Module description
In this module, students will:
- build on basic chemical laboratory skills from year 1 and learn to synthesise, purify, and analyse them, and interpret the data critically.
- build confidence in the laboratory environment.
- become equally comfortable with both organic and metal coordination chemical methods.
- learn the basics of a wide range of biophysical techniques for characterising the behaviour and properties of compounds, hence operating in situations of varying complexity and predictability requiring the application of a wide range of techniques.
Some assignments are linked, requiring students to provide a dossier with an overview of the full story from basic chemistry to the biomedical context, providing an element of acting with limited supervision and direction, within defined guidelines, and will pool data for analysis thus accepting responsibility for achieving personal and/or group outcomes and/or outputs.
Students will:
- provide their own literature search and introduction to the project as a whole, requiring the use of a wide range of information sources and information sources.
- gain familiarity with biological materials including proteins and cultured cells.
- gain an overview of the interdisciplinarity and teamwork of chemistry in the biomedical context.
- learn to interpret literature and their own results critically including basic statistical evaluation.
The assembly of a dossier of reports will demonstrate an awareness of different ideas, contexts and frameworks. The final project report will demonstrate ability to identify, analyse and communicate principles and concepts recognising competing perspectives. Continuous feedback over two semesters will provide opportunity for self-development and analysis.
Assessment details
Coursework and practicals.
| 2 x Lab reports |
40% |
|
| Annotated Bibliography |
20% |
|
| Compiled dossier/project conclusions |
20% |
|
| Poster & Questions Symposium |
20% |
Educational aims & objectives
This module introduces students to the idea of experiments all linked by a common theme. Students will apply their experimental skills to work with organometallic molecules. Synthesising, purifying, analysing and testing these molecules throughout the semester. Students will be introduced to new techniques such as HPLC and cyclic voltammetry. Students will be expected to draw together their own and others results to produce a critical evaluation of the data obtained and compare this to current scientific research and theory.
Learning outcomes
Indicative Syllabus
- Introduction, organic synthesis and characterisation of bisthiosemicarbazone ligand and complex (basic wet synthesis, simple filtration, recrystallisation, 1H NMR, IR, TLC and magnetic susceptibility)
- Library synthesis and qualitative analysis using HPLC
- LogP analysis of complexes using quantitative analysis using HPLC and UV
- Electrochemistry of copper complexes using cyclic voltammetry
- Multi-step bioconjugate synthesis and characterisation by NMR and IR
- Fluorimetry and UV spectroscopy to measure zinc/copper exchange
- Cell labelling with a radiosiotope. Centrifugation, handling cell extracts, handling radioisotopes.
Teaching pattern
75.5 hours laboratory practicals, 12 hours workshops