MAPSY4070 Forskningsdesign og prosjektbeskrivelse Emneplan

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.

Individual written examination with invigilation, 4 hours.

Exam questions are in English. Students may submit their exams in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

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 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

An external and internal examiner will assess all exams

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

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