DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY

DEPARTMENT OF BIOCHEMISTRY  

OVERVIEW

The Department of Biochemistry teaches students in programs in medicine, pharmacy, medical laboratory science and also regular BSc Biochemistry students. It has one of the most well staffed departments in the University, boasting of 4 professors. It also has an expensive research laboratory which was established by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.

The curriculum will be presented as lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory/practical sessions both as large and small groups. The lectures will be used to provide an overview of topics especially new and modern concepts and provide basic science correlation.

Regular reading assignments and group discussions will be encouraged.

The introduction to Clinical Biochemistry will feature series of clinical case presentations involving patients and/or standardised patients in an attempt to bring in basic science/clinical science correlation along with other basic science departments.

OBJECTIVES  

1.       To introduce students to the diverse area of Biochemistry and reinforce the principles of basic sciences in modern day medical practice and research.

2.       Provide opportunity for participation in Biochemistry research projects. This may be in the form of research experience rather than complete research training.

3.       Promote independent learning skills early in their medical training.

4.       Provide an early and healthy environment where faculty role models stimulate students to pursue academic careers in Biochemistry.

5.       To provide experience where basic science and clinical science interrelate.

TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS

-         Use of transparencies, projection slides, power point and as contained in the detailed departmental syllabus/lecture outlines.

-         Optional reference text books

-         Use of external examiners, Clinicians and others as Guest lecturers.

EVALUATION

Evaluation shall be by written and oral examinations, during the course of the programme as part of continuous assessment and the final examination as the 2^nd MBBS prescribed by the Faculty. Attendance is also to be taken into consideration.

200 LEVEL CLASS

BCH 211 -INTRODUCTORY BIOCHEMISTRY (4 CREDITS)

Course objective:
At the end of the course the student should be able to list and describe acid base chemistry and the chemistry of human nutrients.

Teaching & Learning Methods:

Lectures, tutorials

Problem based learning.

Evaluation

MCQ (True-False items, Essay, Practical)

Content

-Acid-base Chemistry, Chemical kinetics

and orders of reactions, organic reactions.

-Chemistry of amino acids and proteins

-Chemistry of Carbohydrates

- Chemistry of Lipids

-Chemistry and biological functions of Nucleic acids

-Enzymes and biocatalysis including coenzymes

-Structure and properties of biological membranes including nature and thermodynamics of transmembrane transport of substances.

BCH 212 INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM (6 CREDITS)

Course objective:
At the end of the course the student should be able to list and describe aspects of intermediary metabolism such as thermodynamics, liver, nitrogen, nucleic acid and protein metabolism.

Teaching & Learning Methods:

Lectures, tutorials

Problem based learning.

Evaluation

MCQ (True-False items, Essay, Practical)

Content

Thermodynamics, bioenergetics and biochemical oxidation.

Muscle biochemistry including functional Specialization of cell structure and metabolism; Intermediary metabolism of carbohydrates

Liver biochemistry including functional specialization of cell structure; Nitrogen metabolism; Lipid metabolism.

Metabolism of nucleic acids.

Biosynthesis of Proteins.

BCH 213: EXPERIMENTAL BIOCHEMISTRY (2 CREDITS)

Practical biochemistry

Second semester

BCH 214: INTERMEDIARY METABOLISM II (3 CREDITS)

At the end of the course the student should be able to list and describe aspects of intermediary metabolism such as carbohydrates, nucleic acids and protein, to include genetic engineering and biochemical genetics.

Teaching & Learning Methods:

Lectures, tutorials

Problem based learning.

Evaluation

MCQ (True-False items, Essay, Practical)

Content

Bone and connective tissue biochemistry.

Blood biochemistry including haem biosynthesis and catabolism, blood clotting; Functions of Haemoglobin.

Gastrointestinal tract including nature and mechanism of secretion.

Catabolic pathways including xenobiotics and forensic biochemistry.

Biochemical genetics, inborn errors of metabolism; Genetic engineering.

BCH 215:  EXPERIMENTAL BIOCHEMISTRY II (4 CREDITS)

CLD 241:  CLINICAL DEMONSTRATIONS (1 CREDIT).

This will include among other topics and in collaboration with other basic science departments and the relevant clinical departments.

CLINICAL DEMONSTRATION TOPICS

1.       Hernias - inguinal, femoral, epigastric, incisional, lumbar,

2.       Clubfoot, syndactyly,cleft lip/palate

3.       Goitre

4.       Breast diseases

5.       Long bone fractures

6.       Parkinsonism

7.       Cerebrovascular accident

8.       Ascites

9.       Bleeding diathesis

10.   Foetopelvic disproportion

11.   Intrauterine death

12.   Multiple pregnancy

13.   Sickle Cell Disease

14.   Downs syndrome.

15     Myasthenia gravis

300 LEVEL CLASS

BCH 311: BIOCHEMISTRY OF THE WHOLE ORGANISM (4 CREDITS)

Course objective:
At the end of the course the student should be able to list and describe blood, hormones, forensic and nutritional biochemistry to include advanced genetic engineering.

Teaching & Learning Methods:

Lectures, tutorials

Problem based learning.

Evaluation

MCQ (True-False items, Essay, Practical)

Content

Blood Biochemistry including haem. Biosynthesis

And catabolism, blood, clotting, functions of

Haemoglobin

Catabolic pathways including Xenobiotics and 

Forensic biochemistry.

Hormones and Metabolic control

Nutritional Biochemistry

Neurochemistry

Immunochemistry

Biochemical genetics, inborn errors of metabolism;

Genetic engineering

Antimetabolites

Introduction to basic research methodology in Biochemistry

Introduction to basic computer in Biochemistry

Ethics in Biochemistry

BCH 312:  EXPERIMENTAL BIOCHEMISTRY (4 CREDITS)

Practical biochemistry  

CLD 324: CLINICAL DEMONSTRATION (1 CREDIT)  

Goitre

Parkinsonism

CVA’S

Ascites

Bleeding diathesis

Sickle cell/disease gravis

Down’s syndrome

Myasthenia gravis

Facial palsy

Cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis