Objectives of this course
• An introductory cell biology
• Basic concepts: cell structure and
function
• Prepare student knowledge foundation
for understanding subsequent courses
• Molecular biology, advanced cell biology,
molecular genetics, physiology and…
Why to study cells?
• Cell: structural and functional unit of life
• Diversity: manifestation of variation built on a similar
operational principle of a cell
• Knowledge about one type of a cell can be
extrapolated to other types
• Basic molecular knowledge of how cells work lead to
better understanding,
– Human diseases, eg cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes etc
– Develop therapeutics and preventative measures
Topics to be covered
• Chemical composition of cells
• Macromoleculs and macromolecular machinery
• Cell structure and function
– Cell membrane
– Cytoskeleton
– Protein sorting and transport
– structures outside plasma membrane and
extracellular matrix
• Cell to cell interconnectivity and communication
• Genetic information flow and regulation
Who are teaching?
• What are we going to cover?
– Dr. R. Nokhbeh
• Part I: January 5th-March 3rd
• cell chemistry, types of cells (prokaryotic and eukaryotic)
cell membrane, cytoskeleton, mitochondria, the
extracellular matrix and cell signalling
– Dr. D. Johnson
• Weeks 8 – 13 (following Study Break)
• DNA and RNA structure and function, structure of
DNA/protein in the cell, DNA replication, transcription and
translation in eucaryotes and procaryotes, protein sorting,
cell cycle and cell cycle control
Who are teaching?
Dr Fabian Avaron: coordinates the labs
• Lab website:
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http://web5.uottawa.ca/avaron/BIO1140/index.php?selecti
on=bio1140_home.php
Location: 3rd floor of BSC
Schedule for sections posted; rules and regulation alike
Labs start Monday Jan 11th for the earliest section
Lab coats and safety goggles mandatory
Lab manual: on lab website; can be purshased from MCD004
Contact info: Dr. Fabien Avaron (favaro2@uOttawa.ca)
Contact Dr Avaron for any lab related questions
• TAs: Jonathan and Ryan will conduct in-class tutorials
Lecture Schedule and Classroom
• Attend the lectures regularly
• Be in the class at least 5 minutes before lecture
begins
• Lecture schedule and classrooms:
Bio1140
Mon
08:30-10:00
B (MRN)
Tue
Wed
10:00-11:30
11:30-13:00
13:00-14:30
Thur
Fri
B (MRN)
A (MRN) C (MNT203)
C (MNT203)
A (MRN)
Textbooks and companion study tools
1. Biology: Exploring the Diversity of Life
Authors: Russell, Wolf, Hertz, Starr, Fenton, Addy,
Maxwell, Haffie and Davey
First edition 2010, by Nelson Education Ltd.
Supplementary textbook:
2. The Cell: A Molecular Approach, Fifth Edition
by Geoffrey M. Cooper; Robert E. Hausman
Publisher: Sinauer Associates
Copyright Year: 2009
Textbooks and Companion study tools
1. Web CT site
– Access through the Virtual Campus
– Announcements, course material, email
– Discussion groups: moderated by TAs, questions and answers
2. HTML Course website:
– Connect directly: Bookmark the URL below
http://www.courseweb.uottawa.ca/BIO3124/Cell%20Biology%20web/
cellbio%20home.htm
– Use Mozilla Firefox (Free download)
– Read through “for students” for what you need to do
– Browse through all pages to get familiar
– Content: Practice quizzes, crossword puzzles, lecture material,
mystery, literature and study assignments, movies, lectures from
other universities eg. MIT, UC at Berkley and Harvard
– Home pages for instructors, contact information & office hours etc
– Marks and sample exam questions
Evaluation
• Midterm I (15%):
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Multiple choice, true or false, fill-in blank (12%)
On-line quiz (2%), Mystery question (1%)
See website for exam time and location
Follow the instructions and rules on the website; a link on
“schedule” page will be activated 1-2 weeks before exam
• Midterm II (15%):
– On-line medium-sized essay questions
• Final exam (45%):
• Covers whole course, with each instructor responsible for half
• Format: Multiple choice, true or false (with justification), short
answer, medium-sized essay questions
• Laboratory (25% )
Academic excuses
Students are required to write their exams
Excuses?
Strict rules of university will be followed
illness: Medical certificate required within 7 days for
missed midterms or mark = 0.
• No make-up midterms
• for a justified absence, weighting of final exam will be
adjusted
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