NBIA09011U Principal Subject in Molecular Microbiology 1

Volume 2018/2019
Education

MSc Programme in Biochemistry
 

Content

First 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 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 analysed, 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 an a priory opinion of the scientific subject of the paper and 2) demonstrate the ability to ask questions of procedures and conclusions.

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.

The teaching takes the form of student colloquia and discussions based on reading of original research articles and data.
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.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 178
  • Total
  • 206
Oral
Individual
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Active participation during the course. The criterion for active participation is
1) the student has satisfactorily presented at least two seminars to fellow students during the course and
2) has participated actively with relevant questions/comments in at least 7 of the 9 sessions (80%).
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Re-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, the student must take the course again next year.

Criteria for exam assesment

1) See 'Learning Outcome'

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