Course code KJB310

KJB310 Protein Chemistry

Norsk emneinformasjon

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Showing course contents for the educational year 2016 - 2017 .

Course responsible: Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad
Teachers: Vincentius Gerardus Henricus Eijsink, Lars Skjeldal, Trine Øye Isaksen
ECTS credits: 10
Faculty: Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
Teaching language: EN, NO
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
50
Teaching exam periods:
This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel.
Course frequency: Annually
First time: Study year 2004-2005
Course contents:

The lectures start 4-6 weeks before the exercises, in order to give the necessary theoretical background. The exercises are one full day per week with a teacher present. It is strongly advised to participate in an active way in the computer exercise since this is of paramount importance for understanding the topics.

Basic knowledge in bioinformatics and use of computers is an advantage. Those who do not have these skills are recommended to go through an introductory course in bioinformatics that can be found in the archive of the Fronter. 

It should be emphasized that this course is intended for master's degree students and requires the ability to work independently in the field using computers and the internet.

Learning outcome:
  • Basic knowledge on how proteins are built up and on protein structures.
  • Give an understanding of the significance of a protein's structure for its stability and biological activity and of how the structure of a protein may be determined.
  • Understanding and practical use of the most common bioinformatics tools used to study the structure and function of proteins.
  • Discussion of various types of proteins and their biological functions.
  • Protein folding and the role of proteins in disease.
  • Enzymology.
  • Protein engineering and directed evolution.

The course also contains a practical computerlab course that teaches the students how to analyze protein sequences and structures using protein bioinformatic techniques commonly used. There will be focus on learning the 'PyMol' software, which is used to analyze and visualize 3D protein structures. The students will learn how to identify functional regions of the proteins structures as well as how to visualize their findings via informative (and advanced) graphics and animations.

The students will gain experience in how to prepare and deliver effective oral and written presentations of technical information and scientific results. They will learn to think critically and solve complex and multidisciplinary problems, as well as learn to accurately interpret current research literature.

Learning activities:
Lectures.Weekly exercises with a teacher present, in which students work in pairs on a computer, using databases and analysis tools available on the Internet and on the local computer.Seminar where students present a scientific paper on a relevant topic.
Teaching support:
Questioning hours will be organized right before the exam.Two teachers will be available for questions during the weekly exercises.Lecture notes will be available in Fronter.
Syllabus:
Arthur M. Lesk: Introduction to Protein Science, Oxford University Press, Third Edition, 2016LecturesCourse bookletSeminar
Prerequisites:
Biochemistry equivalent to KJB200.
Recommended prerequisites:

Bioinformatics equivalent to BIN210.

Biochemistry lab., equivalent to KJB201 or KJB210. 

Mandatory activity:
Participitation in a seminar organized at the end of the course, where students present a course topic or a scientific paper.
Assessment:
Written examination, 3.5 hours, counts 100 %.
Nominal workload:
Lectures: 35 hours. Exercises: 60 hours. Individual study: 205 hours.
Entrance requirements:
Special requirements in Science
Reduction of credits:
There is some overlap with BIN210, this does not reduce the number of credits earned, however.
Type of course:

Per normal week:

4 hours lectures 8 hours exercise.

Examiner:
An external examiner approves the examination questions and marks a minimum of 25 selected examination papers.
Allowed examination aids: No calculator, no other aids
Examination details: One written exam: A - E / Ikke bestått