of the semester. Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the Head of School.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 two-hour examinations (2 elements each) and 1 four-hour examination (3 elements) (63.6%); in-course assessment (36.4%).