Division: MSAH
Subject Code: BTC
Course #: 235
Course Title: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FORM 335
Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years to qualify for state
reimbursement.
1.
Digital Description [§335.2]:
Credit hours:
Lecture hours:
Lab hours:
2.
4
3
2
Catalog Description [§335.2]:
A survey of principles in biotechnological applications of molecular and cell
biology. Topics include transcription, translation, PCR, spectrophotometer,
protein expression, prokaryotic and eukaryotic gene expression, antibodies,
and chromatography. The laboratory gives the students exposure to
recombinant DNA technology such as cloning techniques, restriction digests,
plasmid design and purification, electrophoresis, protein expression and
purification, and immunoassays.
Minimum Grade
Required
3.
Prerequisites: BTC 101, BTC 201, BIOL 221
C
Corequisites:
Other:
4.
Learning Outcomes [§335.2]
[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential knowledge and
skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
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demonstrate good laboratory practices (GLPS)
demonstrate an understanding of science of biotechnology and identify its product
domain
demonstrate the steps in producing and delivering a product made through recombinant
DNA technology
demonstrate the Central Dogma of molecular biology and its importance in genetic
engineering
demonstrate the fundamental steps in a recombinant DNA technology procedure and
give example of genetically engineered products
demonstrate the mechanism of action and use of restriction enzymes in biotechnology
research and recombinant protein production
demonstrate an understanding of techniques used to probe DNA for specific genes of
interest
demonstrate an understanding of the steps of bacterial transformation, transfection, and
transduction and various selection processes for identifying transformants
Division: MSAH
Subject Code: BTC
Course #: 235
Course Title: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES
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5.
demonstrate usefulness of plasmid preparations, how they are performed, and how
concentration and purity determined with a UV spectrophotometer
compare and contrast the methods for harvesting intracellular and extracellular proteins
define chromatography and distinguish between paper, thin-layer, and column
chromatography
Planned Sequence of Learning Activities [§335.2]
[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.]
Lecture
 All lectures are designed with the ultimate goal of helping students appreciate how
genetic information is expressed and controlled.
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
The instructor will present lectures based on the topic sequence with selected visual aids.
Written exams and quizzes will be used to test learning outcomes and assign grades.
Basic lecture topics:
1. Introduction to cells – describes the fundamental properties of living organisms
2. Cellular organization – emphasizes the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells
3. Central dogma of molecular biology – describes the flow of genetic information inside
cells
4. The cell’s machinery – describes the cellular machines and the processes they control
inside cells to express genetic information
5. Methods for manipulating the flow of genetic information – discusses modern techniques
used by industrial labs to bring recombinant DNA products to market
6. Overview of genetic engineering, isolation and purification of DNA
7. Probing DNA for genes, using Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) to locate genes of
interest, application of RFLP analysis
8. Transformation of cells, after transformation, scale –up process, retrieving plasmids after
transformation
9. Harvesting protein products: use of chromatography (paper, thin-layer, and column) to
study and separation of molecules
Laboratory
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Students will attend a laboratory in which laboratory equipment will be utilized to present the
molecular biology topics presented in lecture.
Lab exercises are designed to introduce students to the many concepts and laboratory
skills needed to work in the field of biotechnology.
(Each lab activity is anticipated to require 2 weeks of laboratory time.)
Activities:
1. Basic molecular biology calculations & solution preparation
2. Isolation of plasmid DNA
3. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
4. Restriction digestions & ligations
5. Bacterial transformation
Division: MSAH
Subject Code: BTC
Course #: 235
Course Title: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES
6. Identification of recombinant clones
7. Chromatography
6.
List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning Materials
(code each item based on instructional use: C-lecture/lab, A-lecture, B-lab, Iinternet, and V-videocourse) [§335.2] [These resources must be easily accessible to
students.]
(Lecture) Molecular Biology of the Cell (4th Edition), by Alberts, Johnson,
Lewis, Raff, Roberts & Walter
(Laboratory) Instruction material will be provided by the instructor.
7.
Prepared by Faculty Member: Edward Omolo
8.
Approved by Dean:
Linda Myers
Date: 10.17.2006
Date: 1/17/07
This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335,
subchapters A / B.
This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the
policies, standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is
consistent with the college mission.
If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar
courses generally accepted for transfer to accredited four-year colleges and
universities.
Whether transfer or career, this course is articulated with other courses so
that it is an elective or a requirement of one of the college programs and it
does not require students to have more than 30 credit hours of post
secondary study prior to enrolling in the program.
9.
VP, Academic Affairs and Enrollment Management: R Young
Date: 3/19/07
10.
Original Date of course approval by the college:
11.
Date(s) of subsequent reviews:
12/1/04