Standardized Syllabus for the College of Engineering
BME 4311 Molecular Biomedical Engineering.
1. Catalog Description
(3 credits)
An introductory course in the fundamentals of Molecular Biology for Biomedical
Engineers. This course is designed for Junior or Senior biomedical engineering
students where they will learn the nomenclature, and current state of knowledge of
the eukaryotic cell and it’s related structures. Topics covered in this course: Protein
structure and function, Enzymes. The structure and nature of DNA, cellular structure
and function of various cellular organelles. In addition they will learn energy and the
function of mitochondria and chloroplast, cellular communication, and the function of
the extracellular matrix.
2. Pre-requisites
BSC 2010, PCB 3XXX Cell & Systems Physiology, CHM 3217
3. Course Objectives
To introduce students to molecular biology within a quantitative context.
 Transduction, transmission, storage and retrieval of biological
information.
 Structure of DNA, RNA and proteins.
 Gene regulation, simple genetic circuits.
 Molecular interactions.
 Biomolecular motors.
 Metabolic and signal transduction networks.
4. Contribution of course to meeting the professional component (ABET only)
5. Relationship of course to program outcomes (ABET only)
6. Instructor - TBA
a. Office location
b. Telephone
c. E-mail address
d. Web site
e. Office hours
7. Teaching Assistant - TBA
a. Office location
b. Telephone
c. E-mail address
d. Office hours
8. Meeting Times
Course meets 3 times per week, schedule TBA
9. Class/laboratory schedule
Course meets 3 50 minute periods per week
10. Meeting Location – TBA
11. Material and Supply Fees – None
12. Textbooks and Software Required
Molecular Biology of the Cell
Alberts et. al.
Garland Science 5th edition.
ISBN 0815332181
13. Recommended Reading
(see 12 above)
14. Course Outline
Week 1 Cell Chemistry and Biosynthesis
Week 2 Proteins Shapes, structures and function.
Week 3 Enzyme function
Week 4 DNA chromosomes and genomes
Week 5 Membrane Structure
Week 6 Membrane Transport and Small Molecules
Week 7 Intracellular Compartments and Protein Sorting
Week 8 Intacellular Vesicular Traffic
Week 9 Energy Conversion: Mitochondria
Week 10 Mechanism of Cell Communication
Week 11 Cytoskeleton
Week 12 Cell Cycle
Week 13 Apoptosis
Week 14 Biomolecular Motors
Week 15 Gene Regulation
15. Attendance and Expectations
Class participation is required and part of the final grade
16. Grading
Class participation 5%, quizzes 10% homework 15% midterm 35% final exam 35%.
17. Grading Scale
A
AB+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
E
> 90
80-83
77-79
74-76
70-73
67-69
64-66
60-63
57-59
< 56
87-89
84-86
18. Make-up Exam Policy
Midterm and Final Exam can be made up in extreme circumstances and if the
instructor is notified before the start of the exam.
19. Honesty Policy
All students admitted to the University of Florida have signed a statement of
academic honesty committing themselves to be honest in all academic work and
understanding that failure to comply with this commitment will result in disciplinary
action. This statement is a reminder to uphold your obligation as a UF student and to
be honest in all work submitted and exams taken in this course and all others.
20. Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
Students Requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of
Students Office. That office will provide the student with documentation that he/she
must provide to the course instructor when requesting accommodation.
21. UF Counseling Services
Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking
clear career and academic goals. The resources include:
- University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, Personal and
Career Counseling.
- SHCC mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, Personal and
Counseling.
- Center for Sexual Assault/Abuse Recovery and Education (CARE), Student
Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual assault counseling.
- Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance
and counseling.
22. Software Use
All faculty, staff and student of the University are required and expected to obey the
laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to
monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such
violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be
taken as appropriate. We, the members of the University of Florida community,
pledge to uphold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and
integrity.