module specification

This module will overview the bioanalytical analytical analysis methods commonly encountered within biomedical science supporting quantitative and qualitative analyse of biological and pharmacological agents and their metabolites. Modern instrumental methods will be reviewed and practical experience given. 
The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.
The module aims to introduce students to a range of techniques for determining the presence of an element or compound in a specified sample and the concentration at which it occurs and to describe the theoretical background and instrumental requirements for these techniques. Through extensive practical work and structured examples, it will give students experience of quality control, quality assurance, handling analytical results and assist students to develop practical skills in selected techniques and develop a feel for sample preparation, instrument calibration and other practical aspects of analysis.

BC4001 & BC4052

Principles and terminology of analysis: qualitative and quantitative techniques, absolute and empirical methods, sampling, sample treatments, standards, quality control, quality assessment and calibration techniques. LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Spectroscopic methods: Solution spectrophotometry - instrumentation and applications; assess samples using appropriate light source and the principles behind choosing the correct source for a sample; Quantitative analysis of solutions in the UV/Visible; quantitation in the infrared; fluorescence and phosphorescence.
Identification methods for RNA, DNA, Proteins and Gene manipulation. LO1, LO2, LO3
Separation Methods: chromatographic separation - Plate Theory, HETP. Instrumentation for gas chromatography- injectors, column packings, detectors; quantitative applications. Instrumentation for High Performance Liquid Chromatography: theory and quantitative applications. Recent developments in chromatographic systems - chiral chromatography, capillary chromatography, gel filtration. 
Developments in Flow cytometry. Ultracentrifugation as a separation technique for fractionation of cells and lipoproteins. ELISA methods for sample identification and quantification.
Electroanalytical techniques: electrophoretic separation of samples theory and practice
Ion-sensitive electrodes, membrane systems, pH electrodes, examples of cation and anion sensitive systems, enzyme sensors and their use in sample analysis

The module is delivered through a range of different mechanisms including introduction to techniques lecures, practical work, tutorials, on-line material and directed course work.
Targeted practical sessions (18 h) are used to emphasise the need to record experimental data rapidly and accurately, verify quality via QA and QC processes, to produce results to deadline and to display material in clear and appropriate forms. Students will be expected to process and interpret results obtained from sessions.  Literature assignments (10 h) linked to the practicals are used to place the analyses in context.
Lectures (10 h) are used to introduce the basic concepts of analysis, backed up by practical application. Theoretical and descriptive information is delivered by a mixture of lectures and tutorials.  Tutorial sessions (14 h) are either problem-directed, based on producing numerical solutions to specific data sets, or interactive group problem solving, discussion-based, aimed at establishing the way in which analytical systems is suited to a sample.  Students will be expected to prepare for practical and tutorial sessions weekly by reviewing appropriate material and devoting sometime to problem-solving exercises (15 h).
The module is supported by a website on WebLearn which includes a number of electronic learning aids. Students would be expected to use the site for assisted study (30 h).  Profiling will be delivered via an on-line site. Students will use the study weeks to reflect on experience to date and prepare material for the portfolio.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. outline the theoretical basis for selected analytical techniques and describe the instrumentation required
2. describe the steps involved in a controlled biochemical analysis
3. identify any errors arising from a determination and evaluate the reliability of the results obtained.
4. use instrumental data to verify the presence or concentration of an analyte in a specified sample

Assessment will comprise two practical reports (1500 words each) where a part of the report students will be required to interpret and evaluate biochemical data.
To pass the module, students need to achieve a minimum aggregate mark of 40%.  There will be an attendance requirement for the practical sessions. If the module is passed on reassessment, then the maximum mark awarded will be 40%.

Component                                           Marks            Learning outcomes
Practical Report 1 (1500 words)       50%               1,2,3,4  
Practical Report 2 (1500 words)       50%               1,2,3,4

Faraday A. (2018) Principles and Techniques of Gene Manipulation. 1st Edn.Callisto Reference
Harris, DC. (2010) Quantitative Chemical Analysis, 8th Edn. Freeman
Hofmann, A and Clokie, S. (2018) Wilson and Walker’s Principles and Techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 8th Edn. Cambridge University Press.
Skoog, DA., Crouch, SR., and Holler, FJ. (2007) Principles of Instrumental Analysis,6th Edn , Brooks/Cole
Williams, DH., and Fleming, I. (2008) Spectroscopic Methods in Organic Chemistry, 6th Edn, Magraw Hill