CH3PN2: Polymers in Nature and Industry

Module code: CH3PN2

Module provider: Chemistry; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr John McKendrick, email: j.e.mckendrick@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 2 October 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module will introduce you to bio- and man-made polymeric materials, their synthesis, biology and chemistry. In this module you will explore how amino acids and carbohydrates can be oligomerised to form a variety of materials that can have a myriad of functions. Synthetic polymers have an equally complex synthetic and functional chemistry, through this module you will explore the basics of synthesis, physical characterisation and functional applications. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Describe the main features of protein structure and the forces that stabilise these structures. 
2. Appreciate the complexity of higher order protein structure and how it is formed from a few basic building blocks. 
3. Understand the chemical synthesis of peptides and proteins via solution or solid phase synthesis; appreciate the problems that arise when chemically synthesising proteins. 
4. Describe and draw the structures of monosaccharides and disaccharides.  
5. Understand and describe the current theories behind the anomeric effect.  
6. Explain the concept of protecting group strategy and apply this to the synthesis of disaccharides.  
7. Describe various routes to globally and selectively protected monosaccharides and apply appropriate strategies to the synthesis of target compounds.  
8. Explain neighbouring group participation and the effects this can have on the stereochemical outcome of glycosylation reactions.  

Module content

The course looks at the naming and structures of carbohydrates as well as the basic reactions of carbohydrate monomers such as the interconversion of conformations. The anomeric effect and its consequences in synthesis will be discussed, as well as the factors thought to be behind it. Methods for globally and selectively protecting the hydroxyl groups of sugars will be introduced as well as the application of protecting group strategy in the synthesis of disaccharides. Finally, synthetic methods to biologically relevant oligosaccharides will be covered, including enzymatic synthesis and solid phase synthesis.

A survey of basic amino acid chemistry and peptide/protein synthesis; N- and C-terminal protection chemistry; amino acid activation as used in peptide coupling reactions in solution or solid phase. Methods for protein synthesis through oligomerisation of peptide fragments, e.g native chemical ligation. An overview of the hierarchy of protein structure and examples of protein-protein binding in the formation of higher-order structures.

Polymer Chemistry - Radical, cationic and anionic polymerisation processes and the structural classes of the polymers that may be formed. Molecular weight determination, polymer characterisation.

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be delivered through a series of lectures with associated workshops and formative tutorials.  

You should expect approximately 3 lecture hours per week with either a workshop or tutorial. 

Summative assessment will be via online test and an in-person examination. 

Study hours

At least 33 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative workshops will be held to prepare students for the assessed tutorial questions.

Reassessment

Additional costs