Unit details

CHEM2005 The Molecules of Life

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

If this unit does not have an online alternative, then students who are presently unable to enter Western Australia and whose studies would be delayed by an inability to complete this unit, should contact the unit coordinator (details given on this page) to ascertain, on an individual case-by-case basis, if alternate arrangements can be made to support their study in this unit.

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 core unit in the Chemistry - Synthetic major sequence

Content

This unit provides an introduction to the chemistry relevant to biological systems. Topics to be covered include the important classes of biomolecules: amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and oligonucleotides, addressing their stereochemistry, structure, synthesis, biosynthesis (including the function of selected coenzymes) and importance in living systems. The biological activity of important secondary metabolites along with their biosynthetic pathways will be highlighted. The role of metal ions in biology, with an emphasis on the fundamental transition metal chemistry relevant to the mechanisms of metalloenzymes and metal-based drugs, is also explored.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) describe key knowledge and concepts about organic and inorganic chemistry relevant to biological systems; (2) critically review basic facts, principles and theories of organic and inorganic chemistry; (3) solve problems at the biology/chemistry interface; (4) critically review chemical terminology, nomenclature and conventions associated with the classes of biomolecules; (5) critically review functional groups, their reactivity and interconversion; (6) acquire skills in performing standard laboratory procedures for simple synthetic organic, inorganic and analytical chemistry; (7) use instrumentation and interpretation of spectroscopic data for structure determination of inorganic and organic compounds; and (8) produce clear written communication of results of laboratory work and reading using correct scientific style.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) final examination; (2) quizzes; and (3) laboratories. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the laboratories component.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit except in the case of a bachelor's pass degree student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 overall and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Gavin Flematti

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

CHEM1001 Chemistry—Properties and Energetics and CHEM1002 Chemistry—Structure and Reactivity

Co-requisites:

CHEM2001 Core Chemical Concepts and Techniques

Incompatibility:

CHEM3008 The Molecules of Life, CHEM2221 Biological and Medicinal Chemistry

Contact hours

lectures: 2 hours per week; labs: 36 hours across the semester; tutorials: 1 per week

Texts

Clayden, J. et al. Organic Chemistry, 2nd edn: Oxford University Press 2001

Dewick, P. Medicinal Natural Products, John Wiley and Sons, 1997-2008, any edition

Weller, M. et al. Inorganic Chemistry, 6th edn: Oxford University Press 2014