MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr I Stansfield

Pre-requisites

BI 2002, BI 20M3 and BI 25M6.

Co-requisites

None

Overview

The first part of the course deals with the basic biochemistry of genetic material, including an examination of DNA replication, including cell cycle, chromosome organisation, recombination and repair, and mobile genetic elements (transposons). We progress into the core central dogma by dealing with both prokaryotic and eukaryotic mechanisms for the transcription of DNA into RNA and the subsequent synthesis of proteins encoded in mRNA. The focus then moves first to protein molecules, dealing with protein processing, targeting and turnover, and then to cell biological aspects of protein trafficking, membrane transduction and cell signalling. The course concludes with a discussion of cell structure and cell death. Laboratory work, assignments and tutorials are designed to complement and extend the lecture topics. Additional learning opportunities are provided in the staged series of Workshops, which allow the opportunity to actively employ understanding of a topic in a workshop/small group learning environment.

Structure

The formal teaching comprises 4 one-hour lectures per week, 1 two-hour workshop per fortnight, 5 three-hour practicals during the course and 1 two-hour tutorial.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One 2.5 hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). Oral examination for borderline candidates.

Resit: One 2.5 hour examination (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). Oral examination for borderline candidates.

Formative Assessment

- PRS-based revision sessions allow students to practice for MCQ tests and receive feedback on their performance.
- PRS-based MCQ in lectures/practicals.
- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.
- Problem-solving sessions on data handling in workshops.

Feedback

- Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Students are given general feedback on performance during PRS revision sessions.
- Students receive on-line feedback on completion of the tests.
- PRS MCQ assessment answers discussed at the end of assessment session. Immediate feedback on practice questions available on MyAberdeen.
- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr B Mueller

Pre-requisites

BC 3503, MB 3006, GN 3502.

Co-requisites

MB 4505, MB 4050.

Overview

Genetics Option 1 - Human Genetics. The student will be able to understand the importance played by the ready availability of genome sequence data from human populations and individuals throughout the world in the field of human genetics. Examples range from disease susceptibility through to the features that distinguish us from apes. The student will be able to understand the forces, both directed and random, that shape the formation and reformation of genomes, and the role of stem cells in research and medicine.

In Biochemistry Option 2 - Biochemistry of Human Diseases, biochemical processes that open the ways to a rational design of methods for preventing and treating illness will be explored. Two important human diseases are explored: cancer, the second highest cause of death in the UK, and prion diseases, a group of rare diseases that have an interesting biochemical basis. You will build on previous knowledge of molecular and cell biology to develop an understanding of the nature of these diseases.

Additional insight into further fundamental aspects of Molecular Biology will be achieved by independently researching and writing two essays.

Structure

This course consists of two modules with 15 hours of contact time in the form of lectures, tutorials and seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written paper (66.7%), in-course assessment consisting of two essays (2000 words) (33.3%).

Resit: 1 three-hour written paper (66.7%), previous in-course assessment (33.3%).

Formative Assessment

- Mock exam with personal tutor allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.
- Case-study exercise with feedback in preparation for summative assessments.
- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.
- Problem-solving sessions with personal tutor.

Feedback

- Essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Comments will be provided on the mock exam question.
- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

30

Course Coordinator

Dr B Muller

Pre-requisites

For Biochemistry, BC 3503, MB 3006 and GN 3502 or MC 3504; for Biotechnology, BC 3503, MB 3006 and GN 3502 or MC 3504; for Genetics, GN 3502, MB 3006, BC 3503; for Genetics (Immunology), GN 3502, IM 3501, MB 3006; strongly recommended; for Microbiology, MC 3504, MB 3006 and BC 3503 or IM 3501; for Molecular Microbiology, MC 3504, MB 3006, BC 3503; for Molecular Biology, BC 3503, MB 3006, GN 3502; for BMS Molecular Biology, MB 3006, BC 3503 and MC3504 or GN 3502 or BM 3501 with either PA 3802 or PY 3803.

Co-requisites

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

Overview

- Genome-wide approaches leading to understanding conserved processes in animal development and behaviour.
- Yeast as a paradigm for investigating genome function.
- Genome sequencing and the origin and evolution of human biology.

- Antibodies and protein engineering.
- Protein structure and folding.
- Structure/function analysis by molecular genetics.

- Transcriptional, post-transcriptional and translational control in eukaryotes.
- Gene expression control mechanisms in prokaryotes.

- Establishment and maintenance of cell polarity in yeasts.
- Regulation of polarity during embryogenesis.
- Tissue development and pattern formation in whole body plans.

Structure

50 h of lectures, tutorials and seminars.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written paper (80%); in-course assessment (20%) consisting of one essay (2000 words).

Formative Assessment

- Mock exams with personal tutor allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.
- Practice exam questions on MyAberdeen.
- Problem-solving sessions with personal tutor.

Feedback

- Essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Comments will be provided on the mock exam question.
- Feedback on problem-based learning exercise.

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Professor K Docherty

Pre-requisites

BC 3503, GN 3502, MB 3006.

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 course co-ordinator.

Structure

Research project: 10 weeks with minimum of 6 hours per day, 4 days a week in laboratory.
Two research tutorials: 4 hours.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 2 two-hour examinations (2 elements each) and 1 four-hour examination (3 elements) (63.6%); in-course assessment (36.4%) consisting of: Laboratory work (1 element); Honours thesis (2 elements) (5,000 words) and Thesis defence (1 element).

Formative Assessment

- Practice oral presentations of research data.
- Mock exam allows students to practice for essay based exams and receive feedback on their performance.
- Practice exam essay allows students to write under exam conditions and receive feedback on their performance.
- Problem-solving sessions.

Feedback

- Practical reports and essays will be marked with written comments.
- Problem solving questions will be discussed during a lecture/feedback session.
- Tutorial sessions will provide feedback on course content.
- Written comments will be provided on the mock exam question.