BMB509: Bioanalytical instrumentation

Study Board of Science

Teaching language: Danish or English depending on the teacher
EKA: N200004112, N200004102
Assessment: Second examiner: None
Grading: Pass/Fail, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor

STADS ID (UVA): N200004101
ECTS value: 5

Date of Approval: 12-04-2023


Duration: 1 semester

Version: Approved - active

Comment

DISCONTINUED - last offered Autumn 2023
  1. Exam attempts are held January 2024
  2. Exam attempts are held March 2024. The student is registered for the exam attempt.
  3. Exam attempts will be held in January 2025. The student is registered for the exam attempt.

Entry requirements

None

Academic preconditions

Students taking the course are expected to:
  • Have knowledge of basic mathematics and physics that include logarithms and exponential functions, linear algebra, first order differential equations, basic statistics and basic physical principles of electrodynamics, -statics and optics, as taught at gymnasium-level. 
  • Have knowledge of basic math, physics, chemistry and cell biology as taught in the first year of the bachelor program, as well as the content of the courses BMB532 and BMB533
  • Be able to apply the math and physics taught in the first year of the program.

Course introduction

The aim of the course is to enable the student to understand and apply selected methods for investigating biomolecular structure and function. Techniques such as microscopy, mass spectrometry and chromatography will be demonstrated.
The course builds on the knowledge acquired in the courses listed under academic preconditions below, and gives an academic basis for studying the topics of the bachelor project but also of courses advanced biophotonics and mass spectrometry, that are part of the degree.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:
  • Give competence in understanding the application of selected biochemical techniques to determine biomolecular structure and function as well as spatial distribution of biomolecules and molecular complexes in cells. 
  • Give skills to apply these techniques to solve a biological problem. 
  • Introduce microscopy, mass spectrometry and chromatography methods used in modern biochemistry and molecular cell biology, including practical work and demonstrations.

Expected learning outcome

The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:
  • Know the anatomy and function of the main components of chromatographic equipment.
  • Know the anatomy and function of the main components of a mass spectrometer.
  • Know the principles behind chromatographic separation of biomolecules.
  • Know the principles behind mass spectrometric analysis of biomolecules incl. LC-MS).
  • Apply chromatographic principles to optimize chromatographic separations.
  • Perform an interpretation of mass spectra.
  • Outline experiments for chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric analysis (incl. LC-MS) of biomolecules.
  • Interpret data obtained by microscopy, mass spectrometry and chromatography (incl. LC-MS) of biomolecules. 
  • Explain principles of relevant light-matter interaction, as radiation, absorption, reflection, refraction, diffraction or emission from molecules (i.e. fluorescence).  
  • Describe properties and application of fluorescence probes being used in biochemical and cellular research.
  • Know the anatomy and function of light microscopes including a description of its optical components.

Content

The following main topics are contained in the course:
  • Introduction to microscope optics and computer-assisted image analysis.
  • Detection and characterization of biomolecules by microscopy.
  • Visualization and localization of biomolecules in cells by microscopy techniques.
  • Introduction to mass spectrometry.
  • Introduction to chromatography.
  • Chromatographic separation of biomolecules based on their physical-chemical properties.
  • Qualitative and quantitative chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of biomolecules.

Literature

Textbook title is announced on Its learning, incl. notes and articles.

Examination regulations

Prerequisites for participating in the exam a)

Timing

Autumn

Tests

Lab exercises

EKA

N200004112

Assessment

Second examiner: None

Grading

Pass/Fail

Identification

Full name and SDU username

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Examination aids

To be announced during the course

ECTS value

0

Additional information

The prerequisite examination is a prerequisite for participation in exam element a)

Exam element a)

Timing

January

Prerequisites

Type Prerequisite name Prerequisite course
Examination part Prerequisites for participating in the exam a) N200004101, BMB509: Bioanalytical instrumentation

Tests

Oral exam

EKA

N200004102

Assessment

Second examiner: None

Grading

7-point grading scale

Identification

Student Identification Card

Language

Normally, the same as teaching language

Duration

20 minutes

Examination aids

To be announced during the course

ECTS value

5

Indicative number of lessons

40 hours per semester

Teaching Method

At the faculty of science, teaching is organized after the three-phase model ie. intro, training and study phase.
  • Intro phase - 20 hours
  • Training phase: 20 hours, including 8 hours tutorials and 12 hours laboratory

The lectures introduce the concepts and set the stage for the lab activities in the training phase.

Activities during the study phase:
  • Read textbook, notes, compendia, articles and slides from the lectures
  • Home assignments
  • Preparation for laboratory exercises

Teacher responsible

Name E-mail Department
Thomas J.D. Jørgensen tjdj@bmb.sdu.dk Biomedicinsk Massespektrometri og systembiologi

Additional teachers

Name E-mail Department City
Daniel Wüstner wuestner@bmb.sdu.dk Bioimaging

Timetable

Administrative Unit

Biokemi og Molekylær Biologi

Team at Educational Law & Registration

NAT

Offered in

Odense

Recommended course of study

Transition rules

Transitional arrangements describe how a course replaces another course when changes are made to the course of study. 
If a transitional arrangement has been made for a course, it will be stated in the list. 
See transitional arrangements for all courses at the Faculty of Science.