NBIK14031U Molecular Biology for Non-life Scientists

Volume 2025/2026
Education

MSc Programme in Bioinformatics

Content

The course will give an introduction to fundamental molecular and cellular biology with an emphasis on the processing of genetic information. The course is targeting students with no life science background (e.g. students with a finished BSc programme in Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, etc.).

 

Subjects include:

Elements of the chemistry of biological macromolecules and their building blocks. Synthesis of macromolecules (DNA replication, transcription and pre-mRNA processing, translation). Regulation of gene expression, cell cycle and cell communication. Elements of virology and host-virus interactions are also discussed in relation to these topics.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

The student will know the basics of molecular biology and genetics.

Skills:

The student will be able to understand and use basic concepts in molecular biology and genetics.

 

Competences:

The student will be able to communicate the basics of molecular biology and genetics and relate this to other subjects.

Literature

See Absalon.

This course is aimed at students with no prior knowledge of molecular biology and genetics, such as mathematicians and computer scientists starting in the bioinformatics program. Students having finished a life science BSc program such as biology or biomedicine are strongly recommended to choose other courses.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
(1) Colloquia and exercises (6 hours per week). Prior to each session of the colloquia, the students read up on the subject to be discussed and prepare their individual questions to the teacher. In this way, the framework of the colloquia is determined by the subjects laid out by the teacher, but their precise content is determined by the initiatives and the needs of the students on the course.

(2) 3 written assignments with running evaluation. All assignments must be passed to complete the course successfully.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 154
  • Seminar
  • 46
  • Exam
  • 6
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Individual
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment, 3 x 2 hours under Invigilation under invigilation
Type of assessment details
Three onsite exams (not ITX), 2 hours each, conducted during the seminar on Wednesday afternoon in weeks 3, 5, and 7 of the course.
It is mandatory for the students to participate in all these three sessions and onsite exams. That is the student must have 100% attendance in these three sessions.
The three exams weigh equally.
Students must pass all examination events individually to pass the overall exam.

Passed examination events do not have to be repeated. They will be included in the assessment of the re-exam with the result obtained when they were taken the first time.

Unsuccessful examination events are conducted for the re-examination.
Aid
Only certain aids allowed (see description below)

The students can bring max 2 A4 pages of notes for each onsite exam.

Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Re-exam

The Re-exam is the same format as the ordinary exam.

All 3 exams, 2 hour each are conducted on the same day during the re-examination week.

The students do not have to participate in those exams they have passed during the course. 

The three exams weigh equally. The student has to pass each exam separately to pass the course.

Criteria for exam assesment

To pass this course, the student should convincingly and accurately demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competences described under Learning Outcome.