Module FXX-1005:
Chem. in Biol. and Environ.

Module Facts

Run by School of Natural Sciences

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 2

Organiser: Dr Lorrie Murphy

Overall aims and purpose

This module aims to introduce students to various chemical processes and the properties and reactions of a range of molecules that they are likely to encounter during the course of their studies in environmental and biological sciences.

Course content

Pre-requisites GCSE Chemistry or FXX0010 preferred or equivalent qualifications.

This course comprises of two main areas:

(1) Chemistry in Biological Systems - Selected Topics

(6 lectures) Light, Colour and Vision Covering aspects of the fundamental properties of light, colour and vision chemistry. A series of coloured, fluorescent and chemi-luminescent molecules will be introduced in terms of their distribution in nature and their reactions.

(6 hour lectures) Bio-active Molecules An introduction to biologically active compounds: including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and secondary metabolites..

(2) Chemistry in the Environment - (12 lectures)
This series of lectures will examine examples of the key underlying chemistry relevant to processes in the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere.

Course Team: Dr V Thoss (6 lectures), Dr L Murphy (12 lectures), Dr H Tai (6 lectures).

RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS ESSENTIAL READING - None RECOMMENDED READING 1. "Environmental Chemistry", 9th Ed., S E Manahan, (Available as BU Library E-book)SPECIFIC RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENTS - None

Assessment Criteria

threshold

Threshold (40%). Knowledge and understanding of the content covered in the course is basic; Problems of a routine nature are generally adequately solved.

good

Good (~60%). Knowledge base covers all essential aspects of subject matter dealt with in the programme and shows good evidence of enquiry beyond this. Conceptual understanding is good. Problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature are solved in a logical manner; solutions are generally correct and acceptable.

excellent

Excellent (>70%). Knowledge base is extensive and extends well beyond the work covered in the programme. Conceptual understanding is outstanding. Problems of a familiar and unfamiliar nature are solved with efficiency and accuracy; problem-solving procedures are adjusted to the nature of the problem.

Learning outcomes

  1. On succesful completion of the module you will be able to describe key chemical processes studies relating to the atmosphere, hydrosphere and geosphere.

  2. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to describe the chemical process and chemical structures of photoproteins in human eyes which allow us to see light and colours.

  3. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to describe the differences between bioluminescence and biofluorescence, and give examples from nature which have these properties.

  4. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to describe the interactions of light with organic molecules using molecular orbital theory.

  5. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to draw chemical structures and representations of some of the major classes of biomolecules and explain their importance in nature.

  6. On successful completion of the module, you will be able to define biologically-active compounds in relation to the concentration at which an effect is observed.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
EXAM Examination

exact date in semester 2 exam period to be specified by University Academic Registry staff

 67
CLASS TEST test 1

exact date in semester 2 to be confirmed in timetable late Feb/early March

 16.5
CLASS TEST Test 2

exact date in semester 2 will be confirmed in the timetable late March/Early April depending on Easter

 16.5

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Private study

Private Study 76 hours

 76
Lecture

The module has 24 lectures scheduled at two sessions per week. Contact time 24h.

 24

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance

Courses including this module