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Unit outline_

CHEM2533: Concepts in Chemistry of Biological Molecules

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

All known life is based on four extraordinary families of molecules: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and the nucleic acids. While the chemistry of these molecules within living cells is the subject of biochemistry, this unit of study explores the chemistry beyond that of normal biological function to provide the foundations for drug design, development of bio-sensors and programmed self-assembly. This unit of study will cover the fundamental chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. You will learn about the spontaneous organisation of these molecules into larger structures - globular proteins, DNA helices, and lipid membranes - and the new properties that emerge as a result. You will explore how metal ions interact with proteins to produce a variety of catalytic and molecular binding sites. Powerful modern techniques such as fluorescence and cryo-electron microscopy will be explained and their capacity to provide deeper insights in biological and medical applications explored. By doing this unit you will develop a fundamental understanding of the properties of biological molecules and a firm foundation for further studies in drug design, food and cosmetic science, advanced bio-sensing and the growing field of chemical applications based on biological materials. Concepts in Chemistry of Biological Molecules covers the same lecture material as CHEM2523/2923 but does not involve laboratory classes. Instead, students will undertake a series of workshop exercises aimed at exploring the broader impact of chemical innovation on technology and society. This unit does not represent a prerequisite for any of the 3000-level lab-based Chemistry units.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Chemistry Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CHEM1111 or CHEM1911 or CHEM1991 or CHEM1101 or CHEM1901 or CHEM1903 or CHEM1011 or CHEM1001
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CHEM2923 or CHEM2523 or CHEM2403 or CHEM2913 or CHEM2532 or CHEM2534
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Harrowell, peter.harrowell@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Record+) Type B final exam Final exam
Online Exam
55% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5
Presentation Workshop presentation
Oral presentation
13% Multiple weeks 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Workshop assignment
Workshop assignment
12% Multiple weeks 3 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task In‐Semester test 1
Online quiz
5% Week 05 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4
Online task In-Semester test 2
Online quiz
5% Week 11 60 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4
Small continuous assessment Pre-lecure quiz
Online quiz
10% Weekly 30min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4
Type B final exam = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark rnage Description
High distinction 85-100 At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and
comprehensive understanding of
the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a
student who demonstrates
the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions
for
novel or highly complex
problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction 75-84 At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed
understanding of the unit
material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who
demonstrates an ability to
apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions
for
challenging problems
and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit 65-74 At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material.
A
‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general
understanding of the unit material and can solve
routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass 50-64 At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects
satisfactory
achievement and is
awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
Fail 0-49 When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date: Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date. After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 1. Chemistry of cell 2. Food chemistry 3. Classes of Biological molecules Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 02 4.-6. Nucleic acids Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 7. Nucleic acids 8. Peptides 9. Peptides Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Materials from Wks 1 & 2 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 10. Self assembly 11. Proteins 12. Proteins Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 05 13. Structure determination 14. Metalloproteins 15. Protein aggregation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Material from Wks. 3 & 4 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 16. Synthetic proteins 17. Fluorescent sensors 18. Carbohydrates Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 19-21. Carbohydrates Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Material from Wks 5 & 6 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 22. Carbohydrates 23. Lipids 24. Lipids Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 25 Lipids 26. Self assembly 27. Membranes Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Material from Wks 7 & 8 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 28. Membranes 29. Concentration gradients 30. Encapsulation Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 31. Encapsulation 32-33. Molecular identification Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Material from Wks. 9 & 10 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 34-35 Bioorthogonality 36. Conclusion Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Material from Wks 11 & 12 Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Workshop Workshop (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand and describe the chemistry of biological molecules.
  • LO2. Work safely and competently in a chemical laboratory
  • LO3. Communicate scientific information and laboratory findings effectively using a range of modes (written, oral, visual etc.) for a variety of audiences.
  • LO4. Recognise the relevance of the chemistry of biological molecules to applications beyond the discipline of chemistry and articulate the social value of the subject.
  • LO5. work collaboratively and responsibly in data collection, analysis and communication.
  • LO6. work collaboratively and responsibly in data collection, analysis and communication.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.