The principles of chemistry are an essential foundation for biochemistry. Building up from the atomic level, this module introduces periodicity, functional groups, compounds and chemical bonding, molecular forces, molecular shape and isomerism, and chemical reactions and equilibria, enabling you to understand the importance of organic chemistry in a biological context.

Basic chemical concepts for biology are expected to be in place from your learning experiences involving A2 Chemistry (or equivalent).

Therefore, you should not attend Phase 1 workshops (compulsory for BI321) but attempt the Phase 1 assessment to ascertain your chemical competence. The topics covered in Phase 1 (for guidance only) are (i) Atoms and states of matter (ii) valence and bonding (iii) basic organic chemistry for biologists (iv) molecular shapes and isomerism in biology and (iv) chemical reactivity and chemical equations. Webnotes for this phase will be available to BI3210 students.

Phase 2: Autumn Term (9 lectures, 1 x 2 hr Workshop)

Chemical and biochemical thermodynamics (6 lectures, 1 workshop). Topics covered are: (i) energetic and work, (ii) enthalpy, entropy and the laws of thermodynamics (iii) Gibbs free energy, equilibrium and spontaneous reactions, (iv) Chemical and biochemical equilibrium (including activity versus concentration and Le Chatelier’s principle). The two hour workshop is designed to be delivered as small group sessions to cover the applications and practice of thermodynamics concepts.

Chemistry applied to biological concepts (3 lectures): bonding, valence, hybridisation as well as biological applied thermodynamic process (biomolecular association/dissociation).

Phase 3: Spring Term (15 lectures, 3 x 2 hr workshops)

Fundamental organic chemistry with biological examples. Topics covered: (i) Introduction and basic functional chemistry, (ii) Isomerism and stereochemistry (iii) Reaction mechanisms - (iv) Alkanes/alkyl halides/alkenes/alkynes (v) Aromatic compounds (vi) Heterocyclic compounds and (vii) Carbonyl compounds and carboxylic acids. The two hour workshops provide practice in drawing reaction mechanisms and the use of molecular models to understand shapes and isomerism.

Assessment Test (50%) and Examination (50%) broken into: Assessment test of Phase 2 (50%) Summer examination of Phase 3 (50%) N.b. Phase 1 assessment test is formative (i.e. marks do not count towards your module total). The purpose of this test is to assess your basic chemistry ability and to provide additional support if necessary.

• Core Text: Phases 1+2: Crowe and Bradshaw. Chemistry for the Biosciences (2nd Ed.). The essential concepts. (OUP) Further Reading: Phase 2 and additional Chemistry: Burrows, Holman, Parsons, Pilling and Price. Chemistry3: introducing organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. (OUP)

• On successful completion of this module students will have understanding and knowledge of: A. Fundamental concepts of atoms, molecules, states of matter, basic valences, bonding and molecular interactions, basic organic compounds, shapes and basic isomerism and reactivity and chemical and the relevance of these concepts toward biomedical science. B. The molecular basis of the thermodynamics of chemical and biochemical reactions, an understanding of equilibria and an appreciation of detailed molecular bonding and equilibria applied to biological systems. C. Fundamental concepts of organic chemistry related to biological systems including carbon functional group chemistry (alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, aromatics, heterocyclics and carbonyl compounds), bioorganic chemistry including the role of chemistry to understand biochemical processes

BI3210 is a module for Biology students with A2 Chemistry at grades A-C (or equivalent). If you do not have A2 Chemistry you are required to attend BI321.