BIOC30030 Biochemist's Toolkit

Academic Year 2020/2021

Introduction to the techniques and methods required for a modern biochemical approach to the problems of biology. These include biochemical assays, separation techniques and biomolecule analysis. The theory and practice of: spectrophotometry and fluorescence techniques, clinical biochemistry analysis, centrifugation, protein and nucleic acid isolation and chromatographic separation techniques. Analytical techniques such as SDS-electrophoresis, immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. The application of recombinant DNA technology with an emphasis on the generation of fusion and epitope-tagged proteins to help in the identification and purification of the expressed proteins. Molecular biology and cell biology techniques including cloning, gene silencing, flow cytometry and cell imaging.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:1. Analyse biological systems at the molecular, cellular levels as well as organs and whole animals. 3. Use spectrophotometric and fluorescence techniques to analyse and quantify biomolecules. 4. Develop strategies for protein purification and analyse biomolecules by electrophoretic techniques. 5.Utilize radioisotope methods for examining biological systems. 6.Understand how electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, light and fluorescence spectroscopy can be used to study biological tissues. 7.Know how to use preparative and analytical centrifugation procedures. 8. Understand the basis for a range of clinical biochemistry tests. 8. Explain how gene silencing techniques are used to deplete proteins in cell and animal studies.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

23

Practical

15

Specified Learning Activities

8

Autonomous Student Learning

66

Total

112

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; reflective learning; labwork; enquiry & problem-based learning 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is recommended that students taking this module have successfully completed BIOC20050 or other modules with equivalent learning outcomes.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: written exam, 2 hr 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

70

Continuous Assessment: Practical reports and Practical test Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No

30


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Patrick Caffrey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Jens Rauch Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Margaret Worrall Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Yan Yan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Niamh Duggan Tutor
Ms Manushak Hovsepyan Tutor
Saravjeet Singh Tutor