SHUA13045U Course in Advanced Cell Biology

Volume 2020/2021
Education

MSc in Human Biology - compulsory

Content

To give the student detailed knowledge of cell biology and insight into the methods used for analyzing cell structures and cellular processes. Students also gain basic knowledge of the cells of the nervous system, their growth and differentiation, which is fundamental to understanding diseases of the brain and the nervous system.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course the student is expected to:

Knowledge

  • understand and explain the organization and function of the organelles of the cell, the cytoskeleton, the plasma membrane (including transport across the membrane and endocytosis), cell adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix
  • understand and explain the regulation of signal transduction, proliferation, cell death and the fundamental elements of cancer
  • understand and explain the structure and function of neurons and other brain cells, the structure and function of the synapse, synaptic transmission, action potentials, and  neurotransmitters

 

Skill

  • discuss the organization, function and interplay of the organelles of the cell, the cytoskeleton, the plasma membrane (including transport across the membrane and endocytosis), cell adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix
  • discuss the regulation of cellular signal transduction, cell proliferation, cell death and the fundamental elements of cancer
  • discuss the structure and function of neurons and other brain cells, the structure and function of the synapse, synaptic transmission, action potentials, and  neurotransmitters
  • orally present and evaluate data obtained from laboratory exercises in cell biology
  • plan and conduct laboratory exercises in cell biological constituting basic cell biology work and assays measuring changes in cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and intracellular signal transduction
  • orally present and evaluate cell biological data presented in a published primary scientific article
  • prepare and communicate a written, theoretical project on a self-chosen cell/molecular biology subject and present such a project orally

 

Competence

  • take a comprehensive view on the structure, function and interplay of basic cell biological elements including organelles, the cytoskeleton, the plasma membrane and transport across the plasma membrane, synapses, cell adhesion molecules, and the extracellular matrix
  • take a comprehensive view on cellular signal transduction, cell proliferation, cell death, cancer, and neurons and other brain cells  in relation to synaptic transmission
  • critically evaluate cell biology-related data presented in scientific publications
  • organize practical cell biology-related lab work and critically evaluate data obtained from cell biology experiments
  • obtain scientific literature of a given cell biological topic, and subsequently qualitatively evaluate and communicate and discuss the observations presented in the obtained literature

The most recent edition of Lodish et al. Molecular Cell Biology, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, is recommended as a text book.

Independent project work, lectures, laboratory exercises (in groups), oral evaluations of laboratory exercises (in groups), literature reviews article presentations (in groups)
This course is concluded by handing in of a written project on a subject of the student’s choice by a given deadline. A Power-Point presentation of the written project will be part of the concluding oral examination. More detail in Exam in Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, and Advanced Cell Biology (SHUA13042E).
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 31
  • Class Instruction
  • 6
  • Preparation
  • 81
  • Exercises
  • 35
  • Total
  • 153
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)

The four groups of students presenting their assigned research article will receive feedback from the responsible moderator and fellow students.

During the practical course and at the practical course evaluation the students will receive feedback from instructors.

Credit
2,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Course participation
Written assignment
Approved participation in article presentations, laboratory exercises (including the subsequent evaluation of the data obtained during the laboratory exercises) and handing in of a written project on a subject of the student’s choice by the given deadline.

The project must be written in English and should include an abstract of no more than 250 words, a table of contents, a list of abbreviations, and a reference list of no more than 50 references. The body of the assignment must consist of an introduction, a description of the aim of the project, a results section and a discussion including conclusions and perspectives. The body of the assignment must not exceed 4000 words (excluding the cover page, table of contents, list of abbreviations, captions/figure legends, abstract, and reference list). The project must be presented in 12 point type with a spacing of 1½ lines and shall comprise a minimum 3 and a maximum of 12 figures, tables, or both.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve a course certificate, the student must be able to:

Knowledge

  • Account for the organelles of the cell, the cytoskeleton, the plasma membrane (including transport across the membrane and endocytosis), cell adhesion molecules and the extracellular matrix
  • Account for the regulation of signal transduction, proliferation, cell death and the fundamental elements of cancer
  • Account for the structure and function of neurones and other brain cells, the structure and function of the synapsis, synaptic transmission, action potentials, and demonstrate knowledge of various neurotransmitters


Skill

  • Prepare a written, theoretical project on a cell/molecular biology subject and present such project orally
  • take a comprehensive view on the structure, function and interplay of basic cell biological elements including organelles, the cytoskeleton, the plasma membrane and transport across the plasma membrane, synapses, cell adhesion molecules, and the extracellular matrix
  • take a comprehensive view on cellular signal transduction, cell proliferation, cell death, cancer, and neurons and other brain cells  in relation to synaptic transmission
  • critically evaluate cell biology-related data presented in scientific publications
  • organize practical cell biology-related lab work and critically evaluate data obtained from cell biology experiments
  • obtain scientific literature of a given cell biological topic, and subsequently qualitatively evaluate and communicate and discuss the observations presented in the obtained literature