NPLB14013U Thematic Course: Experimental Molecular Biology

Volume 2014/2015
Education
Bacheloruddannelsen i biologi-bioteknologi
Content

The course offers experimental platforms to acquire new skills with regard to methods in molecular biology and biotechnology. The choice of topics ensures that the students learn standard techniques relevant to molecular biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry and physiology. Additionally, the course comprises an introduction to basic concepts of ethics and philosophy of science. Concepts and IT tools important for project management and poster presentation are presented to the students.

The students will gain experiences in a wide-range of both basic and advanced experimental methods in molecular biology, e.g. extraction of DNA and RNA, PCR, RT-PCR, real-time PCR, in-situ hybridization, cloning, primer and vector design, transformation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, cultivations of cell cultures, heterologous gene expression, protein purification, immuno blotting, histochemical analyses, enzyme kinetics, flow cell cytometry, bioimaging and bioinformatics. A wide-range of experimental organisms is employed including bacteria, yeast, fungi, plants and mammalian cells, with an emphasis that the methods and basic scientific principles taught have general relevance.

In parallel to experimental exercises, the students will be guided to acquire skills in critical examination of scientific data and interpretations through journal clubs and scientific writing through reports.

Learning Outcome

The course mainly aims at providing both practical experience and theoretical knowledge of basic principles and methods in experimental molecular biology research in combination with an introduction to general concepts of ethics and philosophy of science within the field.

 

After completing the course the students should be able to:

Knowledge:

  • Describe basic principles and analytical methods used in molecular biology research.
  • Explain how these principles and methods can be exploited in practical experiments aimed at reaching distinct research goals.
  • Understand the basic idea of how to plan and carry out project-oriented experimental work from problem definition to final report.
  • Describe basic theoretical aspects of scientific research methodology.
  • Describe selected epistemological problems and central ethical principles.

 

Skills:

  • Plan and carry out experiments using a number of general methods in molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology.
  • Plan and carry out defined experimental studies in the field of biotechnology including clear formulation of scientific questions and hypotheses.
  • Analyse, interpret and conclude from results acquired in the laboratory.
  • Search, assess and exploit results and knowledge from relevant scientific sources incl. cite correctly and generate a correct list of references.
  • Summarise and present scientific concepts and own research results to fellow scientists through written and oral communications.
  • Interpret and discuss research (incl. own experimental data) in the context of theoretical and ethical principles.
  • Use e.g IT tools in creative processes in the context of project management and presentation.

 

Competences:

  • Work independently as well as together with other students and supervisors to plan and carry out defined experimental studies.
  • Transfer practical experience and theoretical knowledge to implementation of new targeted analyses.
  • Reflect upon the empiric basis of research within the field of biotechnology and understand and contribute to broader ethical and societal discussions on the use of biotechnology.

Laboratory manuals including theoretical background for each practical exercise is handed out at the beginning of the course together with the research articles discussed in the journal clubs and a compendium for ethics and biotechnology. The literature changes from year to year dependent on the chosen topics.

 

Text books:

"Principles and techniques of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology" Wilson & Walker, Cambridge Univ. Press, 2010.

Note that the text books can change until one week before the course starts.

Participation in courses which provide basic knowledge in biochemistry and molecular genetics is required. This is a compulsory course for students enrolled in the Biology-Biotechnology programme.
The first part of the course (block 1) comprises lab exercises with written lab reports, lectures and journal clubs and the second part (block 2) comprises research projects carried out in groups in individual research groups.
In block 1 the students carry out different experiments as specified in the description of the exercises (typically in the afternoon from 12:30 to ca. 16:30 although this may vary). The results of the exercises are discussed in follow-up sessions. The exercises are complemented by lectures and journal clubs in the mornings (2-3 days per week) which provide the theoretical backgrounds for the experiments.

In block 2 the students carry out theme projects, i.e. small research projects, in different research groups across different departments. The 3-5 students in a group prepare a written project report describing the research area, the methods which have been used, the results obtained, discussion, and scientific conclusions. The research area and the experimental work are moreover discussed in the context of ethics and philosophy of science in two separate sections in the report. To strengthen the oral communication skills, the students prepare a poster and present the results of their research in a half-day workshop with poster presentations.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 16
  • Exam
  • 4,5
  • Lectures
  • 35
  • Practical exercises
  • 140
  • Preparation
  • 217
  • Project work
  • 407,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 4
  • Total
  • 824,0
Credit
30 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
Oral examination, 30 min.
Exam block 1: Written examination. Exam topics include theories and methods taught in practical exercises, journal club articles and philosophy of science curriculum.

Exam block 2: Oral examination. Project groups submit one report and generate one poster per project. Questions for the individual oral exam cover the content of the project reports as well as methods and concepts covered during block 1.

Written examination (block 1) and oral examination (block 2) each weighs 50% of the final grade. Both examinations must be passed.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Re-exam
Reexamination for Exam block 1 is oral examination, 30 min.
Reexamination for Exam block 2 is oral examination, 30 min.
Criteria for exam assesment

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