FARMA1310 Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology Course description

The course covers selected topics from biochemistry, cell biology and microbiology. Biochemistry focuses on the structural and functional aspects of biological molecules such as proteins (including enzymes), carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids, along with fundamental biochemical processes and energy transfer in human cells.

Cell biology deals with the structure/organisation of human cells and the sequence of events in the cell cycle. Other key topics include transport over the plasma membrane, signal transmission/communication between cells and the flow of information from DNA for protein synthesis.

Microbiology provides an introduction to the main groups of microorganisms (eubacteria, fungi) and viruses, and emphasises sub-groups that are particularly relevant to pharmaceutics and medicine. Other key topics are the mechanisms of antibiotic action and the processes behind the development of antibiotic resistance, and identification and classification of microbes. The laboratory course provides an introduction to basic techniques used in molecular biology and microbiology. Students will also perform simple diagnostic tests in this practical part of the course.

Composition of subjects, with credits specified:

• Biochemistry 5 ECTS.
• Cell biology 5 ECTS.
• Microbiology 5 ECTS.

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

• has detailed knowledge of the structure, nomenclature and reactions of selected biological molecules
• has detailed knowledge of the structure of human cells
• has knowledge of the function of enzymes as biological catalysts and energy transfer in human cells
• is capable of outlining the main features of transport processes, signal transmission and the regulation of cell division in human cells
• is capable of outlining the main features of the flow of information from DNA to proteins in human cells
• has knowledge of the structural features and qualities that characterise eubacteria, fungi and viruses and their significance in pharmaceutics and human medicine
• is capable of describing relevant methods used to identify and classify microbes
• is capable of describing the structure and mechanisms of action of antibiotics and can explain how antibiotic resistance arises

Skills

The student

• is capable of using selected methods to detect and measure macromolecules in biological material
• is capable of performing basic DNA-analyses
• is capable of isolating, cultivating, identifying and determining the resistance of nonfastidious microbes using aseptic technique
• is capable of interpreting and presenting experimental data from selected biological research and tests
• in cooperation with other students, is capable of planning, conducting and presenting written and verbal laboratory-related project assignments in the fields relevant to the course

Research methods and statistics play a key role in behaviour and social research, and a basic understanding of methodological and statistical concepts is necessary to be able to read research articles and assess the quality of data and findings.

Passed the course PSYK2100

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

Knowledge 

The student can

• describe general research methodology
• describe basic research designs and the different types of validity
• explain the application of descriptive statistics
• describe the general principles of statistical hypothesis testing
• explain Type l and Type II errors
• explain different types of basic statistical analyses and their application

Skills 

The student can

• assess research results from published studies and the validity of the findings
• design a good study and complete simple statistical analyses of his/her own data

Competence 

The student can

• communicate the basic principles of research methodology, hypothesis testing and statistics

Work and teaching methods used in the course are lectures, self-study and group work. A seminar day will also be held where students are given practical exercises in using simple statistical analysis and interpreting results.

To prepare for the examination must the following obtain approved:

• participation in compulsory teaching activities (100%)

Portfolio exam comprising four tests and a digital, supervised written exam lasting four hours. All four tests must be approved before the student can take the digital, supervised written exam. All the components must be awarded a pass grade before the exam as a whole can be passed.

If the student fails one test, the student can retake this test. Resit/rescheduled attempts at the four tests can be taken once before the ordinary, digital, supervised written exam. Before the resit/rescheduled digital, supervised written exam, students will be given a third and final attempt at one or more of the tests.