Module Information For Visiting and Erasmus Students
2014/15
Department*
School of Biochemistry & Immunology
Background to the School of Biochemistry & Immunology: The School is research
Notes intensive and has a strong international reputation for the quality of its scholarly activities.
The areas of research in Biochemistry include membrane proteins, enzymology, folic acid
biochemistry, structural biology, tRNA biology, neurochemistry, systems biology, cancer
biology, molecular parasitology, apoptosis, energy transduction and drug discovery. In the
area of Immunology our School is active in immunoregulation, immunomodulation, cell
signalling in immunity and inflammation, immunoparasitology, vaccine adjuvant research,
innate immunity and inflammation and viral subversion of immunity.
Our success in these areas is complemented by our substantial investment in cutting-edge
facilities for nuclear magnetic resonance, protein crystallization, X-ray crystallography,
transgenics, histochemistry, electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, and fluorescence
activated cell sorting. The School has a passion for discovery, an ability to generate new
knowledge, expertise in cutting-edge technologies, a flair for entrepreneurship and
innovation, as well as a commitment to communicating their passion and knowledge to
students.
Visiting/Erasmus Full Year Students: If visiting students require a full (60 ECTS) module program then they
Module Info on must take the full integrated lecture and practical Biochemistry programme that includes
Department BI3110, BI3120, BI3115, BI3015, BI3010, BI3140, BI3125 and a broad curriculum choice.
Website
One Semester or reduced ECTS students: Those who are not required to participate in a
full 60 ECTS programme or who are only in College for one semester can choose to take
modified subject modules up to their required number of ECTS from the following; BI3915,
BI3925, BI3935*, BI3115, BI3015, BI3415, BI3425*, BI3125 and a broad curriculum choice.
*note that BI3935 and BI3425 cannot be selected together.
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3110
Protein Structure
10
Semester/term Michaelmas
taught*
Contact Hours*
Approx. 60 including practical classes
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module consists of lectures covering proteins and enzymes. In particular lectures focus
Module Content/ on protein structure and function, enzyme regulation and enzyme activity. The lectures are
Description* complemented by practical classes that explore protein assays, enzyme kinetics and
structural biology.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Students taking this module will be assessed on practical write-ups, and end of year formal
Assessment
written examinations.
Details*
*Required fields.
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3120
Membrane & Cell Biology
10
Semester/term Michaelmas
taught*
Contact Hours*
Approx. 60 including practical classes
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module covers the structure and function of biological membranes, the cytokeleton,
Module Content/ signal transduction pathways and associated pathological conditions important to human
Description* health that are related to these aspects of cell physiology. These lectures align with
practicals that investigate ion transporter function, assays of cAMP signalling,
receptor/ligand binding and cell culture techniques.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Students taking this module will be assessed on practical write-ups, and end of year formal
Assessment
written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3115
Biochemical Analysis I
5
Semester/term Michaelmas
taught*
Contact Hours*
Approx. 30 hours
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This is a practical module that teaches core research skills in general biochemical
Module Content/ techniques, maintaining of accurate laboratory records and data, literature evaluation and
Description* quantitative problem solving.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Students taking this module will be assessed on literature skills, quantitative problem solving
Assessment
abilities and end of year formal written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3015
Literature Skills
5
Semester/term Michaelmas
taught*
Contact Hours*
Approx. 10 hours
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This is a self-directed learning module where students choose a mini-review topic and
Module Content/ develop a detailed knowledge on a focused area of biochemical research. Students will be
Description* guided in tutorials and the aim of this module is to develop critical thinking, improve general
knowledge and enhance writing skills that will prepare students for their final year of
undergraduate study and provide broad transferable skills for their future careers.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Assessment Students taking this module will be assessed on literature skills and the ability to write a
Details* comprehensive review of current scientific literature on a focused topic.
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3010
Nucleic Acids
10
Semester/term Hilary
taught*
Contact Hours*
Approx. 60 including practical classes
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module consists of lectures covering the structure and function of nucleic acids and the
Module Content/ molecular basis of gene regulation, including DNA replication and repair, transcription and
Description* translation. Practicals focus on using molecular biology techniques to generate recombinant
proteins.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Students taking this module will be assessed on practical write-ups, and end of year formal
Assessment
written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3140
Biochemistry in Health & Disease
10
Semester/term Hilary
taught*
Contact Hours*
Approx. 60 including practical classes
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module explores how imbalances in metabolism result in disease. It covers biochemical
Module Content/ defence mechanisms against infection and also looks at pharmaceutical drug discovery.
Description* Practical classes address aspects of cancer metabolism and evasion of the immune system
by tropical parasites.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Students taking this module will be assessed on practical write-ups, and end of year formal
Assessment
written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3125
Biochemical Ananlysis II
5
Semester/term Hilary
taught*
Contact Hours*
Approx. 30 hours
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module is a follow on from BI3115 in the first semester and is another practical module
Module Content/ that teaches core skills in data manipulation and statistical analysis, as well as problem
Description* solving of quantitative problems.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Students taking this module will be assessed on literature skills, quantitative problem solving
Assessment
abilities and end of year formal written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3915
Protein Structure 2
5
Semester/term Michaelmas
taught*
Contact Hours*
30
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module consists of the same lectures found in BI3110 covering proteins and enzymes,
Module Content/ but no practicals. In particular lectures focus on protein structure and function, enzyme
Description* regulation and enzyme activity.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Assessment Students taking this module will be assessed by end of year formal written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3925
Membrane & Cell Biology 2
5
Semester/term Michaelmas
taught*
Contact Hours*
30
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module consists of the same lectures found in BI3120 covering the structure and
Module Content/ function of biological membranes, the cytokeleton, signal transduction pathways and
Description* associated pathological conditions important to human health that are related to these
aspects of cell physiology. There are no practicals in this modified module.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Assessment Students taking this module will be assessed by end of year formal written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3935
Core Concepts in Immunology 2
5
Semester/term Michaelmas
taught*
Contact Hours*
30
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module introduces fundamental processes and molecules associated with the immune
Module Content/
system. Immune responses to pathogens, and autoimmunity will be explored.
Description*
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Assessment Students taking this module will be assessed by end of year formal written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3415
Nucleic Acids 2
5
Semester/term Hilary
taught*
Contact Hours*
30
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module consists of the same lectures found in BI3120 covering the structure and
Module Content/ function of biological membranes, the cytokeleton, signal transduction pathways and
Description* associated pathological conditions important to human health that are related to these
aspects of cell physiology. There are no practicals in this modified module.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Assessment Students taking this module will be assessed by end of year formal written examinations.
Details*
Module Code*
Module Name*
ECTS Weighting*
BI3425
Biochemistry in Health and Disease 2
5
Semester/term Hilary
taught*
Contact Hours*
30
Module
Personnel
Learning
Outcomes
Module Learning
Aims
This module contains the same lectures as BI3140 and explores how imbalances in
Module Content/ metabolism result in disease. It covers biochemical defence mechanisms against infection
Description* and also looks at pharmaceutical drug discovery. Practical classes address aspects of
cancer metabolism and evasion of the immune system by tropical parasites. There are no
practicals in this modified module.
Recommended
Reading List
Module Pre
Requisite
Module Co
Requisite
Assessment Students taking this module will be assessed by end of year formal written examinations.
Details*