NBIA09007U Principal Subject in Molecular Cell Biology: Module 3

Volume 2015/2016
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry

Content

Third of 3 modules of project work on Molecular Cell Biology.
 

The course discusses topics relating to molecular cell biology, with a focus on mammalian organisms, with information from the best sources including model organisms. Keywords for the topics that have been discussed  are chromatin, tmRNA, the fos gene, tumor supressors, cytosine deaminase, ras activity, micro RNA, senescense, embryonic stem cells, ageing, RNAPolII termination and mismatch repair - some have recurrred, some have, so far, only been on once. Each block is devoted to one such topic, where journal articles that illustrate the development of our insight into the subject have been selected. Each of the articles is presented by a student, and the other students will prepare questions for the points in the papers they want discussed. Thus, a significant amount of time is used for an in-depth, student driven, discussion of the issues, including the methodologies used. Therefore, in addition to training and feedback of presentation skills, methods and knowledge pertaining to changing subjects are acquired by the students.

Learning Outcome

Students complete three modules of one subject-line by following three blocks.

The student will, with the completion of the modules, be capable of understanding the basis for specific conclusions in a field and will therefore understand the consequences of technical or experimental future developments when they occur.

Knowledge:
The student will have obtained knowledge of specific research areas (differing from module to module and from block to block) including different experimental and theoretical approaches.

Skills:
Based on original research literature, the student will be able to explain, evaluate and critically analyse the results, the methods used and the conclusions drawn and compare with other relevant literature. In addition, they will be able to present and explain the background literature for peers.

Competences:
The student must demonstrate an ability to critically understand, explain and discuss the relevance and potential impact of a certain given research area in a written form, understandable to fellow students. The paper, produced within a fixed time-period, must contain an introduction to the problem, a discussion of scientific context, an outline of (dogmatic) prevailing viewpoints, major conflicts, presentation of results, and a judgement of value (quality). The emphasis should be on demonstrating understanding of collection and interpretation of original experimental data in the designated research area and to critically evaluate their interpretation as presented in the papers selected.

The student will, with the completion of all three modules, be capable of understanding the basis for specific conclusions in a field and will therefore understand the consequences of technical or experimental future developments when they occur.

See Absalon.

The teaching is open to MSc-students of biochemistry. Other MSc-students may be admitted, but priority will be given to MSc-students in biochemistry. Only one of the principal subjects (Immunology, Molecular Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Microbiology or Protein Chemistry) can be chosen. All modules (1, 2 and 3) must be within the same principal subject. It is mandatory for MSc-students of biochemistry to follow one of the principal subjects.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Guidance
  • 1
  • Project work
  • 204
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, 3 uger
Oral examination
The course module 3 is evaluated on basis of the 3-week take-home written assignment followed by an oral examination. This is graded according to the 7 point grading scale by the teacher and an internal censor.
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

Reexam for module 3 consists of a 3-week assignment followed by an oral examination.

Criteria for exam assesment

In order to achieve the grade 12 the written paper, together with the oral presentation and defense, must, through its brief introduction, introduce the reader to the problem and the scientific context. The main content, through presentation of selected results, must be relevant for the subject posed, and clearly described. The description must show full understanding of the argumentation for the experiments undertaken, the methods used, their interpretation, as well as an (implicit or explicit) quality assessment; and demonstrate an understanding of the stage of knowledge, including its limits, of the selected subject matter.