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.

To be accepted in the laboratory part of the course it is required to have approved laboratory course in KJM3100 Biotechnology and KJM2400 Biochemistry, or corresponding qualifications.

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 detect specific proteins/organelles using immunofluorescence and light microscopy
• 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 perform molecular and cell biology experiments
• can assess and communicate results from molecular and cell biological laboratory experiments in writing
• can present and respond to tasks orally within the knowledge area presented in the course
• 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 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 days laboratory course
• 1 lab report, maximum 10 pages in group of 2-4 students
• Peer-review of an oral presentation (15 mins) and a reflection report (1 page)

Partial exam in three parts:

Part 1: 1 oral presentation (15 mins) of a scientific article in group of 2-4 students that is presented to the class, which accounts for 30 % of the final grade.

Part 2: One lab report in groups of 2-4 students (maximum 10 pages) which accounts for 30 % of the final grade.

Part 3: Individual oral exam, 30 mins, that accounts for 40 % of the final grade.

Part 1 and 3 cannot be appealed, part 2 can be appealed.

All parts of the exam must be passed in order to pass the course.

No aids allowed.

Grade scale A-F.

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).

Viola H. Lobert