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CHEM30270

Academic Year 2026/2027

Chemical Biology of Macromolecules (CHEM30270)

Subject:
Chemistry
College:
Science
School:
Chemistry
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Xiangming Zhu
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The student will acquire an understanding of the three major classes of macrobiomolecules, i.e. proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids, the nature of their structures, synthetic methodology and the role which they play in biological systems. Topics discussed include structures of proteins; peptide chemistry; solid phase peptide synthesis; protein synthesis via native chemical ligation; structures of monosaccharides; synthesis of oligosaccharides; structure of nucleic acids; synthesis of oligonucleotides. In addition students will gain an understanding of the chemistry of functioning of biomolecules in cellular and living systems. This will include an introduction to aspects of molecular recognition, enzyme mechanism and mechanisms of biologically catalysed reactions, interactions of biomolecules with each other and small molecules and the outcomes in biological systems, design of inhibitors of biological processes. Aspects will be illustrated with selected case studies (e.g. proteases, glycosidases, bacterial cell wall biosynthesis and inhibition). The module is directed towards students majoring in chemical biology and related disciplines.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to: draw structures of biomolecule monomers, such as amino acids, monosaccharides and nucleosides; design solution-phase synthetic routes to simple peptides; explain and have practical knowledge in how to synthesize peptides and oligonucleotides on solid supports, and oligosaccharides in solution; describe and explain non-covalent interactions and role in moleculear recognition; describe some chemical mechanisms for biological catalysed processes; explain how inhibitors work and how inhibitors are designed; display a grasp of the thermodynamics of small molecule-receptor interactions; write organic mechanisms for selected processes.

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

6
Laboratories

24
Autonomous Student Learning

54
Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
CHEM30190 - Chemistry of Biomolecules


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): The students are asked to complete two assignments related to the module content during the course, and they will be corrected and graded as continuous assessment. Week 6, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Exam (In-person): Knowledge of the course content will be examined in a two-hour exam at the end of the semester. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Lab reports from practical work carried out during lab sessions, and lab performance (including safety, efficiency and tidiness). The practical work is related to the chemistry covered in the lectures Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The students are asked to submit their answers to tutorial questions during the course. The answers are corrected and returned then to the students, together with relevant feedbacks. Feedbacks will also be given on lab reports.

Name Role
Dr Aniello Palma Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Xiangming Zhu Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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