NBIA09013U Principal Subject in Molecular Microbiology 3

Volume 2019/2020
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry

Content

Third of three modules of project work on Molecular Microbiology.
Students complete three modules of one subject-line by following three blocks.

The course deals with molecular aspects of microbial physiology and genetics. Topics include metabolism, enzymes, regulation, replication, genomics, evolution, and technical aspects. All microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, virus, and unicellular eukaryotes) may be included and we aim at covering research subjects of medical, industrial, and environmental importance. The purpose of the course is to be able to read, understand, and discuss current research literature on molecular microbiology. Classes are based on student presentation of papers selected by the students and the teachers together. Students in the audience are expected to have read the presented papers and prepared questions before class and actively participate in the discussion during class.

Learning Outcome

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.

Literature

See Absalon.

Principal Subject in Molecular Microbiology module 1 and module 2.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Project work
Only one of the principal subjects (Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Microbiology or Protein Chemistry) can be chosen. All modules (1, 2 and 3) must be within the same principal subject.
The written assignment is based on the knowledge and competences obtained in module 1 and 2.
Guidance is not scheduled. Students must contact their supervisor according to need.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 2
  • Guidance
  • 10
  • Project work
  • 194
  • Total
  • 206
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment, 3 weeks
Oral examination, 45 min. (no preparation)
The course is evaluated on basis of the 3-week take-home written assignment followed by an oral examination. The grade is based on an overall evaluation of the two parts of exam.
Aid
All aids allowed

Written assignment: All aids allowed.
Oral exam: No aids allowed.

 

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
Re-exam

The same as the ordinary exam.

A new written assignment within a new subject must be handed in three weeks before the reexamination.

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.