Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a comprehensive program in General Biochemistry 1 (BioK1), which is part of the Bachelor's programs in Biology and Physics.

Program Description

The program aims to provide a theoretical introduction to the main areas of biochemistry, with an emphasis on the structure and function of the most important macromolecules and general metabolism, as well as enzymology, through lectures and exercises. Additionally, students will receive a practical introduction to laboratory work through a series of exercises, where they will work with important biochemical techniques.

Learning Objectives

The student will be able to:

• Classify essential groups of molecules involved in cellular metabolism and describe the basic chemical properties and structure of carbohydrates, proteins, and nucleic acids.
• Describe enzyme kinetics and use Michaelis-Menten kinetic theory for quantitative analysis and calculation of experimental data.
• Understand the general mechanism of enzymes in relation to phenomena such as saturation curves, inhibition, and allosterism.
• Describe the basic principles of replication, transcription, and translation, as well as how genetic information is transferred to protein synthesis.
• Describe the general principles and key elements of central metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, TCA cycle, electron transport, fat and amino acid metabolism, and photosynthesis.

Course Content

The course consists of a theoretical part, comprising lectures and exercises, and a practical part, consisting of three laboratory exercises. The theoretical part includes seven mandatory assignments, and the practical part includes three reports from laboratory exercises.

Assessment

The course is assessed through a written on-site exam, which is an ITX exam. The exam is 4 hours long, and all aids are allowed, except for Generative AI and internet access.

Examination Requirements

To be eligible for the exam, the student must have participated in three of the course's laboratory exercises and submitted reports from the laboratory exercises. The reports must be approved by the instructor. Additionally, the student must have submitted 5 out of 7 assignments.

Course Information

• Language: Danish
• Course code: NBIA04031U
• ECTS points: 7.5
• Level: Bachelor
• Duration: 1 block
• Placement: Block 4
• Schedule group: B

Teaching Staff

The course is taught by:

• Søren Rosendahl
• Jakob Grunnet Knudsen
• Ditte Skovaa Andersen
• Anders Løbner-Olesen
• Frank Hauser
• Michael Kühl

Department and Faculty

The course is offered by the Department of Biology, which is part of the Faculty of Natural and Biochemical Sciences.