BMOL20110
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Academic Year 2025/2026
Biomolecular Sciences (BMOL20110)
Subject: : Biomolecular & Biomed Science
College: : Science
School: : Biomolecular & Biomed Science
Level: : 2 (Intermediate)
Credits: : 5
Module Coordinator: : Dr Jens Rauch
Trimester: : Autumn
Mode of Delivery: : On Campus
Internship Module: : No
How will I be graded? : Letter grades
Curricular information is subject to change.
This module is part of the stage 2 core curriculum for all SBBS BSc degree programmes and a number of related disciplines. The course introduces students to fundamental building blocks for the molecules of life: proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Students will learn how molecular structure dictates the functional properties of these molecules, and how dysfunctional biomolecules can result in disease. The concept of biochemical catalysis and the properties of enzymes will be introduced. Additionally, the module introduces basic concepts of cellular metabolism and immune response. Main topics include: amino acids, protein structure, carbohydrates, lipids and membrane structure; enzymes and cofactors; enzyme mechanism, kinetics and regulation, energy metabolism, amino acid and lipid metabolism, introduction to molecules and processes of the immune response.
About this Module
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What will I learn?
Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this module, students should be able to:\ 1. Relate the structural properties of amino acids, carbohydrates and lipids to the cellular function of these biomolecules; 2. Describe the different types of proteins secondary structure and provide examples of protein tertiary structures; 3. Characterise the structure and function of antibodies, myoglobin, haemoglobin, molecular motors and appreciate relationships between protein dysfunction and disease; 4. Characterise the components and properties of biological membranes; 5. Describe the characteristics and mechanism of enzymes and co-enzymes, and explain the kinetics and regulation of enzyme-catalysed reactions; 6. Describe fundamental pathways of energy metabolism as well as amino acid and lipid biosynthesis; 7. Outline fundamental principles of immune response. \
Indicative Module Content:
Module Introduction\ \ The physical basis of life: biomolecular interactions\ Amino acids, the peptide bond, protein primary structure\ Secondary structure, fibrous proteins, tertiary structure\ Diversity of protein functions: e.g. Insulin, haemoglobin\ Antibodies, structure, function and applications\ Molecular motors, proteins in cell organization and movement\ Protein dysfunction and disease; clinical analyses\ Protein characterisation, sequencing and structure determination\ \ Carbohydrate structure (monosaccharides, polysaccharides, glycosidic bond)\ Carbohydrates in cell-cell interactions, proteoglycans, bacterial cell wall\ Lipid structure: fatty acids, phospholipids, sphingolipids\ Lipid structure: cholesterol and steroid hormones\ \ Q&A, Tutorial 1 "Biomolecules". How to learn biomolecules?\ \ Membranes and membrane proteins\ Transporters, ion channels, receptors\ \ Introduction to Enzymes; coenzymes and isoenzymes\ Enzyme structure and specificity \ Mechanisms of rate enhancement and basic kinetics\ Enzymes Inhibition: Enzymes as targets in disease\ Regulation of enzyme activity\ \ Introduction to metabolism\ Glycolysis and gluconeogenesis\ TCA cycle\ Electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation\ Lipid metabolism, beta oxidation\ Amino acid metabolism\ Regulation and integration of metabolism, hormonal regulation of metabolism\ Metabolism. Energy Homeostasis. Disease. Diabetes. Exercise\ \ Introduction to immune system \ Innate immunity: Pathogen recognition\ Overview of innate and adaptive immune response\ Module Review and Q&A
How will I learn?
Student Effort Hours:
| Student Effort Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Autonomous Student Learning | 65 |
| Lectures | 31 |
| Tutorial | 2 |
| Online Learning | 10 |
| --- | --- |
| Total | 108 |
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Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures; Reflective learning; Enquiry & Problem-based learning
Am I eligible to take this module?
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Not applicable to this module.
\
Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module. \ \
How will I be assessed?
Assessment Strategy
| Description | Timing | Component Scale | Must Pass Component | % of Final Grade | In Module Component Repeat Offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam (In-person): One in-trimester exam. Multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions covering 'Biomolecules' content. | Week 7 | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 25 | No |
| Exam (In-person): 2hr end of trimester exam. Multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions covering whole module content. | End of trimester Duration: 2 hr(s) | Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% | No | 75 | No |
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Carry forward of passed components
Yes
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What happens if I fail?
| Resit In | Terminal Exam |
|---|---|
| Spring | Yes - 2 Hour |
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. \
Assessment feedback
Feedback Strategy/Strategies
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment\ • Online automated feedback\
How will my Feedback be Delivered?
Not yet recorded.
Associated Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Assoc Professor Derek Costello | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Jana Haase | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Luke Johnson | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Seema Nathwani | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Assoc Professor David O'Connell | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Jens Rauch | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Assoc Professor Margaret Worrall | Lecturer / Co-Lecturer |
| Dr Patrick Caffrey | Tutor |
When is this module offered?
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
| Autumn | Exam | Offering 1 | Week(s) - 7 | Fri 11:00 - 11:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Fri 11:00 - 11:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Mon 13:00 - 13:50 |
| Autumn | Lecture | Offering 1 | Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks | Wed 13:00 - 13:50 |