Chemistry has changed rapidly over the past decades and techniques that were once exclusively applied to small molecules are now routinely used with larger molecules, such as proteins. This course will be the first introduction of students to the field of chemical biology,  which spans chemistry, biology and physics. Biological molecules and systems are analysed and modified using chemical principles and techniques.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Have an advanced understanding of the physical and chemical principles that underpin biology.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of physical and chemical basis for how and why drugs work.
3. Analyse enzyme kinetic and receptor binding data.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of modern synthetic techniques for drug development.
5. Demonstrate expertise with techniques for protein analysis.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of advanced biophysical techniques for protein analysis, including the capacity to discuss their relative merits and interpret data from those techniques.
7. Synthesise a small molecule inhibitor.
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of chemical biology in industry and commerce.

Research-Led Teaching

Chemistry is essentially an experimental science. The laboratory program consists of a variety of experimental exercises designed to:

1. illustrate and develop competence in a range of chemical and biochemical techniques and manipulative skills.
2. emphasise the importance of a quantitative analytical approach to biochemical systems.
3. develop an awareness of the scope and limitation of experimental observation and accuracy.
4. illustrate chemical and biological topics, principles and concepts.

Required Resources

The prescribed textbook is: The Molecules of Life: Physical and Chemical Principles by Kuriyan, Konforti and Wemmer, 1st Edition.

The text book is available as an ebook and as a hard copy.

The hardcopy can be purchased from the Garland web page: http://www.garlandscience.com/product/isbn/9780815341888

A copy is available in the chemistry drop-in centre and in the University library.

This text forms the basis of the course, and many of the examples, illustrations, and exercises used will be taken directly from them. It should be used extensively and intelligently to support and enhance your understanding of the subject. In addition, a molecular model kit can also be purchased from the Research School of Chemistry.

Recommended Resources

Course Website – online resources

Login using your student ID and password at http://wattle.anu.edu.au to find the course websites for CHEM2211. You will be automatically added to these websites the evening

after you have enrolled in the courses via ISIS. If you cannot see the online site/s, please contact the Undergraduate Chemistry Administrator (rsc.teaching@anu.edu.au). These course websites will contain lecture material, extra resources, self-test questions and discussion board postings. Please check these sites at least once per week for important notices.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

1. A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
2. Webcam
3. Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
4. Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
5. Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
6. Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Summary of penalties for exceeding word limits. Some assessed items in this class may have a maximum word limit. If submissions exceed these maximum lengths then the following penalties will apply: (a) 5% penalty if word limit exceeded by up to 5%; (b) 10% penalty if word limit exceeded by between 5% and 10%; (c) 10% penalty if word limit exceeded by >10%, and material beyond the 10% word limit will not be marked. 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	3 lectures by Christoph Nitsche, 1 lab (Nitsche lab 1)	Lab report 1
2	3 lectures by Christoph Nitsche,
3	2 lectures and 1 revision tutorial by Christoph Nitsche, 1 lab (Nitsche lab 2)	Lab report 2
4	2 lectures by Christoph Nitsche, 1 lab (Nitsche lab 3)	Lab report 3
5	3 lectures by Christoph Nitsche
6	2 lectures and 1 revision tutorial by Christoph Nitsche
7	3 lectures by Colin Jackson, 1 lab (Nitsche lab 4)	Mid Semester Exam, Lab report 4
8	3 lectures by Colin Jackson, 1 lab (Jackson lab 1)	Lab report 5
9	2 lectures and 1 revision tutorial by Colin Jackson
10	3 lectures by Colin Jackson, 1 lab (Jackson lab 2)	Lab report 6
11	3 lectures by Colin Jackson
12	2 lectures and 1 revision tutorial by Colin Jackson	Final Exam (exam period)

Tutorial Registration

There will be a number of laboratory class groups operating on Thursday and Friday afternoons. You will be asked to select a laboratory stream on the CHEM2211 WATTLE homepage http://wattle.anu.edu.au. Discuss any timetable clashes immediately with the Convenor.

PLEASE NOTE: A student who consumes any laboratory chemicals or compounds that have been prepared in the laboratory will be excluded from the course.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Topic Exam 1	35 %	<br>
Topic Exam 2	35 %	<br>
Nitsche Lab 1	5 %	<br>
Nitsche Lab 2	5 %	<br>
Nitsche Lab 3	5 %	<br>
Nitsche Lab 4	5 %	<br>
Jackson Lab 1	5 %	<br>
Jackson Lab 2	5 %

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

A pass in the laboratory work is required in order to gain a pass in CHEM2211. To pass the laboratory, you must complete all laboratory sessions and submit reasonable attempts of all laboratory reports.

Penicillin laboratory

Please be advised that the practical laboratory sessions involve working with penicillins. An alternative assessment stream will be made available to those with a history of penicillin allergy (doctor’s certificate required).

Two of the laboratory sessions involve penicillins, designated Nitsche labs 1 and 2. For students with a penicillin allergy that prevents their participation in these classes (doctor's certificate required), the following alternate assessment is available. Those students should obtain results from others in the class or from the laboratory demonstrators and use them to complete laboratory reports in the usual way. In addition, they should, with the final report, provide a critical review of approximately 1500-2000 words on "Fleming, Florey and Chain, and the history of penicillin". The review should include a title, abstract and bibliography as well as the main text.

Examination(s)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date for mid-semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held; the due and return date for end of semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and the date official end of Semester results are released on ISIS. Students should consult the course Wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Topic Exam 1

The first topic exam will assess lecture material covered in the first 17 lectures (given by Christoph Nitsche). This exam will alert students to the standards expected and give valuable early feedback on progress.

Please check the course Wattle site to confirm the date, time and location of the mid semester exam.

Assessment Task 2

Topic Exam 2

The second topic exam will assess lecture material covered in the last 17 lectures (given by Colin Jackson).

Please check the ANU final Examination Timetable to confirm the date, time and location of the end of semester exam.

Assessment Task 3

Nitsche Lab 1

A laboratory report must be submitted within one week following the lab.

Each will be worth 5% of the total grade.

Report templates will be provided on WATTLE.

Assessment Task 4

Nitsche Lab 2

A laboratory report must be submitted within one week following the lab.

Each will be worth 5% of the total grade.

Report templates will be provided on WATTLE.

Assessment Task 5

Nitsche Lab 3

A laboratory report must be submitted within one week following the lab.

Each will be worth 5% of the total grade.

Report templates will be provided on WATTLE.

Assessment Task 6

Nitsche Lab 4

A laboratory report must be submitted within one week following the lab.

Each will be worth 5% of the total grade.

Report templates will be provided on WATTLE.

Assessment Task 7

Jackson Lab 1

A laboratory report must be submitted within one week following the lab.

Each will be worth 5% of the total grade.

Report templates will be provided on WATTLE.

Assessment Task 8

Jackson Lab 2

A laboratory report must be submitted within one week following the lab.

Each will be worth 5% of the total grade.

Report templates will be provided on WATTLE.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Course Convenor submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Course Convenor. Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be available for collection in the Drop In-Centre at the Research School of Chemistry, Building #137 or on request.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

If the submission of a lab report is deemed unsatisfactory by the Course Convenor (on advice from the laboratory demonstrator), you may be asked to resubmit the report.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students