KJM2400 Biochemistry Course description

The students will acquire knowledge about cells, biological macromolecules and the most important chemical reactions that take place in cells. They will also develop skills in protein and DNA analysis, and enzyme kinetics.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• explaining how mass and energy balances are balanced in a stationary system
• using the first and second laws of thermodynamics together with mass balances and equilibrium calculations to find the equilibrium composition of a reactor
• setting up and solving an equation system of mass and energy balances for a stationary process with reaction, separation, and recirculation
• performing quantitative calculations of mass and energy balances of stationary chemical processes
• performing simple simulations of mass and energy balances of stationary chemical processes
• dimensioning the heat transfer area of a heat exchanger
• calculating the heat/cooling effect and energy consumption of a heat pump or cooling unit
• using energy and mass balances to perform stationary calculations of turbines, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, split systems, mixers, heat pumps, cooling units and reactors.

Skills

The student is capable of:

• performing simple calculations to estimate the energy consumption of different processes using equipment like pumps and compressors
• performing calculations of different types of heat exchangers, both for operational values such as the consumption of cooling/heating agent and for design as size
• independently performing simple tasks with heat exchangers and distilling columns in the laboratory
• handling chemicals, material safety data sheets, assessments and laboratory safety.

General competence

The student:

• is capable of reading and interpreting scientific texts and diagrams in the chemical engineering discipline (both in English and Norwegian)
• is capable of exercising practical discretion and of performing simple calculations.
• is capable of explaining the operational principles behind typical equipment and apparatuses in a common chemical processing plant
• is capable of communicating chemical engineering results orally and in writing

To take this course at least 30 ECTS from the 1.year in the bachelor programme must be passed. Approved laboratory course in KJM1400 Organic Chemistry and KJM1500 Physical Chemistry, or corresponding qualifications.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• can explain the cell structure and the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• can explain the structure and function of the most important biochemical molecules: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids
• can present different methods to analyze biochemical molecules, specially proteins
• can explain the structure and function of antibodies
• can explain the function of enzymes and understand basic enzyme kinetic theories
• can describe metabolic processes such as glycolysis, the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain
• can explain DNA synthesis (replication), RNA synthesis (transcription) and protein synthesis (translation) in prokaryotic cells

Skills

The student is capable of:

• analyzing the protein concentration in a sample using spectroscopy
• identifying proteins using SDS-PAGE (gel electrophoresis) and Western blotting
• performing basic enzyme kinetic experiments
• performing restriction digestion of plasmid DNA and analysis of DNA using agarose gel electrophoresis
• performing health risk assessments and classifying chemical compounds and solutions
• planning and performing biochemical experiments
• communicating the results of laboratory experiments both orally and in writing

The course consists of lectures, exercises and laboratory experiments.

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• 4-day laboratory course and 2 written lab reports (in groups of 2-4 students, 8-14 pages per report)
• A group assignment (2-4 students per group) in the form of an oral presentation.

Individual written exam under supervision, 3 hours.

The exam result can be appealed.

In the event of a resit or rescheduled exam, oral instead of written examination may be used. In case of an oral exam the result cannot be appealed.

No aids allowed

The course provides knowledge of fundamental principles and simple calculations of common unit operations and apparatus in chemical engineering. Topics include fluid mechanics and hydrodynamics with process equipment such as flow meters, valves, pumps and compressors, heat transfer with process equipment such as multi tube and plate heat exchangers, and mass and energy transfer in chemical engineering unit operations.

Approved laboratory course in KJPE1300 General Chemistry, KJFP1400 Organic Chemistry and KJM1500 Physical Chemistry, or corresponding qualifications.