Photosynthesis and Energy

6 EC

Semester 2, period 5

53548PHO6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator dr. V.U. Chukhutsina
Part of Master Physics and Astronomy, track Advanced Matter and Energy Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track Science for Energy and Sustainability, Master Chemistry (joint degree), track Science for Energy and Sustainability, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track Biophysics and Biophotonics, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Course manual 2024/2025

Course content

Photosynthesis is the ultimate source of nearly all energy on the planet. But what are the key principles and building blocks allowing plants and other organisms to photosynthesize? By the end of the course Photosynthesis and Energy you will know the answer to these questions. You will understand and be able to apply the fundamental principles of photosynthesis. You will be able to model and predict energy conversion in living and artificial light harvesting systems.

Covered themes:

  • Photosynthesis: an overview of the biological process.
  • The relevant structures: pigments, proteins, the photosynthetic membrane. Excitation energy transfer and excitons.
  • Charge separation by the reaction center and electron transfer. Charge stabilization.
  • Proton coupled electron transfer. Theenergetics of photosynthesis.
  • Photosynthesis and the environment. Improving potosynthesis.

Study materials

Literature

  • R.E. Blankenship, 'Molecular Mechanisms of Photosynthesis',2rd edition; R. Croce et  al.,'Light harvesting in photosynthesis' 2017

Syllabus

  • Lecture notes and slides are provided electronically

Objectives

  • Introduce the fundamental aspects of photosynthesis and photosynthetic energy conversion.
  • Modelling photosynthetic systems.
  • Analyzing and interpreting time-resolved spectroscopy data on photosynthetic samples.
  • Critically read and disseminate literature on relevant topics in photosynthesis, discuss with peers.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Self-study
  • Laptop seminar
  • Computer lab session/practical training
  • Presentation/symposium

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Lecture & practical training

22

Laptop seminar

22

Tentamen

5.5

Zelfstudie

118.5

 

Attendance

Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    Absence needs to be communicated to the course coordinator.

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    0.5 (100%)

    Tentamen digitaal 1

    Assignments

    Assignment 1

    • group presentations

    Assignment 2

    • quiz

    Assignment 3

    • seminar

    The course includes three mandatory assignments. The first assignment involves group presentations, while the second is a quiz. The third assignment requires presenting concepts related to photosynthesis improvement curated by Prof. R. Croce during the session. Together, these assignments account for 50% of the final grade, weighted as follows: 15%, 25%, and 10%, respectively.

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen
    1 Intro, Orbitals
    2

    Absorption, Pigments in excited state, Fluorescence
    3 Antennas and excitation energy transfer, pump-probe
    4 EET in large complexes, Time-resolved fluorescence, Assignment1
    5

    Electron transport
    6

    Assignment2, Monitoring photosynthesis in vivo, Rubisco, ATP
    7 Assignment 3 Mock Exam/Questions
    8 Exam

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • dr. V.U. Chukhutsina