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CH30230: DNA in the modern world

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2018/9
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Chemistry
Further information on credits Credits: 3      [equivalent to 6 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 60
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: EX 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Exam (EX 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this module you must take CH20149 OR take CH20150
In taking this module you cannot take CH40230
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The aim of this unit is to show the impact DNA research has had and may have on modern society.

Learning Outcomes:
On completing this unit, students should be able to: write out the sequence of reactions for the synthesis of a short section of single stranded DNA; design primers for a polymerase chain reaction; write out the mechanism for the polymerase chain reaction; list the causes of DNA degradation; outline the procedure for obtaining a sample of DNA from an ancient source; interpret both modern and 'historical' DNA fingerprints; explain how DNA can be used to store information and compute; outline the strategy for obtaining a modern DNA fingerprint; explain how a DNA machine works; outline a process for creating structures from DNA.

Skills:
Problem solving (T, F, A), Scientific writing (F, A), Independent working (F).

Content:
Chemical synthesis of DNA; the polymerase chain reaction; ancient DNA and its implications for human evolution; modern and 'historical' DNA fingerprinting; storing information in DNA; DNA computers; artificial structures ('DNA origami') and machines derived from DNA.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

CH30230 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Chemistry
  • USCH-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry (Year 3)
  • USCH-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCH-AFB07 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 3)
  • USCH-AAB08 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCH-AKB08 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery with Industrial Placement (Year 4)
  • USCH-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Industrial Placement (Year 4)
  • USCH-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management (Year 3)
  • USCH-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USCH-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Chemistry with Management with Industrial Placement (Year 4)
  • USCH-AFM02 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry (Year 3)
  • USCH-AFM05 : MChem(Hons) Chemistry for Drug Discovery (Year 3)
  • USCH-AFM07 : MSci(Hons) Chemistry with Management (Year 3)
  • USCH-AKM07 : MSci(Hons) Chemistry with Management with Industrial Placement (Year 4)

Notes: