CHEM 2540 - Medicinal & Biological Chemistry II

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

An introduction to the principles and methods of medicinal chemistry including natural product and biopolymer isolation, lead generation, lead optimisation and quantitative structure-activity relationships will be presented. An introduction to the principles of biophysical chemistry will be presented, which will include techniques focused on enzyme activity and inhibition. The different classes of biologically important molecules will be introduced, including discussion on their biosynthesis. An introduction to metalloprotein and bioinorganic chemistry will be presented, including discussion of the structure and function of metalloenzymes and metalloproteins.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHEM 2540
    Course Medicinal & Biological Chemistry II
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 7.5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites CHEM 1100 & CHEM 1200 or CHEM 1101, CHEM 1201 & CHEM 1312
    Course Description An introduction to the principles and methods of medicinal chemistry including natural product and biopolymer isolation, lead generation, lead optimisation and quantitative structure-activity relationships will be presented. An introduction to the principles of biophysical chemistry will be presented, which will include techniques focused on enzyme activity and inhibition. The different classes of biologically important molecules will be introduced, including discussion on their biosynthesis. An introduction to metalloprotein and bioinorganic chemistry will be presented, including discussion of the structure and function of metalloenzymes and metalloproteins.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Tak Kee

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. describe the underlying principles of chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics in the context of biological systems, and be able to clearly communicate the link between these quantitative means of characterising biochemical reactions;
    2. describe the underlying principles of medicinal chemistry;
    3. develop syntheses of relevant medicinal agents;
    4. describe the chemistry of metalloenzymes and metalloproteins;
    5. provide a broad description of biologically important molecules and have a firm understanding of the chemistry and reactivity of these molecules;
    6. design, conduct, analyse and interpret results of an experiment, and effectively communicate these in written reports
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1-5
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    3,6
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    6
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    6
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Recommended Resources

    Biophysical Chemistry: ‘Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences’, (Chang, 1st Edition, University Science Books, 2005) ISBN: 1891389335

    Bioinorganic Chemistry: ‘Inorganic Chemistry’ (Shriver & Atkins, 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press, 1999) - later edition available as well

    Medicinal Chemistry: ‘An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry’ (G. L. Patrick: 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press, 2005)

    Bioorganic Chemistry: To be announced.

    Online Learning

    MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/).

    Maths Resources 
    The Maths Learning Centre (MLC) helps all students learn and use the maths they need at uni. The MLC offers seminars, workshops, online, and print resources.  It also run a drop-in room in Hub Central from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday during teaching weeks.

    For more information, visit http://www.adelaide.edu.au/mathslearning/ 

    For chemistry-specific maths help, visit http://www.adelaide.edu.au/mathslearning/resources/chem
     

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    Lectures 36 x 50-minute sessions with three sessions per week

    Tutorials 11 x 50-minute sessions with one session per week

    Practicals 8 x 5-hour sessions

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).

    Learning Activities Summary

    The course content includes the following:

    Bio-thermodynamics and Enzyme Kinetics.
    Role of thermodynamics and kinetics with specific applications in drug binding, dialysis and osmosis.

    Metalloproteins and Enzymes
    An introduction to the arena of biomimetic inorganic chemistry will be presented, including extensive discussion of the structure and function of metalloenzymes. This section will emphasise how the principles of nature can be applied to the rational design of metallic species capable of controlled nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane activation.

    Principles of Medicinal Chemistry
    An introduction to the principles of medicinal chemistry including synthesis, natural product isolation, lead generation, lead optimisation and quantitative structure-activity relationships will be presented. The principles of parallel and combinatorial synthesis will be presented in this context.

    Natural Products and Bio-Polymers
    DNA/RNA, terpenes and alkaloids. Concept of natural molecules as targets and leads. Introduction to the biosynthesis of these compounds.

    Practicals
    There will be 8 sessions from Weeks 2 – 11. The practical exercises will provide students with "hands on" experience in the synthesis and analysis of molecules of medicinal and biological relevance.

    Some students repeating the course may be exempted from practical classes. Please note that exemptions will only be granted to students who attempted and achieved an overall practical mark of at least 50% in the course in the previous year. Applications for exemption should be lodged with the School of Physical Sciences office.

    Tutorials
    Tutorials will be used to reinforce the concepts introduced in lectures.

    Specific Course Requirements
    Attendance is compulsory at all scheduled chemistry practical sessions.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment taskType of assessmentPercentage of total assessment for grading purposesHurdle (Yes/No)Outcomes being assessed
    Assignments Summative 10% No 1 – 6
    Extended Practical Report Summative 5% No 6
    Practical Reports Formative & Summative 25% Yes (50%) 1 – 6
    Exam Summative 60% Yes (45%) 1 – 6
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Practical work is compulsory – This includes conduct of required experimental work, attendance at demonstrator interviews (as required) and submission of the laboratory reports.

    To pass this course students must:

    • Attain a minimum of 45% for the exam:
    • Students who attain a final course grade of at least 45% but do not attain a minimum of 45% for the exam may be offered an Additional Academic Exam during the Replacement/Additional Assessment period, in line with the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy.
    Assessment Detail

    Assignments (10%)
    There will be 4 assignments, each worth 2.5%. Each assignment will consist of a series of short-answer and/or multiple-choice questions. Students will submit the assignments electronically.

    Practical Reports (30%)
    Students will complete 8 practicals and submit a short report for each practical. Each short report will contribute 3.75% towards the final grade. These reports are important in assessing the students' understanding of the practical and their competency in the skills involved in each practical.

    Final exam (60%)
    The end-of-semester examination will be based primarily on lecture/tutorial material and will consist of a series of short-answer and/or multiple-choice questions.

     

    Submission

    Submission of Assigned Work
    Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Instructions on how to submit your work and coversheets will be provide on MyUni.

    Extensions for Assessment Tasks
    Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. 

    Late submission of assessments
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.