Natural Product Chemistry I
- Sciences
- 300 level
- 2 credit units
- 81 pages
- 4 units
This course provides a foundational understanding of natural product chemistry. It explores the nature, types, and chemical properties of natural products, including terpenes, steroids, and alkaloids. The course covers biosynthesis, classification, extraction, and applications of these compounds. Students will learn about the importance of natural products in various fields and their biological activities.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 75 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Basic Organic Chemistry
- Introductory Biology
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of CHM318, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
CHM318 · UNIT 2 CLASSIFICATION OF TERPENES
Terpenoids are extraordinarily diverse but they all originate through the condensation of the universal phosphorylated derivative of hemiterpene, isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) giving geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP).
What you should be able to do
- Define and classify terpenes, steroids, and alkaloids.
- Describe the biosynthesis of terpenes via the mevalonic acid and MEP/DOXP pathways.
- Explain the structure and function of steroids in biological systems.
- Discuss the properties, extraction, and applications of alkaloids.
- Identify the major classes of alkaloids and their sources.
- Apply knowledge of natural product chemistry to understand drug action and development.
What it prepares you for
- Pharmaceutical Chemist
- Natural Product Researcher
- Quality Control Analyst
- Drug Discovery Scientist
- Medicinal Chemist
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Cosmetics Industry
- Food and Beverage Industry
- Agricultural Industry
- Research and Development
- Spectroscopic Techniques (NMR, IR, Mass Spectrometry)
- Chromatography (TLC, HPLC)
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1: Terpenes
Unit 1: Biosynthesis of Terpenes
Understanding the intricacies of the MEP/DOXP pathway requires a strong grasp of biochemistry and enzymatic reactions.
- Module 3: Alkaloids
Unit 2: Classification of Alkaloids
The diverse range of alkaloid structures and their complex biosynthetic pathways require memorization and a deep understanding of organic chemistry principles.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 63 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Terpenes
Unit 1: Biosynthesis of Terpenes · 2 hours
Define terpenes and terpenoids.. Understand the history behind terpenes.. Describe the biosynthesis of terpenes, including the mevalonic acid and MEP/DOXP pathways.. State the form in which terpenes occur naturally..
- Week 2Module 1: Terpenes
Unit 2: Classification of Terpenes · 2 hours
Understand the various classes of terpenes.. Know the distinguishing features of all classes of terpenes.. Give examples of each class of terpenes, including acyclic, monocyclic, and bicyclic monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, sesterpenes, and triterpenes..
- Week 3Module 2: Steroids
Unit 1: Nature of Steroids · 3 hours
Describe the structure of a steroid, including the four fused rings.. Give various categories of steroids, such as animal steroids, plant steroids, and fungus steroids.. Discuss the biosynthesis of steroids, including steroid synthesis and steroidogenesis.. Understand the metabolism of steroids..
- Week 4Module 3: Alkaloids
Unit 1: Nature of Alkaloids · 3 hours
Know what alkaloids are and their basic structure.. Understand the properties of alkaloids, including their solubility and basicity.. Know modes of extraction of alkaloids from natural sources.. Comprehend the applications of alkaloids in human endeavor, including medicine and agriculture..
- Week 5Module 3: Alkaloids
Unit 2: Classification of Alkaloids · 3 hours
Understand the diversity of alkaloids.. Know the major classes of alkaloids, including true alkaloids, protoalkaloids, polyamine alkaloids, peptide alkaloids, and pseudoalkaloids.. Give examples of alkaloids in each group.. Understand the classification based on nitrogen heterocycles..
- Week 6Module 1: Terpenes
Unit 1: Biosynthesis of Terpenes · 2 hours
Review the biosynthesis of terpenes, focusing on the mevalonic acid and MEP/DOXP pathways.. Practice identifying different types of terpenes based on their structures.. Discuss the importance of terpenes in various biological processes..
Unit 2: Classification of Terpenes · 2 hours
Review the classification of terpenes, including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes.. Identify examples of each class of terpenes and their distinguishing features.. Discuss the applications of terpenes in essential oils and other products..
- Week 7Module 2: Steroids
Unit 1: Nature of Steroids · 4 hours
Review the structure of steroids, including the four fused rings and functional groups.. Discuss the different categories of steroids, such as cholesterol, sex hormones, and corticosteroids.. Understand the biosynthesis of steroids from lanosterol and cycloartenol..
- Week 8Module 3: Alkaloids
Unit 1: Nature of Alkaloids · 3 hours
Review the definition of alkaloids and their basic nitrogen-containing structure.. Discuss the properties of alkaloids, including their basicity and solubility.. Understand the extraction methods for alkaloids from plant materials..
Unit 2: Classification of Alkaloids · 3 hours
Review the classification of alkaloids based on their chemical structure and biogenetic origin.. Identify the major classes of alkaloids, including pyrrolidine, tropane, and pyridine derivatives.. Discuss the applications of alkaloids in medicine, agriculture, and as psychoactive drugs..
- Week 9Module 1: Terpenes
Unit 1: Biosynthesis of Terpenes · 4 hours
Practice problems on terpene biosynthesis pathways.. Work through examples of terpene classification and structural identification.. Prepare a summary of the importance of terpenes in plant physiology..
- Week 10Module 2: Steroids
Unit 1: Nature of Steroids · 4 hours
Analyze case studies involving the role of steroids in hormonal regulation.. Compare and contrast different types of steroids and their functions.. Prepare a presentation on the medical applications of steroids..
- Week 11Module 3: Alkaloids
Unit 1: Nature of Alkaloids · 4 hours
Research and present on the extraction and purification of alkaloids from natural sources.. Discuss the biological roles of alkaloids in plants and their ecological significance.. Prepare a report on the use of alkaloids as pharmaceuticals and psychoactive substances..
- Week 12Module 1: Terpenes
Unit 1: Biosynthesis of Terpenes · 6 hours
Review all course materials.. Focus on key concepts and definitions.. Prepare for the final examination..
Unit 2: Classification of Terpenes · 6 hours
Review all course materials.. Focus on key concepts and definitions.. Prepare for the final examination..
- Week 13Module 2: Steroids
Unit 1: Nature of Steroids · 6 hours
Review all course materials.. Focus on key concepts and definitions.. Prepare for the final examination..
Unit 1: Nature of Alkaloids · 6 hours
Review all course materials.. Focus on key concepts and definitions.. Prepare for the final examination..
Preparing for the exam
- Create detailed concept maps linking the biosynthesis pathways of terpenes, steroids, and alkaloids.
- Practice drawing the structures of key natural products and their derivatives.
- Review the different extraction methods for alkaloids and their underlying principles.
- Focus on understanding the structure-activity relationships of natural products in medicine.
- Solve practice problems related to the classification and identification of terpenes, steroids, and alkaloids.
- Memorize key reactions and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of natural products.
- Review all self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked assignments.
Questions students ask about this course
What is CHM318 about?
This course provides a foundational understanding of natural product chemistry. It explores the nature, types, and chemical properties of natural products, including terpenes, steroids, and alkaloids. The course covers biosynthesis, classification, extraction, and applications of these compounds. Students will learn about the importance of natural products in various fields and their biological activities.
How many units does CHM318 have?
CHM318, Natural Product Chemistry I, has 4 units across 3 modules, over 81 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is CHM318?
CHM318 carries 2 credit units, at 300 level in Sciences.
Is CHM318 hard?
CHM318 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does CHM318 take to study?
About 75 hours of study, spread across its 4 units.
How is CHM318 assessed?
CHM318 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What do I need before starting CHM318?
Basic Organic Chemistry Introductory Biology
What can I do with CHM318?
Pharmaceutical Chemist, Natural Product Researcher, Quality Control Analyst, Drug Discovery Scientist and Medicinal Chemist.