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LSC-10066 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2023/24 Last Updated: 13 February 2024

LSC-10066 - Molecular Cell Biology
Coordinator: Sheila Hope Room: Hux230 Tel: +44 1782 7 33674
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2023/24

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2023/24

This module is an introduction to molecular cell biology. Starting with the cell as the basic unit of life, you will look at the subcellular architecture of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. You will explore the diversity of prokaryotic cells and you will also look at the incredible diversity of cells within a multicellular organism and how these cells interact with and communicate with each other. You will find out the important roles of cellular membranes and be introduced to key signalling pathways. You will discover the importance of the genetic material and how the information stored in DNA is processed via RNA intermediates to produce proteins and how this genetic information is passed from one generation to the next (at the cellular and organismal levels). You will look in detail at structures of nucleic acids and compare and contrast the processes of transcription and translation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and how these different types of cells control which genes are expressed. You will be introduced to how we can exploit some of the DNA processing enzymes used by bacterial cells for recombinant DNA technology and will investigate some of the bioethical implications of research used to study our genomes or create new DNA molecules.
Core material (lectures) will be delivered asynchronously with supplementary material available on the KLE page. This frees up the contact time for interactive workshops and support sessions.
On this module, the assessments are designed not only to test your knowledge, but to help you to develop some of your key communication skills.

Aims
This module introduces students to the fundamentals of molecular cell biology, focusing on the mechanisms involved in the storage, processing and controlling the expression of the genetic information and the subcellular locations thereof. We investigate how cells within a multicellular organism interact with and communicate with each other. The module also looks at the diversity of cells and organisms, showing how genetic diversity is generated and how evolutionary pressures contribute to the wide biodiversity of organisms.
The workshop programme aims to equip students with, problem solving, bioethics, communication and analytical skills.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/lsc-10066/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and compare the architecture of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, explaining the roles of cellular organelles and the cellular and molecular interactions involved in the formation of tissues: 1,2
explain the fundamental differences between the processes of bacterial cell division and mitosis and meiosis in eukaryotic cells and the implications these different types of cell division have on the genetic diversity of offspring (Mendelian genetics): 2
describe the chemical structure and function of the key nucleic acids and describe the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription and processing of RNA molecules, explaining how these processes differ in prokaryotes and eukaryotes: 2
compare and contrast the processes of translation and post-translational processing of proteins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes: 2
describe some of the major mechanisms of controlling gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and relate phenotypic diversity of cells within a multicellular organism to differences in gene expression: 3
describe the major mechanisms for generation of genetic variation at the level of DNA and relate phenotypic diversity of prokaryotes and eukaryotes to the process of evolution by natural selection: 3
discuss the structure and properties of biological membranes and describe the general mechanisms by which molecules are transported across them: 3
describe the different types of intra- and inter-cellular signalling systems in eukaryotic cells: 3
describe the practical applications of some of the naturally occurring DNA processing enzymes in recombinant DNA technology and the ethic implications of their use: 3
analyse and interpret experimental data and discuss the ethical implications of the use of animal models: 1,4
communicate in a variety of different formats (poster, bioethics blog, oral presentation) to different audiences: 1,4,5

Study hours

Active learning hours
6 x 1.5 hour live workshops
2 x 1 hour tutorial
2 x 1 hour tutorials (assessment preparation)
1x 1 hour oral and poster presentation
structured engagement with online activities (9 topics at10 hours per topic)
Independent study hours
2 x 1 hour completion of online 2 class tests plus 2 x 60 hour reading and revision
74 hours completion of the communication skills portfolio (including reflection from labs delivered as part of LSC-10087)


School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Poster Presentation weighted 10%
Communication Skills Portfolio 1
Students will submit a poster based on the results of an experiment. This will usually be done in collaboration with a lab partner.

2: Online Tasks weighted 35%
Online Class Test I
This paper will be released as a timed test in Blackboard. Students will find a link to this test on KLE on the day of the assessment, in week 7. Once started, students will be given 2 hrs to complete. This is 1 hour more than we expect most students will actually need. This test will comprise a number of multiple choice and short answer questions. Questions will be based on the first 1/2 of the module content. All questions are compulsory. Adjustments We have added an additional 1 hour to this test than is ordinarily needed to complete. By doing this, we do not expect that any student will require additional time due to dyslexia or disability.

3: Online Tasks weighted 35%
Online Class test II
This paper will be released as a timed test in Blackboard. Students will find a link to this test on KLE on the day of the assessment in the exam period. Once started, students will be given 2 hrs to complete. This is 1 hour more than we expect most students will actually need. This test will comprise a number of multiple choice and short answer questions. Questions will be based on the second1/2 of the module content. All questions are compulsory. Adjustments We have added an additional 1 hour to this test than is ordinarily needed to complete. By doing this, we do not expect that any student will require additional time due to dyslexia or disability.

4: Online Tasks weighted 10%
Communications skills portfolio 2
Students will work in groups to produce a blog (~250 words) on the ethics of the use of animals in experimentation. The mark will be a group mark, using an assessment rubric

5: Oral Presentation weighted 10%
Communications Skills Portfolio 3
Students will give an oral answer to a seen question based on the material for their posters. This will be approx. 2 minutes. This will be an individual mark, using an assessment rubric

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 13 February 2024