Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/index.ht
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Molecular Biology & Recombinant DNA Techniques
Module code
3131
Module Organiser
Dr Martin C. Taylor
Contact email
Martin.Taylor@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ).
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body.
Keywords
Molecular biology; recombinant DNA; PCR; cloning sequencing.
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
To provide a basic understanding and practical experience of a range of
reagents and methods that are the essential tools of the molecular biologist.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of this module, students should be able to:



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Target audience
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles underpinning
important techniques in molecular biology;
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some applications of these
techniques in laboratory research on infectious diseases;
Demonstrate the ability to carry out laboratory experiments in molecular
biology and bioinformatic analyses, and interpret the results;
Demonstrate the ability to read, comprehend and assess the relevant
scientific literature.
This module is intended for all students who require theoretical knowledge
and practical experience of standard molecular biology techniques.
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CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):

PCR;

DNA cloning;

Bacterial transformation;

Plasmid DNA purification;

Restriction digestion analysis of DNA;

DNA sequencing;

Sequence analysis.
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Lecture notes and journal article examples will be provided. Students should
have access to a basic molecular biology text such as “Gene cloning and DNA
analysis” by T.A. Brown (Blackwell).
Teaching and learning
methods
A range of teaching methods will be used including laboratory practicals,
formal lectures and group work. Approximately 40% of contact time is
devoted to practicals, 20% to lectures, and the remainder to group work and
revision sessions. Much of the practical and lecture teaching will be done by the
Module Organiser to ensure coherence. There also will be several full and half
days set aside for private study.
Assessment details
There will be two components to the assessment:
1. Practical results (including bioinformatic analyses) will be written up
and assessed to evaluate understanding of the practical portion.
2. A short answer written test will be held at the end of the module to
evaluate literature comprehension.
The grades for each component will be equally weighted and combined to give
an overall GPA; written feedback is given on both. Self assessment questions
also accompany some lectures with the answers being discussed in the
following class.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the tasks will be an exam based on lecture content from the module and a
journal article comprehension exam
Assessment dates
Assessments will take place on a date TBC
For students who are required to re-sit, or who are granted a deferral or new
attempt, the next assessment date/deadline will be the standard Schoolrecommended date in mid/late September 2015.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
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TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Monday morning and Wednesday lunchtime.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Monday 11 January 2016 and finish on
Wednesday 10 February 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot C1.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The notional learning time for the module totals 150 hours, consisting of:

Contact time ≈ 35 hours

Directed self-study ≈ 10 hours

Self-directed learning ≈ 51.5 hours

Assessment, review and revision ≈ 53.5 hours.
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
It is expected that all students will have obtained a basic understanding of
nucleic acids, gene expression and protein synthesis from having completed the
formative assessment for the term 1 module Molecular Biology (3333), which
is a prerequisite. This module’s content is coordinated with ‘Advanced Training
in Molecular Biology’ (3158).
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically [20-30] per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students [particularly those registered
for specific courses or who have taken specific prior modules, where
applicable] and LSHTM research degree students. Other applicants meeting the
entry criteria will usually be offered a place in the order applications are
received, until any cap on numbers is reached. Applicants may be placed on a
waiting list and given priority the next time the module is run.
Full Registration (full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is
required for this module, although the assessment for research degrees
students is optional.
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Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:

For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, early application is recommended. All
applications should be submitted by, at the latest, 8 weeks prior to the start
of the module. Formal registration will take place on the morning of the
first day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16
Last revised 22 May 2015 by Martin Taylor
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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