Unit information: Advanced Macromolecular Structure and Function in 2027/28

Unit name	Advanced Macromolecular Structure and Function
Unit code	BIOC30004
Credit points	40
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Cory
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	BIOC20001 – Molecular Cell Biology and BIOC20002 – Macromolecular Structure, Dynamics and Function and MOLG22100 – Recombinant DNA Technology
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	School of Biochemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?
This unit covers a range of topics in protein biochemistry and genomics It addresses the techniques and experimental approaches needed to reveal protein structure and dynamics, looks at protein folding in solution and in membranes, and explores how genomic information is interpreted and maintained through interactions between DNA and proteins.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit deepens understanding of key concepts in protein biochemistry and genomics, building on knowledge acquired in the year 2 units Macromolecular Structure and Function, Molecular Cell Biology, Gene Expression and Rearrangement, and Recombinant DNA Technology.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content
The unit aims to develop an understanding of key concepts in the biochemistry of proteins and cellular information systems, and the methods used to study them. Subjects covered include:

• Sequence to structure relationships.
• The techniques used to study protein structure
• Omics – techniques and analysis of proteomic and genomic data
• The study of kinetics in enzymes and chemiosmotic systems
• The techniques to study protein dynamics on femtosecond to hour scales.
• The synthesis of proteins by the ribosomes
• Protein synthesis and protein folding pathways
• The insertion of peptides and proteins into membranes
• Advanced material on DNA structure and function
• DNA repair mechanisms to maintain information integrity
• Transcriptional processing of genomic information
• Next Generation Sequencing methodology to follow DNA damage and interactions at a genome-wide scale

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Following successful completion of this unit, students will be able to demonstrate:

1. an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced topics covered in the unit and an ability to keep abreast with recent developments in the field.
2. the ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.
3. an understanding of the importance of the study of advanced aspects of protein structure, dynamics and function.
4. the ability to interpret and explain data from studies investigating the topics covered in the unit.
5. the ability to propose and critique experimental strategies to address specific questions relating to the topics covered in the unit.

Learning Outcomes
Learning on this unit directly addresses components of the Bristol Skills Profile, including:

• How to think in and beyond my discipline.
• How to express my ideas.
• How to develop effective learning strategies.
• How to evaluate the research of others.
• How to think critically.
• How to develop ideas and solve problems.
• How to think creatively and innovatively.
• Confident in using digital tools.
• Able to identify and work with technological advances.

How you will learn

Lectures, workshops, asynchronous material, reading suggested research and review papers.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students will undertake a formative assessment exercise.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The components that make up the unit assessment are:

• An examination: 50%.
• A numeracy assessment: 25%.
• A literature comprehension examination: 25%

To earn credit for this unit you must normally have made a reasonable attempt at each of the components of the unit assessment. A reasonable attempt requires a student to have undertaken the assessment activity and engaged with its purpose in the academic judgement of the relevant Unit Director, or nominee.

When assessment does not go to plan
Where required, a reassessment normally involves a second attempt at the same form of assessment.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BIOC30004).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.