NBIK13005U Experimental Higher Model Organisms

Volume 2017/2018
Education

MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Biochemistry

MSc Programme in Biology with a minor subject

Content

Theoretical exercises, colloquia and lectures will give a critical review of the use of genetic model systems and strategies used in basic and applied research. Laboratory exercises will include a range of techniques such as

1) Vector construction and genome, transcriptome and/or proteome database mining

2) Genomic manipulations via homologous recombination, RNA interference and random insertional mutagenesis,

3) Stable transformation and transient transfection,

4) Transgenic analyses with marker enzymes and/or tagged proteins.

The techniques will be applied to cells and organisms such as vertebrate cell lines, zebrafish D. rerio, worm C. elegans, fruit fly D. melanogaster, moss P. patens and/or flowering plant A. thaliana.

Learning Outcome

By the end of the course, students are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and competences:

Knowledge of the research fields with model organisms included in the curriculum covered by assigned reading, lectures, seminar presentations and written reports.

Skills to:

  • Explain developments in the fields presented by the teachers
  • Describe in detail the methodologies used in these fields
  • Explain and exemplify the technologies used in these fields
  • Present assigned original research papers
  • Submit assigned written papers
  • Be able to give a detailed description of and evaluate the exercises presented during the course


Competences to:

  • Discuss and criticize research articles orally and in writing
  • Interpret different types of experimental data introduced in the course
  • Discuss interdisciplinary aspects of the research covered in the course
  • Propose experiments to test models and questions raised in research on model organisms.

See Absalon

General Molecular Biology/Almen molekylærbiologi or an equivalent course
Introduction lessons in theoretical backgrounds and practical classes including summaries and discussions of reports.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 21
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 85
  • Project work
  • 51
  • Theory exercises
  • 21
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Active participation in all exercises, 1-2 oral presentations of published original research papers, 6-8 written reports. The grade will be given based on an overall evaluation.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

Re-examination requires an individual, oral presentation of:

1) One of the research articles presented by students during the foregoing course
2) One of the bioinformatics problems assigned to students during the foregoing course
3) One of the prosed experiment reports assigned to students during the foregoing course

The oral presentation is 1 hour (no aids allowed). The preparation time is set for a week (all aids allowed).

 

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning outcome.