Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module BIOL2201: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Department: BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

BIOL2201: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology (BIOL1072).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To promote an appreciation of how organisms organise and regulate gene expression with particular emphasis on how they develop and respond to environmental changes.

Content

  • Overview of regulation of gene expression.
  • Models of transcriptional control in prokaryotes.
  • Transcriptional control in Eukaroytes.
  • DNA rearrangements and transcriptional control.
  • Post-transcriptional control mechanisms.
  • Chromatin structure and gene expression.
  • Chromatin organization in higher eukaryotes.
  • Chromatin organization and gene expression.
  • Transgenesis I - Introducing foreign genes to study expression.
  • Transgenesis II - Chromatin organization and transgene expression.
  • Transgenesis III - specialised vectors for gene identification.
  • Evolution of the genome.
  • Transposable elements and mutation.
  • DNA replication.
  • Genetic engineering, overview, enzymology of cloning technology, cDNA cloning, clone selection, genomic cloning, specialised strategies, measuring gene expression, controlling gene expression.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module each student should be able to: Demonstrate how different organisms regulate gene expression.
  • Appreciate the different strategies used by simple and complex organisms to regulate gene expression during development or in response to environmental change.
  • Understand the experimental procedures used to investigate gene expression.
Subject-specific Skills:
Key Skills:
  • Extract, compile and review relevant scientific information from various sources and evaluate them critically.
  • Interpret and critically analyse sample experimental data and present the results effectively.

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

  • Teaching and Learning in this component is primarily through the means of lectures.
  • Skills will be acquired through the manipulation and presentation of data.
  • Knowledge will be formatively assessed through the use of MCQs and summatively by a written examination.
  • Interpretation of data will be assessed by means of an unseen data handling paper.
  • Understanding will be assessed by means of a written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 45 2 per week 1 hour 45
Tutorials 1 1 hour 1
Workshop 1 2 hours 2
Preparation and Reading 152
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
two question, formal examination 2 hours 100%
Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
data handling exercise 1 50%
data handling exercise 2 50%

Formative Assessment:

MCQs to assess knowledge.

■ 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