MABIO4100 Molecular Cell Biology Course description

The course forms a broad theoretical basis in biomedical subjects and comprises metabolism, cellular communication, gene regulation, and control of cell growth. It focuses on differences between normal conditions and different pathological conditions.

Etter gjennomført emne har studenten følgende læringsutbytte definert i kunnskap, ferdigheter og generell kompetanse:

Kunnskap

Studenten

• kan utvikle og begrunne problemstilling til masteroppgave
• kan selvstendig beskrive relevant teoretisk referanseramme og/eller kontekst som danner grunnlag for prosjektplan til masteroppgaven

Ferdigheter

Studenten

• kan planlegge et forskningsprosjekt og skrive en prosjektbeskrivelse med presist vitenskapelig format og språk
• kan gjennomføre omfattende og systematisk litteratursøk relatert til egen prosjektbeskrivelse, sammenfatte og diskutere andres funn, samt referere korrekt
• kan reflektere rundt etiske problemstillinger knyttet til eget prosjekt

Generell kompetanse

Studenten

• kan analysere og kritisk vurdere ulike kilder til data og kan anvende kildene i faglige resonnementer
• kan kritisk vurdere relevante etiske normer og verdier knyttet til valgt metode i prosjektbeskrivelse
• kan vurdere om et forskningsprosjekt krever ulike former for registreringer eller godkjenninger i henhold til gjeldende lovverk

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

• has advanced knowledge of cell proliferation, different forms of cell death and carcinogenesis
• has advanced knowledge of cellular communication and biochemical signal transmissions
• has detailed knowledge of endocytosis and exocytosis
• is capable of explaining molecular transport across membranes in detail
• has in-depth knowledge of the cytoskeleton
• has advanced knowledge of the regulation of gene expression, different epigenetic and posttranslational modifications
• has in-depth knowledge of cancer at a molecular and cell biological level
• has in-depth knowledge at a molecular level of retroviruses and the development of HIV/Aids
• is capable of describing molecular mechanisms for selected metabolic and endocrine diseases and cardiovascular and neurological disorders
• has advanced knowledge of stem cells’ properties and applications

Skills

The student is capable of

• using cell biology to explain normal cellular processes
• using cell biology to explain selected pathological conditions and evaluate possible strategies for intervention

Competence

• The student is capable of analysing, discussing, summarising, and disseminating scientific articles in the field of molecular cell biology

Work and teaching methods include lectures, seminars with oral student presentations and discussions, group work and self-study.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• presentation of a research article, individually or in groups of 3-6 students

Admission to the study program

On successful completion of the course, the student has the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe and discuss societal influences that support a complexity perspective
• can describe and discuss complexity as a scientific approach
• can describe and discuss dualism as a philosophical perspective, and the effect of dualism in an applied setting
• can describe reductionism; emergence; critical mass; consilience; the unity of science, and other concepts from complexity science
• can give examples of analyses of the same phenomenon at different levels of reduction
• can describe and discuss differences in antagonistic and complementary professional approaches to the same phenomenon
• can describe and discuss the principle of selection at different levels of complexity

Skills

The student

• can analyze networks as the structure of complex adaptive systems
• can identify nodes and hubs, assessing the robustness and vulnerability of networks
• can identify category mistakes and discuss mentalism and evolutionary approaches
• can cite sources and arrange a reference list according to the current standard from APA
• can use EndNote for citations and references in written assignments

The course will include lectures, discussions, individual reports and seminars.

Students submit 4 written assignments, each with maximum 3 pages including references, according to the deadlines in the course schedule.