MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr I Stansfield

Pre-requisites

BI 2002, BI 20M3 and BI 25M6. BI 25M5 is strongly recommended.

Overview

The course provides a comprehensive, molecular biological guide to the workings of the cell, emphasising how component biological processes within the cell interact and link. Drawing on a range of examples from bacterial to higher eukaryote cells, the course leads from the structure and function of DNA, through transcription, into protein synthesis. The folding and cellular targeting of proteins are considered in context of the cell biology and functioning of organelles such as the nucleus. Finally, cell communication with the environment via signal transduction mechanisms links with a section on the cell cycle, the regulation of cell division and apoptosis.

Students must pass the course overall, comprising a composite pass mark made up of in-course and formal examination elements.

Structure

The formal teaching comprises 4 one-hour lectures per week, 1 two-hour workshop per fortnight, 4 three-hour practicals during the course and 1 two-hour tutorial. In-course assessment will consist of a practical report, 2 essays, 2 multiple choice tests under exam conditions, and 1 data handling exercise written under examination conditions.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour examination (50%) and in-course assessment (50%). Oral examination for borderline candidates.

Resit: 1 two-hour examination (50%) and in-course assessment (50%). Oral examination for borderline candidates.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr B Mueller

Pre-requisites

BC 3503, BT 3007, MB 3005,
GN 3502.

Co-requisites

MB 4504, MB 4050.

Overview

The formal teaching comprises two options each 15h contact time. Each option will cover seperate areas of Molecular Biology working from the original literature under the supervision of 1-3 members of staff. Two essays will be written and examined. All students are required to prepare for, and to attend, a reading party in the week prior to term.

Structure

Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the Head of School.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 elements (33%), in-course assessment in the form of two essays, 4 elements (67%) in the form of a single three hour exam paper.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr B Muller

Pre-requisites

For Biochemistry, BC 3503, BT 3007, MB 3005, BT 3007 and GN 3502 or MC 3504); for Biochemistry (Immunology), IM 3802, BT 3007, MB 3005 and GN 3502 or MC 3504; for Biotechnology, BC 3503, MB 3005, BT 3007 and GN 3502 or MC 3504; for Genetics, GN 3502; BT 3007 and MB 3005 strongly recommended; for Genetics (Immunology), GN 3502, IM 3802, BT 3007, MB 3005; strongly recommended; for Immunology, IM3802, BT 3007, MB 3005 + 30 further credits agreed with Adviser; for Microbiology, MC 3504, BT 3007, MB 3005 and BC 3503 or IM 3802; for Molecular Microbiology, MC 3504, BT 3007, MB 3005, BC 3503; for Molecular Biology, BC 3503, BT 3007, MB 3005, GN 3502; for Medical Molecular Biology, BM 3006, MB 3005, BM 3501, BM 3502 and BC 3503 or IM 3501. For all above degree programmes with Industrial Placement, BT 5007 is an additional pre-requisite.

Co-requisites

For Biochemistry, BC 4012 and BC 4514; for Biochemistry (Immunology), BC 4013 and BC 4515; for Biotechnology, BT 4005 and BT 4507; for Genetics, GN 4007 and GN 4509; for Genetics (Immunology), GN 4008 and GN 4510; for Immunology, IM 4003 and IM 4503; for Microbiology, MC 4012 and MC 4514; for Molecular Microbiology, MC 4013 and MC 4515; for Molecular Biology, MB 4004 and MB 4505; for Medical Molecular Biology, BM 4007 and BM 4509.

Overview

The formal teaching comprises a core lecture programme of 45 1-hour lectures. These cover advanced aspects of; protein structure as it relates to the function of enzymes and protein complexes; the role and regulation of gene expression, including post-transcriptional regulation; developmental and cell biology; genome organisation and analysis in the context of genome sequenses and post-genomic technologies. One essay covering a topic relevant to the separate areas covered by the degree programmes will be written and examined.

Structure

All students are required to prepare for, and to attend, a reading party in the week prior to term. Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the Head of School.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written paper (80%); in-course assessment (20%) consisting of 1 essay.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Professor K Docherty

Pre-requisites

BC 3503, BT 3007, GN 3502 and MB 3005.

Co-requisites

MB 4004, MB 4050

Overview

The core element of the course is a research project that involves 10 weeks laboratory work and production of a thesis. Assessment is on the basis of the performance in the laboratory, the thesis, and the project seminar. Two research tutorials will be organised by academic staff and will be assessed by examination at the end of Semester. Tutorials will be held at regular intervals with the tutor appointed by the Head of School.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 two-hour examinations (2 elements each) and 1 four-hour examination (3 elements) (63.6%); in-course assessment (36.4%).