SubjectsSubjects(version: 982)
Course, academic year 2026/2027
  
   
Bioorganic Chemistry of Natural Compounds - B342001
Title: Bioorganická chemie přírodních látek
Guaranteed by: Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds (342)
Faculty: Faculty of Food and Biochemical Technology
Actual: from 2026
Semester: winter
Points: winter s.:5
E-Credits: winter s.:5
Examination process: winter s.:
Hours per week, examination: winter s.:2/2, C+Ex [HT]
Capacity: unknown / unknown (unknown)Schedule is not published yet, this information might be misleading.
Min. number of students: unlimited
State of the course: taught
Language: Czech
Teaching methods: full-time
Level:  
Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan
enabled for web enrollment
Guarantor: Parkan Kamil doc. Ing. Ph.D.
Classification: Chemistry > Organic Chemistry
Interchangeability : AB342001, N342001
Is interchangeable with: AB342001
Examination dates   Schedule   
Annotation -
The course introduces the basic groups of natural products, their structures, properties, reactions, and applications. It also explains fundamental concepts related to molecular structure, stereochemistry, and chirality, emphasizing the relationship between the structure of natural compounds and their biological activity.
Last update: Parkan Kamil (07.04.2025)
Course completion requirements -

• Attendance at lectures is recommended but neither mandatory nor monitored.

• Attendance at seminars is mandatory and may be monitored.

• During the seminars, students are required to complete two credit tests.

• Oral checks of students’ preparedness may take place both during seminars and lectures.

• Consultations can be organized upon the student’s request and by mutual agreement.

• Course completion: The requirement for obtaining the course credit is to pass two interim tests with a score above 50%. The course is completed by an oral examination.

Last update: Parkan Kamil (07.04.2025)
Literature -

R: McMurry J.: Organic chemistry, 8th Ed., Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning, 2012, 9780840054449

Last update: Fialová Jana (18.12.2017)
Teaching methods -

• Lectures supported by presentations and practical examples.

• Frontal interactive teaching: the instructor presents the material while students are actively involved through short activities (questions, discussions).

• Discussions during lectures focused on critical thinking and exchange of ideas.

• Case studies – applying theory to real-world examples from natural product chemistry and bioorganic chemistry.

• Seminars focused on solving practical tasks based on the theoretical knowledge from lectures.

• Solving problems individually and in pairs, emphasizing consultation and discussion of solution strategies.

• Analysis of more complex tasks through discussion and independent work.

• Interactive discussions and problem-solving at the board to develop argumentation and analytical thinking.

• Formative assessment and continuous feedback during the seminars.

Last update: Parkan Kamil (13.04.2026)
Requirements to the exam -

The examination consists of an oral part.

The oral examination can only be taken after obtaining at least 50% from both course credits.

The course credit is awarded based on the completion of two interim written tests. Credit is granted if the average score of these tests is at least 50% (each test is scored from 0 to 100 points). If the average score is below 50%, the student must pass a comprehensive make-up test with a minimum of 50 points out of 100 to obtain the credit.

The final grade is based solely on the result of the oral examination. Passing both course credits is a necessary condition for taking the oral exam.

If the course credit is not obtained, the course grade is automatically recorded as F.

Last update: Parkan Kamil (07.04.2025)
Syllabus -

1. Bioorganic chemistry – definition of natural products, overview, occurrence, and nomenclature

2. Stereochemistry of natural products, chirality

3. Isolation of compounds, structure determination

4. Relationships between structure, biogenesis, and biological activity

5. Monosaccharides, nucleophilic addition to carbonyl groups

6. Oligosaccharides and polysaccharides

7. Amines – basicity and nucleophilicity

8. Alkaloids, nucleosides, drugs, and pharmaceuticals

9. Hydroxy acids – acidity

10. Amino acids, peptides, and proteins

11. Lipids and prostaglandins

12. Terpenoids – electrophilic addition, polyphenols

13. Antibiotics, drugs, pharmaceuticals, patent policy

14. Determination of metabolic pathways – precursor labeling, metabolite tracking, food adulteration

Last update: Parkan Kamil (07.04.2025)
Learning resources -

Lecture notes

PowerPoint presentations

Textbook: Prouza, Vít, Zýka, Jakub. Bioorganic Chemistry of Natural Products. Prague: University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague, 2022. ISBN 978-80-7592-149-9. Available online: UCT e-learning portal

Last update: Parkan Kamil (07.04.2025)
Learning outcomes -

Students will be able to:

1. Correctly apply the nomenclature of organic compounds in both written and oral communication.

2. Describe the structure, properties, reactions, and biogenesis of major groups of natural products, and understand the relationship between structure and biological activity.

3. Determine the configuration, chirality, and probable conformations of organic molecules based on structural formulas.

4. Illustrate and explain the reaction mechanisms of fundamental types of chemical and biochemical reactions.

5. Apply theoretical knowledge to solving practical problems related to natural products and bioorganic chemistry.

Competencies developed by the course:

• Professional knowledge and skills:

Understanding the structure, properties, reactivity, and biosynthesis of natural products. Ability to correctly apply organic nomenclature and explain reaction mechanisms and the relationships between structure and function.

• Analytical and critical thinking:

Ability to analyze structural formulas and molecular stereochemistry, and to apply knowledge in solving practical problems and case studies.

• Independent problem-solving:

Development of the ability to work independently when solving chemical and biochemical problems and to design strategies for addressing more complex tasks.

• Teamwork:

Development of skills in consulting and discussing solution approaches and collaborating on assignments during seminars.

• Communication skills:

Ability to present solutions using professional terminology, discuss results, and accurately communicate in the field of natural product chemistry.

• Capacity for further professional development:

Preparation of students for advanced studies in bioorganic chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, and natural product research.

Last update: Parkan Kamil (08.04.2025)
Registration requirements -

B110001 Organic Chemistry A, B110002 Organic Chemistry B

Last update: Parkan Kamil (13.04.2026)
 
VŠCHT Praha