This course will introduce biopolymers, namely nucleic acids, peptides/proteins, and carbohydrates. Their properties, chemistry, and approaches for synthesis will be discussed.

Content will be delivered through eight one-hour lectures, a one-hour tutorial and a three-hour workshop.

None

One piece of coursework consisting of a short report (ca. 1500 words) critically evaluating a recent paper (30%).

One 60 minute class exam covering lectured content (70%).

To gain a critical understanding of the fundamental chemistry, properties, and chemical methods of synthesis for nucleic acids, peptides/proteins and carbohydrates.

By the end of this course students should be able to:

1. Critically appraise and predict the physical and chemical properties of nucleic acids, peptide/proteins and carbohydrates from their characteristic functional groups.

2. Critically evaluate different methods for peptide, nucleic acid and carbohydrate synthesis

3. Critically evaluate the structure, properties and application of biomimetic polymers.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.