Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module BIOL1081: CELLS, TISSUES AND SYSTEMS

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL1081: CELLS, TISSUES AND SYSTEMS

Type	Open	Level	1	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2009/10	Module Cap	240	Location	Durham

Prerequisites

'A' Level Biology OR Chemistry.

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

None.

Aims

To understand how cells from different organisms are organised, compartmentalised and why this is essential for there functioning and how this organisation is studied, particularly by microscopy.
To understand the principles of cytoskeletal structure and function.
To understand the principles of the cell cycle and its control.
To understand how cells are assembled into tissues and how this tissue organisation develops.
To have an introduction to immunology.

Content

Overview of cell structure, differences between different kingdoms, cell evolution.
Basic principles and practice of microscopy.
Principles of cell compartmentalisation. Description of structure, function and relationship between different organelles including the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, mitochondria, etc.. Trafficking between compartments.
Cytoskeleton structure, function and dynamics.
Basics principles of the cell cycle and its control.
Tissue organisation: cell junctions and adhesion; extracellular matrix; examples of tissue organisation.
Introduction to development.
Plant cell biology.
Introduction to immunology.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Understand how and why cells are compartmentalised, what these compartments are and what they do.
Understand the role of different elements of the cytoskeleton in relation to their cellular functions.
Understand the principles of the cell cycle.
Understand animal and plant tissue organisation and development.
Have an introductory understanding of basic principles of immunology.

Subject-specific Skills:

Understanding of information from lectures, textbooks and other sources on key areas of cell biology.
They should be familiar with basic experimental and safety procedures applicable to modern cell biology.

Key Skills:

Interpretation and understanding of information from relevant sources (lectures, textbooks, online sources).
Interpretation and evaluation of data.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Lectures deliver core knowledge.
Lab work allows students to utilise the knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
MCQs sample the broad base of knowledge.
Unseen exams measure knowledge and the application and interpretation of that knowledge. They also test key skills in ability to present arguments and communicate them effectively in a concise written form.
Data handling exercises assess data handling, numeracy, critical thinking and presentation skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	40	Weekly	1 hour	40
Practicals	4	Termly	3 hours	12	■
Tutorials	2	1 Mich/1 Epip	1 hour	2	■
Preparation & Reading				146
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 60%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Unseen formal examination100	2 hours	100%
Component: Continuous Assessment		Component Weighting: 40%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Practical report		37.5%
Data handling		37.5%
MCQ Departmental Test		25%

Formative Assessment:

Practical reports.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University