PDF for print Find calendar

Bioorganic Chemistry

Title
Bioorganic Chemistry
Semester
F2023
Master programme in
Chemistry * / Environmental Biology * / Chemical Biology / Molecular Health Science
Type of activity

Course

Teaching language
English
Study regulation

Read about the Master Programme and find the Study Regulations at ruc.dk

Læs mere om uddannelsen og find din studieordning på ruc.dk

REGISTRATION AND STUDY ADMINISTRATIVE
Registration

Sign up for study activities at stads selvbetjening within the announced registration period, as you can see on the Studyadministration homepage.

When signing up for study activities, please be aware of potential conflicts between study activities or exam dates.

The planning of activities at Roskilde University is based on the recommended study programs which do not overlap. However, if you choose optional courses and/or study plans that goes beyond the recommended study programs, an overlap of lectures or exam dates may occur depending on which courses you choose.

Number of participants

The Master Programme/Institute reserves the right to cancel the course if fewer than 8 studentes are registered for the course.

ECTS
5
Responsible for the activity
William Goldring (goldring@ruc.dk)
Frederik Diness (diness@ruc.dk)
Head of study
Anders Malmendal (amalm@ruc.dk)
Teachers
Study administration
INM Registration & Exams (inm-exams@ruc.dk)
Exam code(s)
U60050
ACADEMIC CONTENT
Overall objective

Biological molecules are a source of inspiration for understanding nature and its biosynthetic processes, together with the discovery and development of new medicines. The objective of the course is to describe and illustrate the chemistry of biological molecules, such as the primary and secondary metabolites, together with their biogenetic origin and role in nature. Using examples from nature, the major biosynthetic pathways will be discussed. Furthermore, the important role these molecules play in nature and their pharmacological significance as medicines for humans will be described. A determination of natural product class and biogenesis of biological molecules, based on an analysis of the key building blocks used to assemble their structures in nature, will be covered.

Detailed description of content

The principal roles of biological molecules, including the primary and secondary metabolites (natural products), and their structural and chemical properties will be described and illustrated. A determination of natural product class and biogenesis of biological molecules, based on an analysis of the key building blocks used to assemble their structures in Nature, will be described.

Biological molecules, with their interesting structures and important biological activity, are a source of inspiration for understanding Nature and its biosynthetic processes, together with the discovery and development of new medicines. The chemistry of biological molecules, such as the primary and secondary metabolites, together with their biogenetic origin and role in Nature will be described and illustrated.

Using examples from Nature, the major biosynthetic pathways for the production of secondary metabolites (natural products), such as fatty acids and polyketides, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and isoprenoids, will be discussed. Furthermore, the important role these molecules play in Nature and their pharmacological significance as medicines for humans will be described.

Detailed Teaching Objectives and Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the course the student will be able to demonstrate and apply:

Knowledge of

  • The structure, chemical properties and biogenetic origins of bioorganic molecules, which includes the primary metabolites (amino acids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids) and secondary metabolites (natural products).

  • The activity of biological molecules, including their role in Nature and medicinal applications in human health.

Skills in

  • Identifying structural elements and features of bioorganic molecules, together with the biosynthetic pathways and mechanisms leading to their structures.

  • Problem-solving, independent learning and the application of methods to solve unfamiliar problems.

Learning outcomes

  • Read and understand scientific literature concerning bioorganic molecules.

  • Be able to examine and classify a natural product structure, and understand and/or propose how it is constructed in Nature using the basic building blocks of biosynthesis.

  • Understand the chemical reactivity of bioorganic molecules.

  • Have a basic knowledge of the role and activity of biological molecules.

Course material and Reading list

Textbook:

Organic Chemistry with Biological Applications, 3rd Ed., J. McMurry, Cengage Learning, 2015. Chapters 19-25.

Other recommended reading:

Fox and Whitesell, Organic Chemistry, 3rd Ed., Jones and Bartlett, London, 2004.

Mann, Chemical Aspects of Biosynthesis, ed. Davies, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1994. Oxford Chemistry Primers No 20.

Hanson, Natural Products: the Secondary Metabolites, ed. Abel, Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, 2003, Tutorial Chemistry Texts No 17.

Overall plan and expected work effort

5 ECTS corresponds to 135 hours of work

The work load for the student:

Preparation time Contact time

  • Lectures and workshops: 40 hours

Study and preparation time:

  • Reading and self-revision problems: 20 hours

  • Theoretical problem preparation: 20 hours

  • Reading time: 25 hours

  • Revision and exam preparation: 30 hours

Total 135 hours

Format
Evaluation and feedback

The course includes formative evaluation based on dialogue between the students and the teacher(s).

Students are expected to provide constructive critique, feedback and viewpoints during the course if it is needed for the course to have better quality. Every other year at the end of the course, there will also be an evaluation through a questionnaire in SurveyXact. The Study Board will handle all evaluations along with any comments from the course responsible teacher.

Furthermore, students can, in accordance with RUCs ‘feel free to state your views’ strategy through their representatives at the study board, send evaluations, comments or insights form the course to the study board during or after the course.

Programme

The course is organized around a combination of lectures (powerpoint, boardwork, and discussion; 30 hrs) and problem solving workshops (10 hrs). See study.ruc.dk for a detailed coure schedule, and the course page on Moodle for a schedule, course description and other documents, together with lecture notes and problem solving questions.

Each lecture section is followed by a problem solving workshop, organized according to the course schedule on Moodle. Students will find questions associated with a particular lecture section either at the end of the set of lecture notes, or as separate files uploaded to the course Moodle page. Students are expected to complete or attempt the problem solving questions associated with a particular workshop, before it takes place, and be prepared to present their solutions, in whole or in part, during the workshop.

ASSESSMENT
Overall learning outcomes

After successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

  • account for the structure, chemical properties and biogenetic origins of bioorganic molecules, which includes the primary metabolites (amino acids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids) and secondary metabolites (natural products)

  • account for the activity of biological molecules and relate this to their role in nature and medicinal applications in human health

  • identify structural elements and features of bioorganic molecules, together with the biosynthetic pathways and mechanisms leading to their structures

  • apply this knowledge in new contexts

  • use scientific literature concerning bioorganic molecules in problem solving

  • examine and classify a natural product structure, and understand and/or propose how it is constructed using the basic building blocks of biosynthesis

  • relate the chemical reactivity of bioorganic molecules to their chemical structure.

Form of examination
Individual written invigilated exam.

The duration of the exam is 3 hours.

Permitted support and preparation materials for the exam: Computer without internet access during the exam, pocket calculator, course material and own notes.


Assessment: Pass/Fail.
Moderation: Internal co-assessor.
Form of Re-examination
Samme som ordinær eksamen / same form as ordinary exam
Type of examination in special cases
Examination and assessment criteria

The individual written invigilated exam is based on a set of problem solving questions.

Assesment criteria:

  • account for the structure, chemical properties and biogenetic origins of bioorganic molecules, which includes the primary metabolites (amino acids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids) and secondary metabolites (natural products)

  • account for the activity of biological molecules and relate this to their role in nature and medicinal applications in human health

  • identify structural elements and features of bioorganic molecules, together with the biosynthetic pathways and mechanisms leading to their structures

  • apply problem based skills and methods to solve unfamiliar problems

  • examine and classify a natural product structure, and understand and/or propose how it is constructed in Nature using the basic building blocks of biosynthesis

  • relate the chemical reactivity of bioorganic molecules to their chemical structure

Exam code(s)
Exam code(s) : U60050
Last changed 06/03/2023

lecture list:

Show lessons for Subclass: 1 Find calendar (1) PDF for print (1)

Thursday 09-02-2023 10:15 - 09-02-2023 12:00 in week 06
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 13-02-2023 14:15 - 13-02-2023 16:00 in week 07
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 16-02-2023 10:15 - 16-02-2023 12:00 in week 07
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 23-02-2023 10:15 - 23-02-2023 12:00 in week 08
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 27-02-2023 14:15 - 27-02-2023 16:00 in week 09
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 02-03-2023 10:15 - 02-03-2023 12:00 in week 09
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 09-03-2023 10:15 - 09-03-2023 12:00 in week 10
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 13-03-2023 14:15 - 13-03-2023 16:00 in week 11
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 16-03-2023 10:15 - 16-03-2023 12:00 in week 11
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 23-03-2023 10:15 - 23-03-2023 12:00 in week 12
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 27-03-2023 14:15 - 27-03-2023 16:00 in week 13
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 30-03-2023 10:15 - 30-03-2023 12:00 in week 13
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 03-04-2023 14:15 - 03-04-2023 16:00 in week 14
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 13-04-2023 10:15 - 13-04-2023 12:00 in week 15
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 17-04-2023 14:15 - 17-04-2023 16:00 in week 16
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 20-04-2023 10:15 - 20-04-2023 12:00 in week 16
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 24-04-2023 14:15 - 24-04-2023 16:00 in week 17
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 27-04-2023 10:15 - 27-04-2023 12:00 in week 17
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 01-05-2023 14:15 - 01-05-2023 16:00 in week 18
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 04-05-2023 10:15 - 04-05-2023 12:00 in week 18
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Monday 08-05-2023 14:15 - 08-05-2023 16:00 in week 19
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Thursday 11-05-2023 10:15 - 11-05-2023 12:00 in week 19
Bioorganic Chemistry (CB)

Tuesday 30-05-2023 10:00 - 30-05-2023 13:00 in week 22
Bioorganic Chemistry - Exam (CB)

Wednesday 09-08-2023 10:00 - 09-08-2023 13:00 in week 32
Bioorganic Chemistry - Reexam (CB)