Module BIOL2441: Molecular Biology

Department: Biosciences

BIOL2441: Molecular Biology

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	2	20	Available in 2026/2027		Durham

Pre-requisites

Level 1 Genetics BIOL1171.

Corequisites

At least one other Level 2 Biological Sciences Module selected from the following list: Ecology BIOL2461, Behaviour BIOL2511, Evolution BIOL2451, Plant Physiology BIOL2571, Cell Signalling BIOL2501, Development BIOL2471, Cell Biology BIOL2481, Metabolism BIOL2491, Integrated Physiological Systems BIOL2521, Microbiology BIOL2431, Immune Systems BIOL2421, Biomolecules BIOL2591

Excluded Combinations

None

Aims

To develop the study of the central role of molecular biology in modern biosciences, taking student knowledge to an intermediate level.
To develop understanding of methods of gene analysis, gene manipulation and information retrieval to an intermediate level.
To provide the necessary background in topics in molecular biology to support full access to research literature.

Content

Recombinant DNA techniques.
Transcription and translation in eukaryotes.
Principles of gene regulation.
Bioinformatics

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Knowledge of intermediate level techniques for manipulating and cloning DNA.
Knowledge of the sequence of steps involved in gene expression in eukaryotes, including regulation of gene expression.
Knowledge of the multiple roles of RNA in the cell.
Knowledge of the structures of genomes, the sequence variation amongst individual and within species.
Knowledge of the sequence of steps involved in genetic screens.

Subject-specific Skills

Basic use of global sequence databases for information retrieval.
Intermediate level skills in recombinant DNA techniques.

Key Skills

Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
Communication skills, using writing skills and graphics, involved in practical reports.
IT skills, in information retrieval from on-line databases.
Team work.
Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

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

Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
Practicals and a computer class allow students to utilise subject-specific knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
Tutorials give enhancement of the student learning experience, supporting attainment of all learning outcomes.
Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
Practical exercises and the computer class are based on subject-specific knowledge and demonstrate subject-specific skills in understanding experimental work and data analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Lectures	14	Weekly	2 hours p/w	28
Practicals	2	1 per term	3 hours	6	Yes
Workshops	2	1 per term	1-2 hours	3	Yes
Tutorials	2	1 per term	1 hour	2
Preparation and Reading				160
Computer Classes	1	1 in Term 2	1 hour	1	Yes
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Continuous Assessment	100%	Presentation		50%
Continuous Assessment	100%	Report		50%

Formative Assessment

Formative assessments will be provided to develop the skills for each summative as appropriate.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.