UNIVERSITY OF MAURITIUS MODULE SPECIFICATION SHEET

1. GENERAL INFORMATION Programme: BSc (Hons) Biotechnology

Academic Year: 2009-2010

Title

Code

Duration (hrs)

No of credits

Chemistry Fundamentals and Biochemistry

AGRI 1046(1)

Lectures: 60 Practicals: 60 Total: 60 + 60

2. AIMS An introduction to basic concepts of biochemistry; chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids; cell biology; biochemical pathways. Chemistry basics. 3. OUTLINE SYLLABUS

Ionic bonding, covalent bonding, acids and bases. Basics of organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Structures of atoms, molecules, bonding, orbitals. Reactions and stoichiometry. Reaction rates and equilibrium. Acid/base redox reactions. Isomerism. Stereochemistry. Free radicals. Electrophilic, nucleophilic reactions. Spectroscopic techniques. Structures of biomolecules. Lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids. Properties of enzymes and enzyme assays. Biochemical calculations. 4. LEARNING OUTCOMES Having studied this module, the students should be able to: Explain the following: close packing, octahedral and tetrahedral holes, unit cell, radius ratio rules Distinguish between the different types of unit cell Describe the unit cells of sodium chloride, caesium chloride, zinc blende, wurtzite, fluorite, rutile Determine lattice energy using Born-Lande equation and Born-Haber cycle Determine formal charge and predict shapes of molecules and ions using VSEPR and hybridisation theory Distinguish between the different definitions of acids and bases

Explain the strength of acids and bases

List and differentiate the types of biological molecules in living organisms Define their roles and explain their functions within the cells and tissues Identify the various classes of enzymes and reflect on their activities Conduct experimental analyses for the determination of the different classes of molecules Formulate methods for the accurate measurements of biochemical components Define the functions of pathways for energy metabolism

5.

COORDINATORS
Programme Coordinator Dr(Mrs) J GovindenSoulange Agricultural & Food Science Area Coordinator Dr(Mrs) M Sanmukhiya Agricultural & Food Science Module Coordinator Dr(Mrs) Yasmina Jaufeerally-Fakim Agricultural & Food Science

Name Department Building Room Number Phone No. E-mail address Consultation Time

Phase II, FOA 403 7672 joyces@uom.ac.mu On appointment

Phase II, FOA 403 7694 m.sanmukhiya@uom.ac.mu On appointment

Phase II, FOA 403 7675 yasmina@uom.ac.mu On appointment

6.
Name

LECTURER(S)
Assoc Prof H Li DR ROBERT Kam Wah CHONG

DR KISHORE BOODHOO

Dr Yasmina Jaufeerally-Fakim

KWET YIVE
Department Building Room Number Phone No. E-mail address Contact Hours Consultation Time CHEMISTRY CHEMISTRY CHEMISTRY Agricultural & Food Science New academic New academic New academic Phase II, FOA complex R 3.6 403 7878 lkwah@uom.ac.mu complex complex

403 7504

403 7503

403 7675 yasmina@uom.ac.mu

On appointment

On appointment

On appointment

On appointment

7.

VENUE AND HOURS/WEEK

Hours/week: 2 hours practicals and 2 hours theory per week Biochemistry will be taught in semester 2 only.
1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9 10 Ionic & Close packing, holes, ionic crystal structures Covalent Lattice energies bonding; Acids and Formal charge, Lewis structures, shapes bases molecules/ions HL HL of HL HL HL HL HL HL L L L L T Test P P

Definitions of acids and bases, strength of acids and bases Tutorial Test Cation exchange Preparation and analysis of a copper oxalate complex

11-14.5 14.5-17

8.
Wk(s)

MODULE MAP (FOR BIOCHEMISTRY) (YJF)

Hr(s) Theme(s) Lecture Title(s) YJF L, P, S, V, T, Test L/P

Week Introduction Biochemistry 15

Week

Week 17 Week 18
Week

to Experiments in Biochemistry. Relevance of tools and methodologies. Buffers and Titrations. Biochemical Calculations Experimental Experiments in Biochemistry. Biochemistry Relevance of tools and methodologies. Buffers and Titrations. Use of spectrophotometers, centrifuge. Structure & properties. Carbohydrates Monosaccharides Disaccharides Glucose measurements Storage & Structural Carbohydrates polysaccharides Cell Walls. Hydrolysis of Amylopectin Spectrophotometry. Spectrophotometry. Structure & properties. Classes of lipids. Membranes. Analysis of fats

YJF

L/P

YJF

L/P

YJF

L/P

YJF YJF YJF

L/P L/P L/P

Week Lipids 20 Week Proteins I 21

Week Proteins

Structure and Properties.of Amino acids Separation of amino acids

Levels of structure. Tertiary, Quarternary structure. Protein analysis Nucleotides; Structure of DNA and RNA. Genetic information Gel electrophoresis Enzymes: function and activity DNA analysis Enzyme kinetics Enzyme activity Enzyme Assays Metabolic processes and free energy. Respiration. Tutorial on Free energy

YJF YJF YJF YJF YJF YJF

L/P L/P L/P L/P L/P L/P

Week Nucleic acids 23 Week Enzymes I 24

Week Enzymes II

Week Test 26 Week Metabolism 27

Week Metabolism 28
Week Metabolism and

Metabolic processes and free energy. Respiration Role of ATP in biochemical reactions

YJF YJF YJF

L/P L/P

Week Seminar tutorials 30

Abbreviations: L: Lectures, P: Practicals, T: Tutorials, V: Visits, S: Seminars

9.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS/JOURNALS/WEBSITES
Year Title Basic Inorganic Chemistry Inorganic Chemistry Concise Inorganic Chemistry Edition

Author (Books) Albert Cotton, Geoffrey Wilkinson and Paul L Gaus Shriver and Atkins J D Lee

Biochemistry by Stryer Biochemistry by Voet and Voet 10. ESSAY(S)/ASSIGNMENT(S)/PRACTICAL(S) Title 1. 2. 3. Practical report on enzymes 4. Test 5. 11. (i) ASSESSMENT Written Examination Paper Structure (for whole module) Exams date: May 20010 Sections : 2 No. of questions to be answered: 4 Paper Duration: 2 hours Weighting (%): 70 Lecturers initials Maximum Marks Last Submission Date

YJF YJF

10 20

Week 22 Week 23

(ii)

Continuous Assessment Weighting (%) 10

Assignment

Tests Total Marks 12. OTHER INFORMATION

20 30