BIC-10807 Molecular Life Sciences

Course

Credits 7.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Lecture4
Practical120
Group work30
Excursion (one day)16
Course coordinator(s)dr. ir. CPM van Mierlo
Lecturer(s)dr. ir. CPM van Mierlo
drs. AMEJ Franssen-Hagebols
WAM van den Berg
R Spruijt
MJ van Harmelen
J Firet
dr. ir. HM Willemen
dr. MCR Franssen
dr. LH Beun
dr. ing. JW Borst
dr. CAGM Weijers
dr. CW Hoogendam
JJ Buijs
RAM Frijns
dr. TJ Sminia
Examiner(s)dr. CW Hoogendam
dr. ir. CPM van Mierlo
dr. ir. HM Willemen

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 Soft Matter.

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, as well as during a lecture. You visit a research institute that is 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:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- execute various organo-, physico- and bio-chemical experiments related to ‘Metals in biosystems’ and ‘Medicines and drugs’;
- analyse and interpret the corresponding experimental data and report the outcome of this exercise in a written report;
- identify a particular social phenomenon and understand its links with scientific research, report on this orally (lecture) and in writing (essay), discuss the implications with fellow students, and judge reports of fellow students;
- identify connections between different scientific disciplines;
- become aware of social implications of chemistry;
- apply the concept of ‘Life Cycle analysis’, perform such analysis in a qualitative manner and reflect on it via an essay.

Activities:

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

Examination:

The practicals Biochemistry (examiner: Dr. van Mierlo), Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter (examiner: Dr. Hoogendam) and Organic Chemistry (examiner: Dr. van Rozendaal) each contribute for 23.5 % to the final mark. The essay counts for 25.5 % and the oral presentation for 4 % (judged by all examiners). The reflection report for the student’s 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 week of the practicals 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 an excursion to a research institute, which is active either within the theme 'Metals in biosystems' or '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.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BMLMolecular Life SciencesBSc6WD