General provisions

The course is given in semester 1 and 2 in Biomedical Laboratory Science programme and consists of theoretical studies and practical proficiency training.

The aim of the course is that the students acquire the bases in biochemistry and molecular Biology and corresponding methodology, that is required for an  understanding of later courses in the program.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements and Biology 2, Physics 1a or 1b1+1b2, Chemistry 2, Mathematics 3b or 3c/Mathematics C

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• describe the principles behind, illustrate applications of and discuss advantages and disadvantages with different methods/methodology that has been taken up during the course (chemical, biochemical and molecular genetic)
• describe basic chemical concept such as chemical binding, reversible processes, chemical equilibria and thermodynamics
• describe the most important functional groups and their properties in organic chemistry and basic organic nomenclature including stereochemical descriptors
• identify the most common biochemical building blocks and macromolecules and explain relationships between structure and function for these molecules and how their properties influence analysis of the molecules
• explain how enzymes work and how enzyme activity is affected (in vivo and in vitro) and analysed (enzyme kinetics) and how enzymes can be used for analytical purposes
• describe the general structure of cell membranes and identify and compare various types of transport over membranes
• describe biochemical information transfer i.e. the processes replication, transcription and translation, and explain how the processes are controlled and regulated and furthermore be able to discuss differences in these processes and in the organisation of the genome between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• explain and illustrate how differences at the genetic level can give effects at the biological level
• describe how biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates and lipids) are turned over in living cells and how the processes are regulated normally and under certain pathological conditions
• describe the human need of different nutrients and their occurrence in the diet and how one decides the energy and nutritional requirement and how they vary at different physiological conditions
• present the energy production/consumption in different reaction pathways and explain how an energy-wasting loop between biosynthesis and degradation is prevented or regulated

Competence and skills

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• carry out different types of practical laboratory work (chemical, biochemical and molecular genetic) by means of oral and written laboratory instructions in a safe way, and be able to analyse, interpret and present the results and the theoretical background in the form of laboratory reports/laboratory journals
• apply the basic chemical concepts to describe how atoms and molecules interact in chemical and biological systems
• integrate knowledge to explain the biochemical background of different chemical, biological and medical processes
• carry out some simple searches in relevant databases
• carry out quantitative calculations for e.g. stoichiometry, spectrophotometry, acid/base equilibria

Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• demonstrate co-operation ability in the practical laboratory work and with teachers and fellow students
• discuss ethical and sustainability issues at a basic level

Content

Module 1

The table of the elements and the chemistry of the most important elements, the occurrence of the elements, their chemical speciation in the human body, isotope theory, solubility and complex formation. Basic acid-base theory, titrimetric curves, isoelectric point, buffer capacity. Stoichiometry, chemical equilibria, chemical binding, dissociation constants.

Structure and reactivity of important organic molecules. Chemical properties of amino acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. The basics in quantitative analytical work. Analytical methods based on spectroscopy in the UV and visible light spectrum and fluorescens. Risk assessment of chemicals and costings. Basic thermodynamics, equilibrium, coupled reactions, the role of ATP in biological systems. Structure, function and kinetics of enzymes. Membranes and transport.

Antibody-based methods. Markers. Separation, purification and analysis of biomolecules.

Module 2

Chemical properties of nucleic acids. Biosynthesis of DNA, RNA and protein. Genotype and phenotype. Usage and design of pro- and eukaryotic vectors. Enzymes as tools in gene technology. Cloning of DNA. PCR. Current techniques based on DNA and RNA. Proteomics. Ethics.

Module 3

High-energetic molecules. Energy metabolism in the cell. The metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and amino acids. Nutrition.

Instruction

The teaching is in the form of lectures, web-based teaching, laboratory sessions, group work and seminars. For laboratory work, it is required that the student is familiar with safety regulations.

Assessment

Examination takes place as written examination after each module. An examination of practical skills is also included. Approved laboratory sessions and other compulsory parts are also required for the grade pass, and where appropriate participation at demonstrations and study visits. If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may decide to make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. Special circumstances can include notification of special educational support from the University's disability coordinator.

Students who have not passed the examination have a right to perform 4 additional examination attempts (i.e. 5 examination attempts in total). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee can admit additional examinations. Every time the student participates in an examination is regarded as an examination attempt. Submission of a 'blank' examination paper counts as an examination attempt.