KJM5310 – Biomolecular Structure and Function
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course offers a thorough introduction to structural biology. It is up to date, covering structures at the cutting edge of current research. The focus is on protein structure and function, but carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids will also be covered. In addition, the course provides an introduction to experimental methods for structure determination and structure prediction.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you shall:
- know the structures of the most important types of biomolecules and their architectural principles
- have a fundamental understanding of the relation between structure and function of biomolecules
- learn the different protein classification systems and obtain more detailed knowledge of enzymes, motor proteins, viral proteins, immunoproteins, amyloids and prions, membrane proteins, and large biomolecular complexes such as fatty acid synthase and the ribosome
- get an introduction to experimental methods for 3D structure determination, protein folding, and structure prediction
- learn how to analyse and interpret structure of any protein and how to make professional pictures of biomolecules
- get an overview of structural biology research activities in the Oslo region
Admission to the course
Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.
Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Recommended previous knowledge
KJM1101 – Generell kjemi, KJM1111 – Organic Chemistry I, KJM1140 – Biochemistry 1 for Chemists or equivalent.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with KJM9310 – BIOCAT - Biomolecular Structure and Function.
- 10 credits overlap with KJ434.
Teaching
The course runs over one semester. The teaching consists of:
- ca. 28 hours of lectures and
- ca. 16 hours of compulsory colloquium
- a compulsory literature assignment to be presented orally.
The compulsory assignment must be approved before the final exam.
Attendance at the first lecture is compulsory (also applies if you are on a waiting list). You lose your place on the course if a valid absence is not reported to the Department of Chemistry before the lecture starts.
Attendance at the colloquium is mandatory. If you are prevented from meeting, you have to show documentation that you were legally absent (medical note from a doctor or similar).
Examination
- Final oral exam which counts 100% towards the final grade.
This course has a mandatory exercise that must be approved before you can take the final exam
It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following course: KJM9310 – BIOCAT - Biomolecular Structure and Function
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed examination at the beginning of the next semester.
Re-scheduled examinations are not offered to students who withdraw during, or did not pass the original examination.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.