Metals and life
On this page
Metals play a vital role in the metabolism of plants and animals and, increasingly, in medicine. This course examines the chemistry of the transition metals and outlines the key role they play in living systems, for example in respiration and photosynthesis. It considers how organisms acquire metals, their transport and storage, illustrated by the particular example of iron in the human body. The significant impact of metals in medicine will also be investigated, looking at their role in diagnostic imaging and therapy, as well as the effects of too much metal (metal toxicity) and of metal deficiency.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S347 |
| Credits | 20 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 3 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
The course starts with an introduction to the metals essential to life and some of the biological ligands with which they are associated. It then examines the chemistry of the transition metals, some of the metals most key to life, and their aqueous ions and complexes. This introduction to coordination chemistry provides the necessary background to go on to consider how the metals are acquired from the environment, how they are transported and ultimately how they are stored, highlighted in particular with the example of iron in the human body. An introduction to the fascinating field of biomineralisation will be included, looking at the build up of bones and teeth. The course then considers two of the theories that link the many facets of transition-metal chemistry, crystal-field theory and molecular orbital theory, which provide the necessary foundation to understand the roles that metals and their complexes play in living systems. Particular key processes covered include oxygen transport and delivery, photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, electron transport and the biological roles of zinc and cobalt (in vitamin B12). The course concludes by looking at the important roles that metals play in medicine, both in diagnostic imaging and therapy itself, with examples such as platinum anti-cancer drugs, gold and arthritis and vanadium in diabetes care. The areas of metal overdose, toxicity and deficiency will also be considered.
The course aims to develop your:
- knowledge and understanding of the chemistry of metals and coordination chemistry
- knowledge and understanding of the roles that metals and their complexes play in living systems
- abilities in creative thinking, coherent writing and the assembly, organisation and processing of information and data for a given purpose through problem-solving based on these areas of chemistry.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU.
You are advised to prepare yourself for this course by taking our key introductory Level 1 course, Exploring science (S104), and our Level 2 course, The molecular world (S205) . These will have covered most of the necessary background. You can get an idea of the level required by looking at the S205 study material. Your regional or national centre will be able to tell you where you can see reference copies, or you can buy selected materials from Open University Worldwide Ltd.
It is essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since students who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For S347? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed or printed from the Are you ready for science? website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
You may find the following useful as background reading:
D.E. Fenton, Biocoordination Chemistry (1995) (Oxford Chemistry Primer), Oxford University Press
P. Atkins et al, Shriver and Atkins Inorganic Chemistry (2006), Oxford University Press, 4th edition. ISBN-13: 978-0-19-926463-6
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader (mathematical and scientific materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way). Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
A number of the learning outcomes for the course are underpinned by concepts that depend on ideas supported by a mixture of complex figures, schematics, tables, mathematical and chemical equations and reaction schemes. Achieving these learning outcomes may be challenging if a student has severe visual impairment. Students concerned about the visual aspects of the course should contact their regional adviser for more information. Students who use specialist hardware and software or those with queries about other additional needs can also contact their adviser for assistance or advice.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting your needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Course books, other supplementary materials, DVD, course website and online forums.
You will need
To engage in the online tutorials you will need a headset with microphone. Broadband internet access is desirable.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. The course forum will provide continuous study support, and act as a virtual self-help group and enable students to support one another. We will also offer online tutorials, in which you are encouraged to participate.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You must use the online eTMA system to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs).
The TMAs have a total workload equivalent of two full TMAs.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can view or download our Recognition leaflets 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions, 3.4 Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management and 3.8 Scientific Institutions for further information.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2012. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S347 |
| Credits | 20 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| 3 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
A challenging but very interesting course that puts inorganic chemistry in the frame of the biosciences. This course was definitely ...
Read more
A very well-supported course - great module team and tutors, really useful course-wide Elluminate tutorials, good, clear course books. Content-wise, ...
Read more
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
Browse the prospectus
Get a prospectus
Download or
order
Share
This PageThe University wishes to emphasise that, while every effort is made to regularly update this site, the material on it is subject to alteration or amendment in the light of changes in regulations or in policy or of financial or other necessity.