Approved Module Information for PH1402, 2014/5
Module Title/Name: Cell and Molecular Biology
Module Code: PH1402
School: Life and Health Sciences
Module Type: Standard Module
New Module? No
Module Credits: 10
Module Management Information
Module Leader Name
Email Address
Telephone Number
Office
Andrew Devitt
devitta1@aston.ac.uk
4165
MB460a
Additional Module Tutor(s):
Ann Vernallis. Anna V Hine. Stephane Gross. Thomas Wassmer.
Level Description:
Cert He/Level 4 (Enhanced Honours)
Programmes in which available:
BSc/MPharm Pharmacy.
Available to Exchange Students?
Not Specified
Module Learning Information
Module Aims:
To provide a basic introduction to the nature, properties, structure and function of cells and the basic principles of molecular
biology.
Module Learning Outcomes:
This is an important module that will provide crucial foundation information required for many additional modules later in the
student's programme of study. It will provide a basic introduction to the nature, properties, structure, function and replication of
cells and genes whilst providing an overview of how we exploit this information for our own gain through, for example, genetic
engineering.
Knowledge and Understanding
Cell Biology
? What are cells, what do they contain and how do prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells differ?
? What is the structure of the cell and how do they interconnect?
? How do cells communicate, both within and between themselves?
? How do cells multiply?
? What happens when cell division goes wrong?
Molecular Biology
? What is DNA?
? What are genes? How do they work? Why bother with RNA intermediates?
? DNA instructs, protein does the work. Why? How?
? DNA - the biological computer. Why is it so good for storing information?
? Interconnecting with cell biology: what happens when cell division goes wrong?
? How can we use this knowledge?
Intellectual Skills
? Appreciation of the inter-relationship between different subjects.
? The relationship between molecular biology and cell biology.
Transferable Skills
? Note-taking in lectures.
? Responsibility for self-study using directed reading.
? Problem-solving.
Indicative Module Content:
This is an important module that will provide crucial foundation information required for many additional modules later in the
student's programme of study. It will provide a basic introduction to the nature, properties, structure, function and replication of
cells and genes whilst providing an overview of how we exploit this information for our own gain through, for example, genetic
engineering.
An outline of the module content is as follows:
The origin and basic structure of cells
Molecular Components of cells
? Nucleic acids ? structure, function and replication
? Proteins & glycoproteins - structure, function and synthesis
? Cell receptors, the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix,
Cellular organisation & control
? Organelles ? structure, function and inter-relationship
? Cell birth ? cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis
? Cell death
? Cancer ? improper regulation of cell birth & survival
? Proteins & glycoproteins - structure, function and synthesis
? Membranes, transport and signalling
Analysis & Application of Molecular and Cell Biology
? Analytical and experimental techniques
? Basic Molecular Biology ? how we manipulate molecules for our gain
? Basic Genetic Engineering ? production of recombinant proteins; why we need genetic engineering, applications of genetic
Links to Research:
This series of lectures is delivered by academic staff who are experts in the field of the material being taught. Academic research
links are highlighted within lectures.
Module Delivery
Methods of Delivery & Learning Hours (by each method):
Method of Delivery
Learning Hours
Lecture:
28 hours
Independent Study:
60 hours
Online Activity:
Formative Assessment:
Total Learning Hours:
2 hours
10 hours
100 hours
Learning & Teaching Rationale:
This module is based around a series of lectures. For each lecture additional reading is strongly encouraged and indicative reading
is suggested by the teaching staff. Online discussion boards are provided where students can provide mutual support. These are
also monitored by teaching staff who will provide insight as required.
The lectures are supported by additional reading. However they are also supported by weekly tests that further encourage
additional study and provide formative feedback to the students.
Module Assessment
Methods of Assessment & associated weighting (including approaches to formative assessment as well as summative):
Assessment Type
December/January
Exam
Details
Blackboard Quiz
Details
Category
Closed
Book
Duration/
Submission
Date
Common
Modules/
Exempt
from
Anonymous
Marking
Details
Assessment
Weight
1:00hrs
No but
must be sat
at the same
time as
BY1CB1 as
some
questions
will be
common.
70%
30 MCQ questions that will assess material from across the
module breadth.
Open
Book
1:00hrs
-
30%
This Is A Series Of Weekly Tests That Together Account For
30% Of The Module. Each One Is Open Book And Can Be
Taken Twice With The Final Mark Being The Mark That Is
Counted. It Does Not Have A Time Limit But Ought To Take
Upto 1 Hour.
Total:
100%
Method of Submission:
Both Hard Copy and Electronic Copy
Assessment Rationale:
Throughout the taught course there will be tests released via BlackBoard. These tests cover the taught material from that week
and are open for 1 week. They provide formative feedback (as scores as released immediately after a test is submitted) as they
allow student reflection.
Each test can be taken up to a maximum of two times with the final attempt score being counted.
The final exam is designed to assess across the whole breadth of the module material. This is done by a 1 hour exam using MCQ.
Students must pass BOTH the quiz and exam elements with a mark of 40%.
Feedback Rationale:
We are committed to providing you with feedback to enhance your learning by enabling you to identify your strengths and
weaknesses to improve your future performance. This will be provided in the form of test marks released immediately, at the point
at which you submit your test. This permits you to retake the test following additional study. For Cell Biology tests (MCQs), you will
receive the correct answers to the tests as soon as the test is no longer available to you take. For Molecular Biology tests, which
are mostly non-MCQ, answers are not released, on Blackboard, but you are allowed to take the tests as many times as you wish.
This is to help you to do the background reading/research necessary to correct any gaps and/or errors in understanding. Answers
to previous tests will be reviewed within lectures, once weekly