Duration
35h Th, 20h Pr, 3h AUTR
Number of credits
| Bachelor in biomedicine | 4 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Biochemistry is an interdisciplinary science. It focuses on the study of chemical reactions that support the biological processes essential for life. The main participants in these reactions are biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids).
In this general biochemistry course, we will cover various chemical reactions necessary for sustaining life, in which these biomolecules are involved.
These reactions can be divided into four categories:
1. Biomolecules synthesis (anabolism)
2. Energy production (catabolism)
3. Communication and response to signals
4. Storage and transfer of information necessary for life
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
At the end of this course, the students should be able:
1. To recognize the main molecular components of living organisms, their characteristics and their chemical properties.
2. To understand the basic chemical reactions occurring in living cells, their bioenergetics, the importance of enzymes that catalyze these reactions as well as the required cofactors.
3. To give an overview of the main techniques used in biomedical laboratories and to understand their principles.
4. To understand and recognize the role of researchers in the generation of our scientific knowledge in the field of biochemistry since the early 19th century.
5. To acquire enough knowledge to be able to follow the courses of human and pathological biochemistry.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Proficiency in the concepts covered in the General Biology courses (BIOL0847-2 and BIOL0848-2) is essential. The BIOL0847-2 and BIOL0848-2 courses are prerequisites for access to the General Biochemistry course.
Good knowledge in physics and general chemistry (reaction kinetics, oxido-reduction, pH, thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, dilution calculations) and in organic chemistry (chemical functions and their properties) are also necessary.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Lectures
The material will be delivered through lectures. The active participation of the students is encouraged. During the lectures, the topics will be illustrated through examples, learning strategies and exercices to allow a better understanding of the course.
Practicum
The practical work will provide an opportunity to generate experimental results that will be used to derive concepts, particularly in the field of enzymology.
Four half-day sessions will be organized. They are focused on techniques important for studying proteins: extraction, purification of proteins on ion exchange resins, proteins quantification, determination of enzyme activities and gel electrophoreses.
The students are invited to work by groups of two. The participation is compulsary. Each absence must be justified by a medical certificate and students much catch up every missed session with another group. Any anticipated absence should be reported as early as possible by email (c.pequeux@uliege.be) in order to make up the session.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Blended learning
Further information:
Lectures
This course is primarily taught in person, but some lessons may be presented through narrated slideshows or videos available on eCampus
The students are encouraged to ask questions before, during and after the lectures.
Exercise sessions will be intercalated in some courses so as to recapitulate the basics of the course and to give the students the possibility to ask questions.
Practicum
The presence during the practical work is compulsory.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The complete syllabus is available through the eCampus platform, which will support this course.
The slides shown during the lectures will also be available on the eCampus platform for download a few days before each lesson, if possible.
Additional videos and narrated slideshows are also available on eCampus.
The lab notes and the report template can also be downloaded from eCampus.
Additionally, audiovisual capsules are available on eCampus, as well as the distribution of students into pairs and their presentation order for the oral presentation of results
Required reading (a relevant and enjoyable book):
Tout est chimie dans notre vie
Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim
Some chapters of this book will be discussed during the lectures.
Recommended reading, to go further
(available through the library of Life Sciences):
Principles of Biochemistry, 4th edition, 2012
Donald Voet, Judith G. Voet, Charlotte W. Pratt.
Biochemistry: Concepts and Connections, 2016
Dean R. Appling, Spencer J. Anthony-Cahill, Christopher K. Mathews
Additional reading (to sharpen your knowledge and curiosity):
Poussière de vie: Une histoire du vivant
Christian de Duve
Singularités: Jalons sur les Chemins de la Vie
Christian de Duve
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions ) AND oral exam
Written work / report
Continuous assessment
Out-of-session test(s)
Further information:
Formative Assessment
During face-to-face lessons, quizzes based on previous lessons will be offered so that students can assess their understanding.
Continuous Assessment
Some face-to-face lessons will begin with a graded quiz covering concepts from the biology (BIOL0847-2 and BIOL0848-2) or chemistry (CHIM0310-5 and CHIM9311-1) courses. Students will be notified of the dates on which these graded quizzes will occur.
The grades obtained for these quizzes will count for 10% of the overall grade for the General Biochemistry course. Students will retain this grade for the September session.
Oral Assessment of Practical Work (Outside of the Session)
At the end of the practical sessions, students will present their experimental results orally in pairs, to a jury of 2-3 people, using a 10-15 minute slideshow. The results will have been compiled into a report beforehand. The oral presentation will be followed by a 10-minute Q&A session. The presentation is done in pairs, but students will be graded individually.
The grade for the oral presentation of practical work will count for 20% of the overall grade for the General Biochemistry course. Students will retain this grade for the September session.
Written Examination
A written exam covering the theoretical course material and practical work will be organized according to the general study program.
The grade obtained for the written exam will count for 70% of the overall grade for the General Biochemistry course.
Exemption Policy
There are no exemptions. Students who score less than 10/20 on the overall grade for the General Biochemistry course must retake all assessments (practical sessions, oral presentation of practical work, written exam).
One exception may be granted: students who achieved at least 14/20 on the oral exam for practical work the previous year may be exempt from the practical sessions and their presentation; their grade will be carried forward. However, they will not be exempt from the "practical work" section of the written exam.
Students who unjustifiably miss at least 25% of the practical sessions will receive a score of 0 for the oral exam (this sanction applies to both the January and September sessions). If unjustified absences exceed 50%, the affected students will receive a 0 for both the oral exam and the practical work section of the written exam (this sanction applies to both the January and September sessions).
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
The fortuitous absence at a practical session must be notified to Mrs Christel Péqueux (c.pequeux@uliege.be) as soon as possible and accompanied by a medical certificate.
Each predictable absence (medical appointment...) must be anticipated and notified to Mrs Christel Péqueux (c.pequeux@uliege.be) as soon as possible.
Every session missed must be made up with another group
Contacts
Christel PEQUEUX, PhD
Professor of Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Tél : 04/366.22.17
e-mail : c.pequeux@uliege.be
Responsables travaux pratiques : Christel Péqueux (c.pequeux@uliege.be)
assistante principale: Manon Zielonka (manon.zielonka@uliege.be)
Secrétaire : Hélène Brisy (helene.brisy@uliege.be)