NBIK20003U Principal Subject in Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology

Volume 2020/2021
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry
 

Content

The course discusses topics relating to the molecular mechanisms that regulate cellular and immunological processes in humans and animals, with a focus on model organisms such as Drosophila and mammalian systems. Topics range from molecular mechanisms of cell functions to molecular aspects of innate and adaptive immune system processes. Each block is devoted to a series of topics, where journal articles that illustrate important literature and current development of new insight into the subject have been selected. During each teaching session, articles are presented by students, and the other students will prepare questions for the points in the papers they want discussed. A significant amount of time is used for an in-depth, student driven, discussion of articles and development of peer-reviewing skills. Therefore, in addition to training and feedback of presentation skills, students acquire training in critical thinking and writing of referee reports of research articles or manuscripts.

Learning Outcome

Through the peer-reviewing process, students will engage in critical thinking with other students and receive feedback on their arguments, training the ability to critically review research articles or manuscripts.  
 

Knowledge:
The student will have obtained knowledge of specific research areas including different experimental and theoretical approaches.
 

Skills:
Based on original research literature, the student will be able to explain, evaluate and critically analyze 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 can demonstrate a capacity to critically understand original scientific research papers dealing with subjects in molecular microbiology, including knowledge and understanding of the specific problem to be analyzed, the experimental set-up, the methods employed, the experimental results and the conclusions drawn from these, and discuss this understanding with fellow students under the guidance of the teacher.

In this phase the students shall primarily have learned to
1) appreciate the efforts of scientists without a priory opinion of the scientific subject of the paper
2) demonstrate the ability to ask questions of procedures and conclusions and
3) to individually prepare referee reports of research manuscripts and review referee reports prepared by fellow students.

The student will 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.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
Project work, Colloquia. Individual assignments include preparation of referee reports of research manuscripts and review in groups of referee reports prepared by fellow students.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 48
  • Preparation
  • 348
  • Study Groups
  • 12
  • Exam
  • 4
  • Total
  • 412
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
15 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written examination, 4 hours under invigilation
During the exam the students must produce a referee report of a research paper (manuscript) not known to the students beforehand.

The course has been selected for ITX exam on Peter Bangs Vej.
Exam registration requirements

To be allowed to the final exam the student must fulfill the following requirements:

1) the student has satisfactorily presented at least one seminar to fellow students during the course
2) has participated actively with relevant questions/comments in at least 80% of the sessions
3) has individually prepared referee reports and participated in peer reviewing of referee reports.

Aid
Only certain aids allowed

PC (offline)

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
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

The same as the ordinary exam.

If the student has not fulfilled the requirements for presentation of at least two seminars, the student can present a seminar of 45 minutes in a subject decided by the teacher.

If the student has not fulfilled the requirements for active participation in at least 80% of the sessions or have not prepared the required number of referee reports and peer reviews the student must take the course again next year.

Criteria for exam assesment

1) See 'Learning Outcome'

2) Active participation. See 'Type of assessment'.