MABIO4200 Methods in Biochemistry and Cell Biology Course description

The course forms a theoretical and practical basis for assessing choices and methods that are relevant both in current and future medical diagnostics and research. This comprises immunological, biochemical, cell and molecular biology methods. A selection of these methods are used in the practical work.

Basic technical laboratory skills in methods in biochemistry and cell biology at bachelor’s degree level.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme. The course is also offered as an individual course.

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 selected methods in biochemistry and cell biology, their possibilities and limitations
• is capable of discussing theory and principles for advanced in vivo and in vitro protein analyses
• has up to date knowledge of proteomics
• has knowledge of advanced microscopy techniques and their areas of application
• has advanced knowledge of different methods for preparation of transgenic animals, and can explain the laws and regulations that regulate the production of such animals

Skills

The student is capable of

• assessing biochemical and cell biological methods’ suitability, their strengths and weaknesses in an independent manner
• using and critically interpreting results from selected methods in the field of biochemistry and cell biology in an independent manner
• conducting bio-informatic searches in web-based sequence databases
• writing a research report in a scientific manner

Competence

The student is capable of

• critically assessing relevant methods in biomedical research and diagnostics
• designing a research study in biochemistry and cell biology
• making use of, discussing, and disseminating advanced research literature
• critically assessing the ethical dilemmas of using animals in research

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

This course gives students a basis for developing and maintaining good relational skills, with special emphasis on the interdependence of verbal and non-verbal behavior. Through analyses of contributions from social psychology, motivation research, and behavior analysis, students learn a practical approach to understanding causal attribution. The actual observational basis for various explanatory models is systematically examined. The objective of the course is that students acquire ways of analyzing the contingencies for both their own behavior and the behavior of others, promoting desired behaviors.

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Individual oral exam, up to 30 minutes

None

Grade scale A-F.

Teaching and learning methods include lectures, discussions, individual reports and workshop/seminars. Students read selected texts in advance for each day of class, and everyone is expected to participate in class through questions and through joining in discussion.