Northwest Iowa Community College
Sheldon, Iowa 51201
Course Outline/Syllabus
Course Number: BIO 265-A
Division/Discipline: Trade & Technology
Course Title: Molecular Biology Lecture
Credits:
3
Total Length in Hours: 50
Lab Hours:
Lecture hours: 50
Course Description:
Role played by different genes at molecular level and their function, different molecular cloning methods and tools
for studying different gene activities, mechanism of Replication, Transcription and Translation in prokaryotes and
eukaryotes, Post transcriptional events in eukaryotes, Chromatin structure and its effects on Transcription,
Recombination and Transposition etc
Course competencies/objectives:
1. Explain about Transmission and Molecular Genetics.
2. Discuss about the nature of genetic material and physical chemistry of Nucleic Acids.
3. Understand how nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) convey information.
4. Describe structure and function of proteins.
5. Discuss about various molecular cloning and separation techniques.
6. Explain mechanism of Replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
7. Explain mechanism of Transcription in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
8. Explain mechanism of Translation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
9. Explain mechanism of post-transcriptional events in eukaryotes.
10. Describe roles played by Chromatin in transcription, Ribosome and transfer RNA in translation
Text and Materials:
Molecular Biology, 4th edition (2008), Robert F. Weaver, McGraw-Hill publishers
Instructor/Division: Shirisha Yelamanchili, Trade &Technology
Date developed: 1-01-09
Course Number: BIO-265-A- Molecular Biology
Number of the
Chapter
1
2
3
4
6
7
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
23
Page 2
Name of the Chapter
A Brief History
The Molecular Nature of Genes
An Introduction to Gene Function
Molecular Cloning Methods
The Mechanism of Transcription in Bacteria
Operons: Fine Control of Bacterial Transcription
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases and their Promoters
General Transcription Factors in Eukaryotes
Transcription Activators in Eukaryotes
Chromatin Structure and its effects on Transcription
Messenger RNA Processing I: Splicing
Messenger RNA Processing II: Capping and Polyadenylation
Other RNA Processing Events
The Mechanism of Translation I: Initiation
The Mechanism of Translation II: Elongation and Termination
Ribosomes and Transfer RNA
DNA Replication I: Basic Mechanism and Enzymology
DNA Replication II: Detailed Mechanism
Transposition
Note: This outline is tentative and may be adjusted if needed. Office hours will be decided in the class.
Course Number: BIO-265-A – Molecular Biology
Page 3
Course Requirements/Grading Criteria
Student requirements:
1.
Exams
2.
Attendance and participation
3.
Completion of assigned readings and exercises
4.
Regular quizzes
5.
Student Presentations
Evaluation and Grading:
Exams may cover material from lecture, textbook, and handouts. In addition to the unit exams, there will be student
presentations.
Homework and due dates will be given in class. Assignments are due at the beginning of the lecture period on the
due date. Any assigned work which is turned in after a deadline will be subject to a 20% reduction in points for
each day late.
Students are expected to keep track of their progress in the course. Students should record the results of all quizzes,
homework assignments, and exams immediately after the instructor returns them.
Division of points:
Quiz – 100 points
Quarter term exam: 50 points
Mid term exam: 50 points
Class participation and attendance: 20 points
Student Presentation: 30 points
Homework: 100 points
Final exam: 50 points
Note: This division of points is tentative and may be adjusted if needed.
Final Grades: letter grades are assigned based on total points.
A=
B=
C=
D=
F=
90-100% of the total points
80-89% of the total points
70-79% of the total points
60-69% of the total points
< 60% of the total points
Make-up Exams/Quizzes (should have a strong reason to take a make-up exam)
No make up quizzes are given unless you have prior instructor approval and take the quiz in advance of your
absence. If you are going to miss an exam you must notify the instructor before the exam is given. Notification is
required on my office phone or in person. If you do not notify the instructor before the exam, you will not be
allowed to make up the exam. Student absent from an exam may be allowed to take a make-up exam at the
discretion of the instructor. Make-up exams are to be taken before the next scheduled class period to avoid a
deduction or a grade of 0%.
Academic Dishonesty:
If academic dishonesty is suspected on a test, quiz, or homework assignment, the following procedure will be used:
1.
2.
3.
The person or persons suspected will be confronted.
The person or persons suspected will be allowed to state their case.
If it is determined that academic dishonesty has taken place, a zero will
be given on the test, quiz, or homework assignment involved.
Course Number: BIO-265-A – Molecular Biology
Page 4
Attendance and Instructor Expectations:
Regular attendance is absolutely necessary for the successful completion of Molecular Biology. Students are
expected to attend every class. Students are also expected to be on time and ready to begin class at the scheduled
time. It is your responsibility to take notes in class in such a manner as to encompass not just what is on overheads,
Power Points, or written on the blackboard, but also what the instructor says. Exams are based on material
presented in class and material in the textbook. If absent, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain information
covered on that day of class. The instructor will not give the students a copy of instructor’s lecture notes.
Successful completion of Molecular Biology will require the student to play an active role in the learning process.
In addition to full attention and participation in the classroom, an intense commitment is expected during the hours
out of the classroom. If a student has a question they are encouraged to ask the instructor either during class or
outside of class. The instructor can be contacted by:
Telephone:
Email:
Office Room:
(712) 324-5061ext. 235
(800) 352-4907
syelamanchili@nwicc.edu
520 F
Electronic Grading Information:
The final grade will be determined as outlined in the course syllabus. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track
of how they are doing as they proceed through the course, based upon information in the syllabus. Any use of an
electronic grade book for NCC courses is limited to providing information on individual assignments, and at any
given time may NOT be a comprehensive assessment of your course grade.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with documented disabilities can pursue
accommodations as needed. To assure that accommodations and or modifications will be available when classes
start, students are encouraged to make request as soon as possible. Students who require some modifications of
seating, testing, or other course requirements should see the instructor or institution’s counselor.
Instructor/Division: Shirisha Yelamanchili, Trade &Technology
Course Number: BIO-265-A – Molecular Biology
Date developed: 1-01-09
Page 6
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