National Commission for Academic Accreditation & Assessment
Course Specification
Institution
Salman Bin Abdulaziz University
College/Department College of Applied Medical Sciences
( Alkharj branch)
Department of Medical Laboratory Science
A Course Identification and General Information
1. Course title and code: Gene technology and molecular techniques/ MLAB 475
2. Credit hours: 3 (2 + 1) hours/week
3. Program(s) in which the course is offered.
(If general elective available in many programs indicate this rather than list programs)
Medical Laboratory Science
4. Name of faculty member responsible for the course
Lecturer: Ghaneema Yousef AL-ghuwainem
5. Level/year at which this course is offered: Level 7
6. Pre-requisites for this course (if any) : None
7. Co-requisites for this course (if any) : None
8. Location if not on main campus
Female campus
1
B Objectives
1. Summary of the main learning outcomes for students enrolled in the course.
At the end of this course the students should be able to :
 replication and protein synthesis and gene expression
 Identify the main types of mutation and their effects on the body mechanism.
 Understand the basic knowledge of the restriction enzymes
 Understand the essential knowledge and information about various molecular biology
techniques such as purification of nucleic acids, restriction enzymes, cloning of DNA
fragments, DNA &RNA labelling, probes, analysis of DNA & RNA by electrophoresis,
and hybridization.
 Learn advanced techniques used in molecular biology such as polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) and DNA Sequencing and their relation to diagnosis.
 Instructed in the theory a basic concepts of gene technology as bacterial transformation,
vectors and plasmid, host cell types, Alternative methods for gene delivery .
Understand the applications and values of these techniques in the investigation of
genetic diseases-as well as histocompatibility testing in transplantation and bone
marrow engraft-will be emphasized.
2. Briefly describe any plans for developing and improving the course that are being
implemented. (eg increased use of IT or web based reference material, changes in
content as a result of new research in the field)
 Increase the usage of web-based reference material.
2
C. Course Description (Note: General description in the form to be used for the
Bulletin or Handbook should be attached)
1 Topics to be Covered
No of
Week
s
1
Conta
ct
hours
2
2
2
3
2
4
5
6
2
2
2
7
2
8
9
10
2
2
2
11
2
12
13
2
2
1-Nucleic acid extraction and purification
1
1
2- Nucleic acid extraction and purification
2
1
3- DNA extraction and purification from blood by Phenol/Chlorform
3
1
4- Polymerase Chain Reaction
4
1
5- Polymerase Chain Reaction
6- DNA Electrophoresis
7- DNA Electrophoresis
8- DNA Cloning
9 -Southern blotting
10- Northern & Western blotting
11- DNA Sequencing by Sanger method
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1
1
List of Topics
1-Introduction: DNA structure, DNA functions, , RNA structure, RNA
functions
2- DNA replication
3- What is a gene, Gene structure in prokaryotes, Gene structure in
eukaryotes, Proteins synthesis : Transcription
4- Genetic code & Proteins synthesis : Translation
5- Mutation types
6- Gene (DNA) cloning techniques , host cell types & Vectors transfer DNA
for Recombinant DNA Technology
7- Hybridization techniques: Nucleic acid hybridization, ‘In Situ’
Hybridization , Southern and Northern Blotting & Fluorescent in situ
hybridization (FISH)
8-. Restriction Enzymes (First Mid-Term exam)
9- DNA & RNA Electrophoresis
10- DNA Sequencing
12- Histocompatibility testing in transplantation & Bone marrow engraft
(Genetics role in transplantation)
13- Investigation of genetic diseases (Genetic Screening)
14-Revision
Laboratory Schedule
procedure
3
1
1
1
1
12- Revision
12
1
2 Course components (total contact hours per semester):
Lecture:
Tutorial:
Laboratory
28 hours
Researches
12 hours
Practical/Field
work/Internshi
p
Other:
N/A
N/A
3. Additional private study/learning hours expected for students per week. (This should
be an average :for the semester not a specific requirement in each week)
- From two to three hours per week.
4. Development of Learning Outcomes in Domains of Learning
For each of the domains of learning shown below indicate:

A brief summary of the knowledge or skill the course is intended to develop;

A description of the teaching strategies to be used in the course to develop that
knowledge or skill;

The methods of student assessment to be used in the course to evaluate learning
outcomes in the domain concerned.
a. Knowledge
(i) Description of the knowledge to be acquired
- By the end of the course, students should be able to:
 By the end of the course, students should be able to:


Understand molecular biology as a whole & use this knowledge in their work and
in the laboratory.
Describe various techniques used in molecular biology.

Mention the medical importance of molecular biology techniques and their role
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
in investigation of genetic diseases.
Define the principles of various molecular biology techniques, these principles
should allow them to establish a firm connection between this course and other
aspects of biology and give a foundation for future molecular biology courses
and/or a good appreciation of concepts needed to make reasoned choices in their
everyday lives
(ii) Teaching strategies to be used to develop that knowledge




Formal Lectures
Discussion sessions
Activities
Office hours
(iii) Methods of assessment of knowledge acquired

Written essay quizzes& exams to assess knowledge and intellectual skills

Class participation.
b. Cognitive Skills
(i)
Description of cognitive skills to be developed
By the end of the course, students should be able to:







Understand how molecular biology testing benefit human beings.
Know how performing the molecular biology testing
Choose the best laboratory investigation to verify the presence of certain
genetic diseases and interpret the clinical and laboratory findings to reach a
proper diagnosis.
Choose the most suitable method for genetic testing
Describe experimental design and difficulties with molecular biology -based
approaches.
Identify modern molecular biology testing.
Ability to think scientifically.
(ii) Teaching strategies to be used to develop these cognitive skills

Lectures & Group discussion.

Explanation and example given in lecture

Make full use of the library and internet resources to develop independent study
skills through assignments.
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
Practical (demonstration & re-demonstration)
(iii)
Methods of assessment of students cognitive skills

Class participation

Group discussion

Pre class questions

-Final examination
c. Interpersonal Skills and Responsibility
(i) Description of the interpersonal skills and capacity to carry responsibility to be
developed

At the end of this course student will be able to:

Identify procedures that ensure laboratory safety

Working in small groups to perform the techniques &solve problems.

Be able to communicate molecular
nondirective manner.

Be familiar with the aims, methods and practice of molecular
counseling.

Be able to communicate the concept of risk in a manner that can be understood by a
patient.

Be aware of major ethical issues in molecular biology techniques.

Be aware of the potential uses and misuses of molecular biology information.

Possess practical experience in many of the molecular biology techniques used in
basic and applied research laboratories.

Be proficient in performing
biology information in an understandable,
basic molecular
biology testing
biology techniques& understand
limitations with these techniques (technical, financial, and ethical).

Introduce to the theory behind each technique and describe common applications of
each methodology in molecular biology research.

Understand how the methods work. (e.g. electrophoresis, hybridization, PCR).

Identify human samples used for these techniques.
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(ii)
Teaching strategies to be used to develop these skills and abilities

Gathering similarities and differences between such methods or diseases

Find an appropiate image from the life and present the similarities between it and the
scientific materials
(iii)
Methods of assessment of students interpersonal skills and capacity to carry
responsibility

Using Internet access to search for specific information


Homework to summaraize each lecturer
Engage student in workgroup and let them participate with parteners
d. Communication, Information Technology and Numerical Skills
(i) Description of the skills to be developed in this domain.
At the end of this course student will be able to:

English communication between the students either orally or written

Use internet acess stratigies
(ii) Teaching strategies to be used to develop these skills




Each lecture begins with an introducing discussion by powerpoint
presentations and data show
English teaching in English to improve their lesining and speaking skills and
be familar with scientific terminology
Studeint involved in dicussion
Assignments essays
(iii) Methods of assessment of students numerical and communication skills

Homeworks done in English


Intrnet access for searching for information needed in the homework
Answer the questions needed in English
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e. Psychomotor Skills (if applicable)
(i) Description of the psychomotor skills to be developed and the level of performance
required
N/A
(ii) Teaching strategies to be used to develop these skills
N/A
(iii) Methods of assessment of students psychomotor skills
N/A
5. Schedule of Assessment Tasks for Students During the Semester
Assessme
nt
Assessment task (eg. essay, test, group project,
examination etc.)
Week due
1
Quiz
week
2
Search and presentation
3
1st Midterm
4
2nd Midterm
5
Final practical examination
6
Final Theoretical Examination
Proportion of
Final
Assessment
5%
5%
Seventh
week
Twelfth
week
10%
10%
30%
Final the
term
40%
D. Student Support
1. Arrangements for availability of teaching staff for individual student consultations and
academic advice. (include amount of time teaching staff are expected to be available each
week)


I can be contacted during my official hours.
I can be contacted by e-mail.
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E Learning Resources
1. Required Text(s)
2. Essential References
Text Books & Lectures.
3- Recommended Books and Reference Material (Journals, Reports, etc) (Attach List)
Textbooks:
1. Introduction to molecular genetics and genomics by Hearts.
2. Molecular biology of the gene fifth edition by James D. Watson (2003).
3. Molecular Biology, Robert Weaver, WBC McGraw Hill, NY. 2001, ISBN
00072345179.
4. Genetics principles and analysis by Paniel L. Hartl. Publisher: Gareth Stevens
Publishing; 4th edition (January 15, 1998) | ISBN: 076370489X.
Laboratory Manuals:
1. Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, J. Sambrook, P. MacCallum, D. Russell,
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY. (3rd Edition), 2001,
ISBN 0-87969-577-3.
2. PCR strategies 1995 Michael A. Innis, David H. Gelfand, and John J. Sninsky
(eds.).Academic Press, San Diego.
3. Gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids: a practical approach. 1990. D. Rickwood and B. D.
Hames. Oxford University Press, New York.
1- DNA cloning: a practical approach. 1995. D. M. Glover and B. D. Hames (eds.)
Oxford University Press, New York.
4-.Electronic Materials, Web Sites etc
N/A
5- Other learning material such as computer-based programs/CD, professional
standards/regulations
N/A
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F. Facilities Required
Indicate requirements for the course including size of classrooms and laboratories (ie
number of seats in classrooms and laboratories, extent of computer access etc.)
1. Accommodation (Lecture rooms, laboratories, etc.)
 Lecture room.
 Data show.
 Use of Board
2. Computing resources
N/A
3. Other resources (specify --eg. If specific laboratory equipment is required, list
requirements or attach list)
N/A
G Course Evaluation and Improvement Processes
1 Strategies for Obtaining Student Feedback on Effectiveness of Teaching
 Asking students about their difficulties every now and then during the semester.
 Analysis of students' performance on midterm tests and final.
 Students' comments during official hours.
 Comparison of students' scores on midterms and final exams.
2 Other Strategies for Evaluation of Teaching by the Instructor or by the Department
- I administer a questionnaire at the end of the semester.
3 Processes for Improvement of Teaching
 I record areas of difficulties.
 I give feedback for quizzes, midterms exams and provide individual help.
4. Processes for Verifying Standards of Student Achievement (eg. check marking by an
independent member teaching staff of a sample of student work, periodic exchange
and remarking of tests or a sample of assignments with staff at another institution)
N/A
5 Describe the planning arrangements for periodically reviewing course effectiveness
and planning for improvement.
- Compare syllabi and courses description with other universities that available on the
net.
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