The course covers aspects of microbial infections of food and water. Topics covered will include microbiological examination of potable water, microbial classification of raw foods, contamination of foods from natural sources, spoilage organisms and food borne pathogens. Special emphasis will be given to food borne pathogens; fungi, viruses, parasites poisoning, food infection and the effects of aflatoxins in foods. Cans, principles of canning, and other food preservation methods, use of microorganisms in food fermentation will also be studied. Microbiological food standards, good manufacturing practices, principles of cleaning, hazards in foods, risk, toxins and contaminants, Hazard Analysis & HACCP, perception of risks, stakeholders etc., will be examined.
The course provides students with an overview of the physiological functions and effects of nutrient deficiencies and trends in the consumption of carbohydrates, protein and lipids. Emphasis will be given to food as a source of energy; functions and distribution of minerals in the human body; dietary sources, deficiency symptoms, human requirements for minerals. Topics such as trace elements in human nutrition and requirements; landmarks in the discovery of vitamin and their functions, recommended intakes, dietary sources; effects of deficiencies of fat soluble and water soluble vitamins will be covered.
The course covers the structure and function of genes; structure of DNA (A, B, and Z DNA); methods for sequencing DNA; DNA and chromosome structure; characteristics of eukaryote genomes; modification and processing of RNA; reverse transcription; retroviruses and the basic concepts in nucleic acid metabolism. The course also covers the handling and processing of recombinant DNA; laboratory methods demonstrating concepts and techniques in recombinant DNA and genetic modification of organisms. Application of recombinant DNA technology in medicine, food, pharmaceutical, agricultural, waste management and mining industries will be discussed.
This course applies statistical methods to biological information. It deals with sampling techniques, data presentation, analysis and interpretation. Types of distribution (e.g. normal, binomial and Poison) will also be discussed. Procedures including t-test, ANOVA, correlation and regression will be used to analyse biological data. Students will be taken through some basic experimental designs such as Completely Randomised, Randomised Complete Block and Factorial designs.
The course emphasises the basic concepts in endocrinology focusing on hormones and their structure, biosynthesis, secretion, regulation and control. Other aspects of the course deal with the mechanism of signal transduction and the role of hormones in signal transduction. Also included are the methods of studying hormones and hormonal disorders. The pharmacological effects of hormones and hormone therapy will be treated.
The course is designed to give students an opportunity to do research in enzyme kinetics. Students will be made to carry out a mini project that makes use of enzyme kinetics principles for them to appreciate the application of enzymology in everyday life. Students will also be expected to complete their training with 4-6 weeks laboratory internship during the semester break.
This course is a continuation of BCH 212. The main focus is on the use of UV/visible, infrared, fluorimetry, circular dichroism, flame photometry, electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry and microscopy methods. The course also provides basic concepts in the application of radiometric techniques in biochemical research. The course will also focus on detection, purification and identification of macromolecules. Chromatography, homogenisation, centrifugation methods and high-throughput separation systems will be discussed. Other topics to be covered include spectroscopy, polarimetry, titrations, colorimetry, and flame photometry.
The course focuses on detection, purification and identification of macromolecules. Emphasis is laid on the theory and application of diffusion, membrane filtration and dialysis (Donan equilibrium) gel permeation chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, centrifugation methods and high-throughput separation systems.
The course aims at providing students with theory and the practical knowledge in physical methods in biology. The course begins with the general principles of analytical biochemistry but the main focus is on the physical characterization of biological macromolecules. Here, the emphasis is on the use of UV/visible, infrared, fluorimetry, circular dichroism, flame photometry, electron spin resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry and microscopy methods. The course also provides basic concepts in the application of radiometric techniques in biochemical research.
This course covers topics such as structure of some organic molecules, physical and chemical properties, synthesis of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, alcohol, amines and their derivatives.