Biochemistry (4 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

Student is able to
- describe the structureand the most important reactions of biomolecules
- descibe the significance of biomolecules to body functions
- explain how the genes guide the function of a cell
- define the most common reactions of metabolism, their significance and the factors affecting them

Content (course unit)

- structure, characteristic properties, reactions and functions of biomolecules
- genetic information flow
- stucture and function of enzymes
- metabolic reactions and their regulation

Exam schedules

Dates of the in class exams to be announced later.
Final exam on 14.12.2015.
Repeat exams: 26.1.2016 and 16.2.2016.

Note that the passed Biochemistry course is a prerequisite for the laboratory course in Biochemistry held in spring 2016.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Six in class exams will be given after specified chapters, 10 points each (total 60 points). No make-up exams will be given.
Comprehensive final exam (all the studied chapters included), 40 points.
The total accumulated points will be comprised of the in class exams and the final exam (total 100 points).
The following range for the course grades will be used:
<40 p. = 0
40-47 p. = 1
48-55 p. = 2
56-63 p. = 3
64-71 p. = 4
72-80 p. = 5

Repeat exams can be taken twice during the general repeat exam dates. The repeat exams are comprehensive and points of the in class exams are not valid (i.e. the repeat exam comprises 100 % of the course grade).

Teaching methods

Contact lessions
Assignments
Calculation exercises
Exams

Learning materials

Mary K. Campbell, Shawn O. Farrell. 2012. Biochemistry, International Edition. 7th edition.
ISBN: 9781111425647
Chapters: 1-4, 6-12, 15-21, 22, 23
Previous editions (5th or 6th) valid as well.
Lecture notes. Material in Tabula.

Student workload

Contact lessions 52 hours
Independent studying about 55 hours.

Further information

Prerequisites: Organic chemistry (partly)

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student is able to recognise and define the most important structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. The student is able to recognise the different classes of biomolecules and knows their most important functions in cells. The student has a basic knowledge of how the genes regulate different cellular functions. The student knows the basic principles of cellular metabolism.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student is able to describe the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as cell organelles and their most important fuctions. The student is able to recognise and explain the different classes of biomolecules and knows their functions in cells. The student understands the central principles and mechanisms of the transfer of biological information. The student is able to explain the central metabolic routes and knows their importance for the cells. The student has learnt the general view of the cellular functions.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

The student is able to describe elaborately the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, as well as cell organelles and their fuctions. The student is able to describe the different reactions, structure and functions of biomolecules and is anle to decribe their significance for vital functions. The student can explain the principles, mechanisms, and factors affecting to the transfer of biological information. The student knows the central cellular metabolic routes and the factors affecting to them. The student is also able to evalute their interactions. The student has learnt a good general view of the cellular functions.