KJM3500 Molecular and cell biology Course description

Students will receive an introduction to the principles of molecular and cell biology. The course provides an overview of gene structure and function in eukaryotes, genetics, and epigenetics. It also covers central cellular processes, including intracellular transport, cell signaling, the cell cycle, cell death, and autophagy. Additionally, students will be introduced to bioinformatics analysis. In the laboratory, students will learn how to perform transfection, immunofluorescence, and become familiar with the use of light microscopy.

The course builds on KJM2400 Biochemistry and KJTS3100 Biotechnology.

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:

• has knowledge of the fundamental principles of gene structure and function in eukaryotes, as well as the methods used to study gene function
• can understand the methods related to genome annotation
• is familiar with databases used in bioinformatics analysis
• can explain how epigenetic modifications affect gene expression
• can explain the molecular mechanisms leading to cancer development
• has a good understanding of classical genetics, including Mendel's laws and exceptions to these
• has knowledge of central cellular processes: intracellular transport, cell signaling, the cell cycle, cell death, and autophagy
• is familiar with the structure and function of the cell's cytoskeleton and various types of microscopy used in cell biology

Skills

The student:

• can perform transfection of mammalian cells
• can detect specific proteins/organelles by immunofluorescence and analyse them by light microscopy
• can present and respond to tasks both orally and in writing within the knowledge area presented in the course
• can understand and present a research article where molecular and cell biological methods are used
• can compare nucleotide sequences
• can perform a simple bioinformatics analysis using programming

General competence

The student:

• can acquire knowledge in molecular and cell biology
• can plan and conduct molecular and cell biology experiments
• can assess and communicate results from molecular and cell biology laboratory experiments in writing
• can find peer-reviewed articles and assess references critically
• can provide constructive feedback to fellow students
• can reflect on their own performance and incorporate feedback from fellow students 

The teaching consists of lectures, group work, oral presentations and laboratory work.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam (2-4 hours pr exercise/task): 

• 2 day laboratory course
• Peer-review of an oral presentation (2 hours)
• One lab report in groups of 2-4 students, 10-20 pages

Partial exam that includes:

• 2 assignments (one oral presentation of a scientific article in group of 2-4 students that is presented to the class, one lab report in groups of 2-4 students, 10-20 pages per lab report) (accounts for 60% of the final grade)
• individual oral exam (accounts for 40% of the final grade)

The oral exam result cannot be appealed.

No aids allowed.

Grade scale A-F (fail).

One internal examiner for the assessment of the written assignments. Two internal examiners for the oral presentation. Two examiners for the individual oral examination (one internal, one external).