CH1FC3-Molecular Studies for the Life Sciences

Module Provider: Chemistry
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: This module is an option for BSc Microbiology and BSc Biomedical Science students who have A level Chemistry at Grade C or below. Food students are required to take this module.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: CH1OR1 Shape, Structure and Reactivity in Organic Chemistry or CH1OR2 Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry or CH1ORB Organic Chemistry for Biologists or CH1IN1 Fundamentals of Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table or CH1IN4 Inorganic Chemistry for Biological Sciences or CH1PH1 Physical Processes and Molecular Organisation or CH1PH2 Physical Processes for Biologists
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Silvia Baldanza
Email: s.baldanza@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Designed specifically for students in the life sciences, this module builds on the key chemical concepts for the molecular sciences, covering core ideas in physical, inorganic and organic chemistry. This module follows on from CH1FC1, but can also be taken as a stand-alone module.Ìý

Aims:
This module develops the concepts introduced in CH1FC1 and provides a comprehensive background in chemistry for biological and food scientists. It has a specific emphasis on the chemistry required for the life sciences and the material is illustrated in case studies and workshops relevant to these students.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Students should have a good understanding of all the topics outlined below. In addition they should appreciate the relevance of the material to applications in the life sciences and especially food science. Students should be able to perform calculations and solve problems on any of the areas covered.

Additional outcomes:

Students will develop confidence in applying the language and terminology of chemistry in biological situations, will improve their numeracy skills and have opportunity for small group work in the problem solving sessions.Ìý

Outline content:

1. Reacting molecules and energy. Energy changes in biological reactions. Energy heat and work. Calorimetry. Enthalpy and Entropy. Gibbs free energy. Free energy and metabolic pathways. (2 lectures, 1 workshop)


2. Reacting molecules and kinetics. Factors determining reaction rates. Activation energy (2 lectures, 1 workshop).


3. Equilibrium in chemical reactions. Equilibrium constant and relation to reaction free energy. Acids and bases. Determination and de finition of pH and pKa. (2 lectures, 1 workshop)


4. Free energy and redox potentials. Obtaining energy for life. Electron transport reactions. Energy transfer and storage in metabolic pathways. (2 lectures, 1 workshop)


5. The periodic table, structure, hybridisation and orbital energy level diagrams (2 lectures, 1 workshop)


6. Nomenclature in organic chemistry (2 lectures, 1 workshop)


7. Shape, stereochemistry and chirality in molecules, includ ing E/Z alkenes, Cahn-Ingold-Prelog rules for nomenclature and the problem of enantiomers. (2 lectures, 1 workshop)


8. Nucleophlilic substitution reactions and the difference between an SN1 and an SN2 mechanism leading onto hyperconjugation, resonance and the stereochemical implications of each substitution reaction pathway (2 lectures, 1 workshop)


9. Alkenes and elimination: Reduction of double and triple bonds, general reactions of alkenes, radical chemistry and E1 an d E2 eliminations to generate alkenes. (2 lectures, 1 workshop)


10. Nucleophilic addition reaction of amino group to carbonyls; Carbonyl structure and bonding, reactivity, uses in fragrance chemistry, amides and esters. (2 lectures, 1 workshop).Ìý

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Each session consists of 2 lectures and one workshop on related topics. The lectures outline the theory and applications and the workshops involve practice on problem solving related to topics from chemistry and the life sciences. The weekly sessions are assessed by regularÌýmultiple choice in-class tests. Attendance is compulsory at all sessions.