Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module BIOL3231: MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY (LIT)

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences

BIOL3231: MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY (LIT)

Type Tied Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap None. Location Durham
Tied to C100
Tied to C101
Tied to C130
Tied to C132
Tied to C300
Tied to C301
Tied to C701
Tied to CC77
Tied to CFG0

Prerequisites

  • Cell Structure and Function (BIOL2211).

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To present an overview of the molecular and cellular physiology of the immune and sensory systems.
  • To conduct a supervised investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by laboratory experimentation, field work or literature search is important.

Content

  • Cell interactions, functions, and differentiation programs of the immune and selected sensory systems.
  • Project - A supervised investigation of an area within Biological Sciences where knowledge obtained by laboratory experimentation or database information retrieval and analysis is important.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • An appreciation of the working of the immune system in health and disease.
  • Have an appreciation of the major elements of the visual sensory system, with particular emphasis on the lens.
Subject-specific Skills:
Key Skills:
  • Extract, compile and review relevant scientific information from various sources and evaluate them critically.
  • Acquire, interpret and critically analyse experimental, clinical and field data and present results effectively.

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

  • Taught Component: Teaching and learning is primarily through lectures and a brief seminar series.
  • Additionally students will be expected to read the recommended literature which will develop interpretative and retrieval skills.
  • Knowledge and understanding will be assessed by means of a written examination.
  • Project Component: Teaching and learning in this component is primarily through a directed literature search.
  • Skills will be acquired through and through the searching, retrieval and presentation of relevant data.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 30 1 or 2 per week 1 hour 30
Tutorials
Seminars
Other (Project) 6 6 hours 36
Preparation and Reading 134
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Formal examination 2 hours 100%
Component: MCQ Component Weighting: 10%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
MCQ 100%
Component: Literature Search Report Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Literature Search Report 100%

Formative Assessment:


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