Chemical and Biochemical Techniques and Applications in Marine Sciences

Code:

RM11

Acronym:

TAQBCM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Sciences

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S (of 16-09-2024 to 14-02-2025)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Chemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Marine Sciences - Marine Resources

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCMRM	0	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Portuguese and english

Objectives

The objective of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the monitoring and assessment of the marine environment, including the theoretical and practical aspects  of laboratory techniques, sample handling, and data analysis. The course will equip students with the skills needed to assess the impact of stress agents on the marine ecosystem and to suggest measures for its protection and preservation.

In addition to that, the course aims to familiarize students with the current analytical techniques utilized in monitoring and protection of the marine environment and assess the impact of human activities on it. This includes understanding the criteria and methods used to assess the quality of the marine environment in its various components,  water, sediments and living organisms, as well as the analysis and interpretation of the results obtained, and the development of strategies for mitigating environmental problems.

The course will provide hands-on experience through laboratory sessions, using samples collected from field studies or from laboratory experiments set for this purpose.  This will allow students to apply the theoretical knowledge they have acquired and develop their problem-solving skills.

Learning outcomes and competences

This course emphasizes practical skills, enabling students to identify and address environmental issues in marine ecosystems caused by natural or human-induced factors. The learning process will involve developing a strategy to evaluate the problem's extent and propose potential solutions to mitigate it, with a strong focus on hands-on experience.

The practical component of the course will be particularly relevant, as students will be required to prepare reports accounting for the errors and uncertainties of the measurements.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Chemical analysis 1.1 Spectrophotometric methods 1.2 Principles of chromatography 1.2.1 Gas chromatography 1.2.2 Identification and quantification 1.3 Inductively Coupled Plasma, Mass Spectrometry 1.3.1 Calibration and quantification
2. Biochemical analysis: protein expression and activity 2.1 Electrophoresis 2.1.1 Sample preparation, diferential centrifugation 2.1.2 Protein quantification 2.1.3. Sample application and eletrophoretic run 2.1.4 Coloring and visualization of proteins 2.1.5 Calculation of molecular weights 2.2 Immunoblotting transfer 2.2.1 Membrane blockage with antybody 2.3 Revelation by imunofluorescence 2.4 Enzymatic activity quantification in tissues exposed to stress agents. 3. Quantification of acetylcholinesterase activity in different tissues 3.1 tissue preparation 3.2 Reaction kinetics with the substrate 3.3 Calculation of the enzymatic activity inhibition in tissues exposed to stress agents.

Mandatory literature

Baird C., Cann M.; Environmental Chemistry, W.H. Freeman and Company, 5 th ed., 2012
Skoog, D. A., Holler, F. J., Crouch S.S. R.; Principles of Instrumental Analysis, Brooks Cole Publisher, 7th edition, 2017
Harris D. C.; Quantitative Chemical Analysis, W.H. Freeman and Company 7th edition, 2006

Teaching methods and learning activities

The course incorporates a variety of teaching methods to facilitate learning. Theoretical sessions offer an introduction to techniques and instruments, including demonstrations and explanations for achieving the desired outcome.
During laboratory sessions, students have the opportunity to apply the analytical techniques they have learned to actual samples, and then produce a report to demonstrate their understanding of the analytical techniques. This approach fosters hands-on learning and encourages students to take an active role in their education.

keywords

Natural sciences > Environmental science

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Trabalho laboratorial	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Apresentação/discussão de um trabalho científico	10,00
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	25,00
Estudo autónomo	20,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Trabalho escrito	20,00
Trabalho laboratorial	10,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

To meet the attendance and submission requirements, students must attend at least 75% of the laboratory sessions and submit the respective reports.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final score (C.F.) is calculated as the weighted mean of the pratical reports score (N.R.P.) and  the score of a written assay (TS), orally presented,  where N.R.P. is the average of the scores of laboratory reports.

The formula is:  

C.F. = (N.R.P. x 0,50 + T.S. x 0,50)

Classification improvement

The score can be improved through a written exam.