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