BIOB1300 Cell Biology and Biochemistry Course description

The course comprises fundamental theoretical knowledge in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics and microbiology. Knowledge in these subjects are an important basis for understanding the methods and analyses used in the biomedical laboratory sciences discipline, and to be able to place the analysis results in a biological context.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe the structure, function and metabolism of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cellscan
• can describe the flow of genetic information, from DNA to RNA to proteins
• can give examples of how factors relating to cell biology can affect health and disease
• can describe the structure and properties of important macromolecules
• can describe the function of enzymes as biological catalysts
• can describe principles of basic genetics and is familiar with the relationship between hereditary factors and disease
• can describe similarities and differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
• can describe the conditions for cellular growth

Skills

The student

• can perform selected genetic analyses
• can analyse and interpret data derived from biomedical and cell biological analyses

General competence

The student

• can work problem-based in groups
• can convey central subject matter in cell biology and biochemistry to fellow students

The course consists of the following subject areas, specified below as the number of credits:

• Biochemistry 3.5 credits
• Cell biology 3.5 credits
• Genetics 2 credits
• Microbiology 1 credit

The work and teaching methods consist of lectures, seminars, laboratory work and group work.

Emphasis is placed on student-active learning methods. Digital learning resources are used in the course in the form of video lectures and practical exercises.

• Passed first year or equivalent of the Bachelor’s Programme in Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, with the exception of the course BIOB1060

or

• Admitted to the Complementary Education in Biomedical Laboratory Science

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe the important properties of some of the most prevalent forms of human pathogenic microorganisms
• can give examples of how microorganisms can cause disease
• can describe the main principles of antibiotics’ mechanisms of action
• can describe some of the resistance mechanisms of bacteria and explain how bacteria can develop resistance to an antibiotic
• can explain how microorganisms can be determined with the help of microscopy, cultivation, bio-chemical, immunological and gene technology methods and mass spectrometry, and describe the methods’ areas of use, possibilities and limitations
• can assess the importance that findings of different microorganisms can have in different types of sample material
• can explain the principles behind different immunological methods for detection of antibodies against microorganisms and describe the methods’ areas of use, possibilities and limitations
• can explain quality assurance for relevant methods and analyses
• has knowledge of sample collection and the correct treatment of different types of sample material for microbiological investigations, and how analytical, pre- and postanalytical conditions influence analysis results
• can explain principles for sterilisation and disinfection
• is familiar with how social conditions affect the extent of various infectious diseases and the development of resistance at a national and global scale

Skills

The student

• can detect, isolate and identify important human pathogenic microorganisms and carry out resistance testing on antibiotics, quality assuring methods used and assess sources of error
• can carry out and quality assure different methods for detecting antibodies in patients in connection with infection or vaccination and assess possible sources of error related to these
• can perform work in a responsible manner that safeguards infection control
• can follow procedures for responsible waste management both with regards to the danger of infection and the environment

General competence

The student

• is familiar with the laws and regulations relating to infection control in society and the health services
• can reflect on his/her own practice, keeping up with the latest academic research, seeking and receiving supervision
• can interpret an order containing clinical information and provide the correct test result

Work and teaching methods include lectures, assignments (individually and in groups) and laboratory work.

Most teaching activities take place in the laboratory, where findings of microorganisms and their antibodies, if any, from different types of sample material are examined. Relevant theory is linked to practice through lectures, individual assignments and various forms of group assignments in addition to self-study.

In order to be permitted to take the exam, the following must have been approved:

• a minimum of 90 per cent attendance in laboratory work
• a minimum of 80 per cent attendance in scheduled group work
• laboratory reports in accordance with specified criteria

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

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