Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the course the student will be able to

  • name the different enzyme classes and describe their basic general functions
  • recognize active side principles of biocatalysts and assign their assumptive reaction type
  • describe key catalytic mechanisms on a molecular-structural basis
  • compose concise summaries of topics that were discussed during the contact sessions
  • analyze contemporary literature from the field
  • assess specific research details (from literature) and present them to an expert audience (your peers).

Credits: 5

Schedule: 01.03.2022 - 13.04.2022

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Jan Deska

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The principle activation mechanisms in biosynthesis have guided chemists in developing better and more sustainable catalytic production systems for a long time. More recently, however, the growing understanding and in-depth knowledge of biocatalytic principles enabled us to also directly exploit enzymatic catalysts as powerful tool organic synthesis.

    This course has a strong emphasis on the fundamental organic reaction mechanisms found in enzymatic activation as the molecular understanding allows us to justify and predict reactivity patterns and selectivities. In addition to the mechanistic perspective, various relevant enzyme classes will be explored with regard to their synthetic potential and applications in preparative organic chemistry. Moreover, the course will also include certain biotechnological aspects of biocatalysis as protein engineering, directed evolution and mutasynthesis represent the key tools to design optimized enzymatic scenarios for the utilization of natural systems in chemical production.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    The course is assessed based on

    • a learning diary, and
    • a seminar presentation

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact sessions 24 h

    Seminar preparation and presentation 24 h

    Reflection and learning diary 48 h

    Independent self-studies 39 h

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    All the necessary material is provided during the course. Additional information can be found e.g. in Faber: Biotransformations in Organic Chemistry, Springer; Berkessel, Gröger, Asymmetric Organocatalysis, Wiley-VCH

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Period:

    2020-2021 Spring IV

    2021-2022 Spring IV

    Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=CHEM-E4109

    Registration for Courses: In the academic year 2021-2022, registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi) instead of WebOodi.