Course syllabus for Introduction to cell and molecular biology

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameInledande cell- och molekylärbiologi
  • CodeUCM010
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTKBIO
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyBioengineering
  • DepartmentBIOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 48127
  • Maximum participants110
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0102 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c
  • 30 Maj 2022 pm J
  • 09 Okt 2021 am J
  • 17 Aug 2022 am J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Introductory courses in biology and chemistry.

Aim

The aim of this course is to provide basic and introductory knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, from the structure and function of cells, cellular components and compartments to molecules and basic molecular processes in the cell.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • state and define the similarities and differences between bacterial and eukaryal cells.
  • describe and explain the nature and function of the genetic material (DNA) and how it is replicated, transcribed, translated and repaired
  • describe and explain the structures and roles of various sub-structures of the cell (i.e. the organelles, cell components, cell compartments and basic cell pathways).
  • do a simple complete cloning experiment by performing laboratory techniques including cloning in E.coli,PCR, restriction analysis and DNA gel electrophoresis.
  • understand, analyze and present the lab work by writing a report in the style of a short scientific paper.

Content

This course will focus on molecular biology of the cell i.e. in cell structures and composition, and cellular processes at molecular level, such as replication, transcription, translation, gene regulation, cell cycle and death, energy generation. The second focus is how to study cells and molecules and what can we learn by these methods. Overall, the content can be seen as 5 main topics:

1. Cellular biology (virus, bacteria, archaea, animal cell, plant cell, subcellular structures and their functions)
2. molecular genetics, DNA metabolism and gene expression (transcription and translation in bacteria and eukarya)
3. proteins fates, structures and functions
4. molecular and cellular biology techniques (cloning, manipulation and study of function and structure of biological macromolecules)
5. Intracellular regulations and cell functions

Laboratory classes (exercise) will include a cloning exercise in which PCR, restriction, ligation, transformation, selection of clones and isolation of the constructed plasmid is performed. Prior to the lab exercise, the student will learn how to look at gene sequences and find relevant motifs and plan the experiment.

This course provides an overall introduction and the foundation for the subsequent courses in molecular and cell biology, microbiology and biotechnology in the Bioengineering program, and for any student wishing to explore more specialized aspects of cell and molecular biology.

Organisation

The course is composed mostly of lectures that cover and extend upon the material available from the textbook for this course. Some lectures include problems and exercises.
The course also includes compulsory laboratory work. Lectures related to the lab exercise contain additional material needed to prepare the lab and also to prepare the report.
Group work and individual work is expected in the classroom (problem solving, discussions) and in the lab.

Literature

Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th Edition). Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, and Peter Walter. Reading pages for both the 5th and the 6th editions are available to students, in case someone has an old book.

Laboratory manual and instructions for the report are provided at the course (and the course webpage).

Examination including compulsory elements

Students must pass the written examination, attend laboratory classes, preform the lab exercise and submit the written report according to instructions.

Written final exam. Grades are U (fail), 3, 4, and 5. You need 45% to pass (3), 65% for 4 and 85% for 5. The final exam can contribute up to 95% of the total grade and up to extra 5% can be obtained from the laboratory work which will include a small written report, in the format of a scientific paper.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to examination:
    • 2021-09-21: Grade raising Changed to grade raising by GRULG