Biology 354 Molecular Biology
Term III 2004
Beth De Stasio
Office 331 Science Hall
x7682 Elizabeth.A.Destasio@lawrence.edu
Welcome to Molecular Biology. The textbook for this course is Molecular Cell Biology
by Lodish et al. (1999). This book is on reserve at the library as are several related texts. You
may also wish to use "The Encyclopedia of Molecular Biology" from the reference section
(QH506.E53). We will not cover all the material in our text in this one course. Complementary
portions are used in Cell Physiology (Bio 241). We will also be reading a few papers from the
primary literature, distributed as needed.
Your learning in this course will be evaluated in both lecture and laboratory settings.
There will be one conventional midterm, one short take-home exam, and a non-cumulative final
exam. There will be two laboratory reports; both can be done with your lab partner. Our
laboratory time will include both bench work and a few discussions of primary literature. Some
lab work will be completed outside of the regularly scheduled lab time.
Because much of the material in this course is cumulative, regular, punctual attendance is
expected. Participation during discussion sessions can include asking questions for clarification
or further information, or answering questions asked by student leaders or the instructor.
Grades will be determined approximately as follows:
100 points
100 points
135 points
In-class exam I
Take-home exam II
In-class exam III (during finals)
30 points
50 points
50 points
35 points
Discussion Leadership
Lab Report I - Restriction Mapping Project
Lab Report II - Accuracy of Translation
Genomics lab
500 points total. Final grades will be determined roughly as follows: 90%-100% = A range; 8090% = B range; 70-80% = C range.
Exam and other due dates are indicated in the syllabus; conflicts may be resolved by
taking exams earlier than scheduled. Any work handed in beyond appointed deadlines will be
penalized 10% per day (about 1 letter grade). Work will not be accepted any more than 3 days
past a deadline without prior approval.
Biology 354
Molecular Biology Term III, 2004
DRAFT3/23/04
Week 1
Mar 31 Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
Apr 2
DNA Structure
Apr 4
DNA Modifications & Replication
LAB: Restriction Mapping Project I
Week 2
Apr 7
What is a Gene?
Apr 9
Transcription - Prokaryote
Apr 11
Prokaryotic Operons I
LAB: Restriction Mapping Project II
Discussion 1:
Week 3
Apr14
Prokaryotic Operons II
Apr 16
Translation I
Apr 18
Translation II
LAB: PCR & DNA Purification (NEW LAB)
Discussion 2:
Week 4
Mapping Project Due at start of lab time
Apr 21
Mutation & Repair
Apr 23
Protein Structure I
Apr 25
Protein Structure II
LAB: Cloning (NEW LAB)
DISCUSSION 3: DNA Repair & Cancer
Week 5
Apr 28
Eukaryotic Genomes
Apr 30
Eukaryotic Genomes, Transposons
May 2 Eukaryotic Chromatin Structure
LAB: Bioinformatics - NO LAB PREP NEEDED
DISCUSSION 4: Bioinformatics
Week 6
May 5
May 7
May 9
LAB:
READING ASSIGNMENTS
4th edition
4.1
1.4
228-231 & 208-214
9.1
346 & 4.3
10.1 & 10.2
405-407
4.4 & 4.5
8.1 241-242
3.1 & 94
3.2
9.2, 9.5, 9.6
9.3, 9.7
NO LAB PREP NEEDED
Biotechnology I
Biotechnology II
NO CLASS – READING PERIOD
EXAM I – Tuesday afternoon or arranged
Week 7
May 12
Forward Genetic Mapping
May 14
Transcription Class I & III
May 16
Transcription, Class II
LAB: Translational Accuracy
DISCUSSION 5: Biotechnology I
8.3, 8.4
10.3 & 397
11.2&11.5
Week 8
Translational Accuracy Report Due on Friday
May 19
Transcription Cascades
May 21
Reverse Genetics
May 23
Post-transcriptional Processing
LAB: Reporter Genes
DISCUSSION 6: Biotechnology II
10.4-.6
Week 9
Developmental Gene Expression
Splicing
Translational Control in Eukaryotes
Take Home Exam Due Friday
LAB: Western Blot I
DISCUSSION 7: mRNA localization
Week 10
NO CLASS – MEMORIAL DAY
Engineered Products
Student’s Choice
LAB: Western Blot II
DISCUSSION 8: Viral Molecular Biology
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday June 9th 8:30 am
11.2-11.3