NBIK15010U Epigenetics and Cell Differentiation
MSc Programme in Biochemistry
MSc Programme in Biology
MSc Programme in Biology with a minor subject
MSc Programme in Molecular Biomedicine
The course does not use a textbook, but rather a selection of articles from the primary literature. Three articles are prepared each week and discussed in groups of ~16 students supervised by one teacher in three-hour literature sessions. An introduction to each session is provided during the week preceding the discussion in the form of a lecture. The students prepare for the discussion at home ahead of time by reading the articles and attempting to answer a list of questions provided with each article. Research seminars related to the literature topics are given by teachers in the course and guest speakers. Laboratory exercises help understand techniques and concepts encountered in the primary literature. These exercises are designed as experiments rather than demonstrations.
Knowledge:
- Variations in gene expression profiles during cellular differentiation
- Histone modifications, chromatin structure, and epigenetic regulation of gene expression
- RNAi: discovery, mechanisms, biological functions
- Roles of micro-RNAs in gene regulation and embryonic development
- Mechanisms of asymmetric cell division
Skills:
The primary goals of this course are
- to provide the students with the tools necessary to a critical understanding and evaluation of the primary scientific literature related to the topic of the course;
- to consolidate their understanding of the scientific method; and
- to stress the importance of model systems in modern Biology.
These goals are achieved by an integrated approach combining
laboratory exercises and discussions of the primary literature.
Competences:
By the end of the course, the students should be able to:
- discuss, put into perspective, and criticize articles covered in the course.
- use their acquired skills and knowledge to discuss, put into perspective, and criticize articles not covered in the course, bearing on topics related to those covered in the course.
- present the methods used in the articles covered in the course.
- report and put into perspective results obtained in the laboratory exercises.
- conceive experiments related to the laboratory exercises or related to experiments presented in articles covered in the course.
See Absalon.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 12
- Preparation
- 112
- Theory exercises
- 18
- Practical exercises
- 30
- Project work
- 30
- Exam
- 4
- Total
- 206
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written examination, 4 hours under invigilationWritten assignmentThe take-home exam weigths 1/3 of the final grade, and the 4-hour written open-book exam weigths 2/3 of the final grade.
The course has been selected for ITX exam on Peter Bangs Vej. - Aid
- All aids allowed
The University will make computers and power available to students taking written exams with invigilation in the University’s building on Peter Bangs Vej 36 (ITX). Students are therefore not permitted to bring their own computers, tablets or mobile phones. If textbooks and/or notes are permitted, according to the course description, these must be in paper format or on a USB flash drive.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- External censorship
- Re-exam
30 minutes oral examination with 30 minutes preparation time, no aids allowed.
Criteria for exam assesment
In order to obtain the grade 12 the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NBIK15010U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Schedule
- B
- Course capacity
- Minimum 12 students and maximum 48 students
- Course is also available as continuing and professional education
- Study board
- Study Board for the Biological Area
Contracting department
- Department of Biology
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Genevieve Thon (3-6a687143656c72316e7831676e)
Lecturers
Other members of the Department of Biology and guest speakers.