Module manager: Dr Qian Wu
Email: q.n.wu@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| BIOC1203 | Genes to Proteins |
Elements of BIOC2306
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Metabolism is the study of how chemical reactions power life. This module explores the enzymatic processes that drive metabolism and their regulation, providing a detailed understanding of how cells obtain energy and synthesize the essential building blocks of life. Key metabolic pathways, including those for carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, are examined in the context of both health and disease, such as diabetes, obesity, and other disorders of metabolism, including exercise-induced disorders, mitochondrial disease, and hypercholesterolemia. The module also explores the environmental and biotechnological significance of metabolism, highlighting topics such as photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and biofuels. Through this comprehensive approach, students will gain insights into the metabolic networks that underpin life and their relevance to human health, disease, and global challenges.
This module builds on chemical and biochemical principles introduced in Year one (Level 4), applying them to explore the chemical processes that underpin life. Students will investigate the enzymatic mechanisms that drive metabolic pathways, the regulation of these processes, and how they are integrated into the broader biochemical networks of living organisms. The module covers key pathways involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, their roles in cellular energy production and biosynthesis, and their relevance to human health and disease. Environmental and biotechnological aspects, such as photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and biofuels, are also explored to highlight the global importance of metabolism.
Learning activities will focus on in-person large-group interactive lectures, supplemented by online resources designed to support independent study. These resources include revision question banks for all topics, modelled on the summative assessments, to help students evaluate and consolidate their understanding of key concepts.
The module also aims to foster active engagement with primary research literature, preparing students for the expectations of Year 3 (Level 6) study. To that end, directed additional reading will frequently include recently published research papers, encouraging students to critically analyse current findings in the field.
By the end of the module, students will be able to connect core metabolic principles to both contemporary scientific challenges and practical applications, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to succeed in advanced study and beyond.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Describe chemical structures of carbohydrates, lipids and membranes and explain how these relate to their molecular properties and biological functions.
2. Apply advanced principles of chemistry and biochemistry (kinetics, thermodynamics, allostery, etc) to explain how metabolic flux is generated and the molecular mechanisms by which it is regulated inside cells.
3. Apply biochemical knowledge and understanding to explain how cells obtain and store energy and synthesise and degrade cellular building blocks.
4. Integrate knowledge of the major cellular metabolic pathways to explain how they intersect and their role in health, disease and the environment.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. To apply knowledge to solve new problems
6. To analyse and interpret scientific data
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 33 | 1 | 33 |
| Seminar | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Private study hours | 165 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 35 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
This module will provide continual formative feedback via in-class active learning from in-person teaching. A formative coursework exercise with a timetabled feedback session will prepare students for the summative coursework exercise. Revision question banks will be provided for all topics in the same style as the end-of-module summative assessment. A revision session with a timed element and formative feedback against learning outcomes will be provided in the lead-up to the end-of-module exam.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | . | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 03/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team