2024-2025 / BIOL2009-1

Biology and introduction to biochemistry

Duration

30h Th, 20h Pr

Number of credits

 Bachelor in chemistry5 crédits 

Lecturer

François Beaufay

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The goal of this class is to highlight the complex connections between Biology and chemistry and more importantly the importance of chemist in biology.

Introduction : biological macromolecules - Basics of molecular biology - Differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes - Implications of biology in chemical sciences

Reproduction and division of prokaryotes and eukaryotes - Mitosis and meiosis

Genetics and molecular basis of heredity

Elements of virology

Biology of prokaryotes: diversity of micro-organisms - metabolism and growth - bacterial cell wall - evolution of bacterial genomes - applications of microbiology in the chemical and agro-food industry

Antibiotics and vaccines - Infection and the immune system

Molecular basis of disease - drug discovery and development - biological drugs

Microbial biotechnologies - Biotechnology of eukaryotes

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

This course aims at consolidating the student's knowledge of biology and chemistry of macromolecules, as well as their importance in the environment, the agro-food industry, human health and biotechnology.

The student will also acquire detailed knowledge of the molecular aspects related to the fundamental aspects of various biological systems, including viruses, bacteria, unicellular organisms and animals.

The course will also focus on the applications and implications of biology in the field of chemistry, in particular microbial biotechnologies, biocatalysis, medicinal chemistry and the development of innovative biological drugs.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Course "Biology" (BIOL0006): basic knowledge  of general and cellular biology and of chemical biology. 

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Lectures ex cathedra (30 hours). Remote teaching and/or inverted classes could be implemented depending on the number of attending students and on the group dynamic.

The practical sessions (30 hours) will be organized in the laboratories located at the Institute of Zoology (I1) and at the Institue of Chemistry (B6). Students will carry out various experiments, each illustrating a specific aspect of the course, also allowing a better understanding of and acquaintance with the basic methodologies specific to biology and microbiology.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Interactive ex cathedra learning in person involving videos and wooclap to engage the student




Additional information:



Additional information:

See "Planned learning activities and teaching methods" for details.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Mandatory readings: the slides used during the lectures (as well as other relevant material, including e. g. podcasts and videos) will be available on the University e-learning platform.

Recommended readings: the following textbooks, available at the University libraries, could be used as an additional support for the study of the course. Chapters corresponding to the different parts of the course will be clearly indicated in the provided slides.






  • Biology, Raven, Johnson, Maosdn, Losos & Duncan; De Boeck Supérieur (ISBN, 9782807327160).
  • Brock Biologie des micro-organismes, Madigan & Martinko, Pearson (ISBN, 9782744058400) ;
  • Microbiologie, Prescott, Willey, Sherwood, Woolverton ; De Boeck Supérieur (ISBN, 9782807308022).

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

Any session

In-person - oral exam 

- Practical session will be evalute depending on the general theme of the session (as an illustration, microbiology, genetic,...) either by a writtten report, written exercices or an oral exam 



Additional information:

Written theroetical exam (2/3 of the final grade)

Practical examination (laboratory, 1/3 of the final grade): lab report, written exercices, oral exam

Work placement(s)

None.

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The presence at the practical sessions is MANDATORY.

Students are required to wear a laboratory coat and other personal protection equipment (PPE) during the practical sessions. Access to the laboratory will be refused to incompliant student.

Contacts

Association of one or more MOOCs