2024 Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Undergraduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
Organic Functional Biochemistry
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Teruaki Hayakawa / Tomohiro Hiraishi
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Intensive
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MAT.P396
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 14, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course will cover structures and functions of biomolecules based on fundamental concept of organic chemistry. Topic will include some new applications of nucleotide materials and the basics of genetic engineering that is the core of biotechnology.
The aims of this course are to learn the basics of biochemistry including amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, sugars, and lipids, and their structures and functions, and to further understand material science and biotechnology.
Course description and aims
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand and explain basic knowledge regarding structures and functions of aliphatic acids and lipids.
2. Understand and explain basic knowledge regarding structures and functions of sugars and polysaccharides.
3. Understand and explain basic knowledge regarding structures and functions of amino acids, peptides, and proteins.
4. Understand and explain basic knowledge regarding structures and functions of nucleic acids.
5. Understand and explain basic knowledge regarding genetic engineering and applications of nucleic acids.
Keywords
basic organic chemistry, basic biochemistry, lipid, polysaccharide, peptide, protein, nucleic acid, genetic engineering
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
When necessary, at the beginning of a lecture, a summary of the previous lecture is given, followed by the main points of the day’s lecture. In the last 10-15min of each lecture, a quiz may be given to check whether students have learned the materials given.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Cells and Their Chemical Compounds | Students must be able to explain size and components of cells, intracellular molecules, and chemical bonds. |
| Class 2 | Aliphatic Acids and Lipids | Students must be able to explain classification, structures and functions of lipids and properties of lipid aggregates. |
| Class 3 | Structures and Functions of Sugars and Polysaccharides | Students must be able to explain structures, functions and applications of sugars and polysaccharides. |
| Class 4 | Structures and Functions of Amino Acids and Proteins | Students must be able to explain structures, functions and applications of amino acids, peptides, and proteins. |
| Class 5 | Structures and Functions of Nucleic Acids | Students must be able to explain structures and functions of nucleic acids, DNA, and RNA. |
| Class 6 | Genetic Engineering and Applications of Nucleic Acids | Students must be able to explain genetic engineering and new applications of nucleic acids. |
| Class 7 | Examination in Classes1-6 | Students must be able to comprehensively explain contents of this course. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Organic Chemistry, the third volume, John. E. McMurry, Tokyo Kagakudoujin
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Handout distribution
Evaluation methods and criteria
The grade is mainly evaluated by the results of the term-end examination.
Related courses
- None.
Prerequisites
None.