Structural and Functional Analysis in Bioengineering

Code:

L.BIO043

Acronym:

AEFB

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Basic Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Instance: 2023/2024 - 1S (of 11-09-2023 to 15-12-2023)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Chemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.BIO	32	Syllabus	3	-	4,5	39	121,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The objective is to offer the students an updated portfolio of analytical techniques that are currently used for the study of the structure and function of biological systems.

The knowledge of the interaction of light with matter is transversal to all the techniques and includes the scientific areas classically designated as spectroscopy and microscopy. The latter areas are complementary and allow a thorough analysis and characterization of the biological systems from the microscopic and molecular points of view.

Considering that the concepts are quite complex we believe that the theoretical foundations in tandem with case studies is useful in order to gain insight on the use of the different techniques.

The laboratorial classes will allow a close contact with several techniques and the consolidation of the concepts and application.

Learning outcomes and competences

The Student is entitleted to be able to use spectroscopic methods and use them to determine and understand molecular structures and its biological function.

Moreover, sine the concepts and general characteristics have been studied in detail the student should be able to understand the basis of a new method and use it.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Basic knowledge on the fields of Physical Chemistry, Biophysics and Biochemistry

Program

Theory

1. Introduction and general principles

2. Matter-radiation interactions

3. Tools and concepts

4. Infrared spectroscopy

5. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy

6. Fluorescence spectroscopy

7. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

8. Electron  Paramagnetic Resonance

9. X-Ray Absorption spectroscopy

10. Mass spectrometry

Laboratorial sessions

Experiments using several spectroscopic techniques and data analysis of the results.

Mandatory literature

P. W. Atkins and Julio De Paula; Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
Gordon G. Hammes; Spectroscopy for the Biological Sciences”, Wiley-Interscience, New Jersey, 2005
Iain D. Campbel e Raymond A. Dwek, ; “Biological Spectroscopy”, Benjamin Cummings, California, 1984

Teaching methods and learning activities

The theory of each spectroscopic technique will be presented first by the lecturer. This will be followed by a thorough discussion in subsequent classes. The discussion may involve the presentation of critical examples by the students, resulting from a literature search. 

Experiments relevant to this course will be carried out in dedicated lab sessions.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	35,00
Teste	65,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	12,50
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	39,00
Trabalho laboratorial	10,00
Total:	121,50

Eligibility for exams

Attendence of 3/4 of the laboratorial classes (PL)

Calculation formula of final grade

Component 1 : writren test will including  the theoretical and experimental parts.

Component 2 : presentation and discussion of a scientific paper

Final grade= (0.65 x C1 grade) + (0.35 x C2 grade)