MABIO4210 Methods in Biochemistry and Cell Biology Course description

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain the principles behind targeted and non-targeted analytical strategies in bioanalysis
• can describe advanced techniques for preparing biological matrices, including extraction and concentration techniques suitable for biological samples
• can describe the operation and applications of advanced analytical instruments, with emphasis on chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques
• can explain quantitative analyses and calibration procedures used in bioanalysis, including the use of isotope-labelled standards, control samples and certified reference materials
• can explain procedures for identifying biomarkers, including data extraction, data processing and analysis of large amounts of analytical data
• can describe the principles for method development and validation in bioanalysis and the quality requirements that apply to such analyses

Skills

The student

• can make use of relevant literature as a basis for method development in bioanalysis
• can design proposals for analytical methods where independent choices of appropriate sample preparation and instrumental techniques need to be made
• can make use of different calibration techniques and associated quality control measures in quantitative analyses
• can perform biomarker identification based on chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses
• can use statistical methods and statistical software to interpret and quality-test analysis results

General competence

The student

• can participate in quality assurance work and method development in the bioanalytical laboratory
• can contribute to the development of technology in the field
• has an overview of technology development and future perspectives in the field
• has insight into the applications and limitations of chromatographic and mass spectroscopic analytical techniques used in bioanalysis.

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

The work and teaching methods used include lectures, seminars with exercises, and skills training in the form of laboratory assignments. Digital learning resources will be made available to the students.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• understands and is capable of explaining a range of biochemical and cellular biological methods, their possibilities and limitations
• understands the term proteomics, the principle behind selected analytical methods and their applications
• can describe different advanced microscopy techniques, principles and areas of application
• understands the principle behind different methods of preparation of transgenic animals, and can explain the laws and regulations that regulate the production of such animals

Skills

The student

• can assess the suitability of selected biochemical and cell biological methods and their strengths and weaknesses in an independent manner
• can use and critically interpret results from selected methods in the field of biochemistry and cell biology in an independent manner
• can conduct bio-informatic searches in web-based sequence databases
• can present research results in a scientific manner

General competence

The student

• can critically assess relevant methods in biomedical research and diagnostics
• can design an experiment in biochemistry and cell biology

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• an assignment in groups of 2-4 students in the form of a case study with an oral presentation
• two laboratory projects with the submission of two lab reports based on specified criteria. The projects are carried out in groups of 2-4 students.

If the course is taught in English, the oral presentation of the case study must be given in English.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• attendance at the course introduction
• minimum attendance of 80% at seminars
• minimum attendance of 80% at laboratory courses
• individual lab report based on specified criteria.

Individual oral exam, up to 30 minutes.

The exam can be taken in English or a Scandinavian language.

• A handheld calculator that cannot be used for wireless communication or to perform symbolic calculations. If the calculator’s internal memory can store data, the memory must be deleted before the exam. Random checks may be carried out.
• Collection of formulas (enclosed with the exam question paper)

Grade scale A-F.

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

Analytical chemistry/bioanalysis at bachelor’s level.