BIC-10807 Molecular Life Sciences

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Studiepunten 7.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

BIC-10306 Practical Biological Chemistry; PCC-12303 General Chemistry 1; PCC-12403 General Chemistry 2; ORC-12803 Organic Chemistry 1; ORC-12903 Organic Chemistry 2.

Continuation courses:

ORC-11806 Analytical Methods in Organic Chemistry; BIC-20806 Enzymology; PCC-20806 Colloid Science.

Contents:

During this course you study organo-, physico- and bio-chemical properties of 'Metals in bio-systems' and of 'Medicines and drugs', as well as social aspects directly related to both themes. In a group of two students, with changing composition during the practical period, you obtain hands-on experience with various scientific experiments that inform you about fundamental features of both themes. You follow an integrated scientific approach, because both themes are investigated from three angles (i.e., organo-, physico- and bio-chemical). You interpret the scientific results obtained and also generate written reports in which the experiments, the resulting data, and your conclusions are presented. In addition, within one of the themes, you focus on a particular subject and study the societal implications of scientific research. You present the outcome of this latter study in a written report, on a poster, as well as during a lecture. You visit a company and a research institute that are active in one of the themes mentioned. In addition, you make a 'Life Cycle Analysis' of a phenomenon within one of these themes and write a corresponding reflection report that will be included in your ethics portfolio.

Learning outcomes:

Upon finishing this course, the student is expected to be able:
- to execute various organo- physico- and bio-chemical experiments related to 'Metals in biosystems'and 'Medicines and drugs';
- to analyse and interpret the corresponding experimental data and report the outcome of this exercise in a written report;
- to identify a particular social phenomenon and understand its links with scientific research, report on this orally (lecture) and in writing (poster and essay), discuss the implications with fellow students, and to judge reports of fellow students;
- to identify connections between different scientific disciplines;
- to have awareness of social implications of chemistry;
- to apply the concept of 'Life Cycle analysis', perform such an analysis in a qualitative manner and reflect on it in an essay;
- to write a reflection report, which will be included in the student's ethics portfolio.

Activities:

- various aspects of working in a group, like: meetings, planning, coordinating tasks, etceteras;
- writing of an essay;
- performing experiments, analysing and interpreting their results;
- presentation of results in a written report and on a poster, as well as orally during a lecture;
- excursions, lectures, and discussions.

Examination:

The practicals Biochemistry (examiner: dr van Mierlo) , Physical Chemistry and Colloid Science (Examiner: dr Hoogendam) and Organic Chemistry count (examiner: dr van Rozendaal) each count for 23.5 %. The essay counts for 25.5 % and the poster and oral presentation for 4 % (all examiners). The reflection report for the students ethics portfolio has dr J Wellink and dr C Hoogendam as examiners. The essay, which is made during a 5- day period before the experimental section of the course starts, needs to be handed in on the second day of the first practical and will be assessed on its scientific and societal merits within two weeks.
The written report of a practical has to be handed in on the first day of the subsequent practical. This report will be corrected and discussed shortly after handing in. The marks for each individual practical should be at least 5.5. In case one of these marks is below 5.5, the corresponding practical needs to be redone. Participation in excursions to a company and a research institute, which are active within the themes 'Metals in biosystems' and 'Medicines and drugs', is obligatory. The marks for the individual parts of this course will remain valid for 6 academic years.

Literature:

A manual that guides you through the experiments of this course is available at WUR-shop.