Molecular and Cell Biology I

Code:

MD1102

Acronym:

BCM I

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2009/2010 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Mestrado Integrado
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master in Dental Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMD	100	PLANO OFICIAL 2007/2008 BOLONHA	1	-	6	90	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to provide the student with a solid knowleadge about the cell molecular biology and organization.

Program

The Cell: concepts and evolution. Universal characteristics of the cells. Eukaryotic and procaryotic cells. Celular Chemical components.

DNA: estructure and function. Genes and chromosomes. The Human Genome: Principal findings and future perspectives for medical practice.
DNA Replication,mutation and repair. General Recombination and site-specific recombination. Mobile genetic elements and evolution. Structure and organization of Víruses.

RNA: Structure and function. rRNA, tRNA and mRNA . The RNA world and the origin of life.

From RNA to Protein: Translation. Protein structure and function. Gene expression and mechanisms of control. Molecular genetic mechanisms that create specialized cell types .

Cell study methods: Isolating cells and growing them in culture. Microscopy. Molecular Biology thecniques and its application in medicine. Studying gene expression and function. Biological models of study in biomedicine.

laboratory/practical classes:

Lab safety rules
Learning how to use an optical microscope
Preparing samples for microscopy
Cell types
DNA extraction
DNA amplification, PCR
DNA electrophoresis
DNA Cloning
DNA Fingerprinting

Complementary learning:

Analysis and discussion of the following articles:

- “Genes, learning, behaviour and the outside world”
- “Faith and the Human Genome”
- “Unlocking the potential of the human genome with RNA interference”

Science Case Studies


-Chimpanzee Droppings Lead Scientists to Evolutionary Discovery
by Erica F. Kosal, Biology Department, North Carolina Wesleyan College

- Selecting the Perfect Baby:The Ethics of "Embryo Design"
by Julia Omarzu, Department of Psychology Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa

- "The Case of the Mysterious Infection"
by Paula P. Lemons and Sarah Huber, Biology Department, Duke University

- Do You Really Know What You’re Eating? A Case Study on Genetically Modified Foods
by Wayne Shew, Biology Department, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, AL
Mary Celeste Reese, Department of Biological Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS

-“Tazswana’s Story:
How Alternative mRNA Splicing Leads to Genetic Disease and Cure”
by S. Catherine Silver Key, Department of Biology, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC

Mandatory literature

Cooper Geoffrey M.; The^cell. ISBN: 0-87893-220-7

Complementary Bibliography

Alberts Bruce 070; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 0-8153-4072-9
Lodish Harvey; Molecular cell biology. ISBN: 0-7167-4366-3

Teaching methods and learning activities

Active learning

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	70,00
Laboratory Reports regarding the work developed in the classes	Trabalho escrito
Mini- biography of a molecular biology researcher	Trabalho escrito
Two written tests of final exam	Exame
	Total:	-	0,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Description	Type	Time (hours)	End date
Discussion of case studies followed by a small questionaire	Frequência das aulas
Complementary Learning: Paper discussions	Frequência das aulas
	Total:	0,00

Eligibility for exams

Theory(T) and Continuous evaluation (C) : laboratory and complementary learning

Theory : 2 tests (one hour each)
Complementary learning : Laboratory work and reports, problem resolution, paper discussions.


The student needs to score at least 7/20 as a minimal grade in each component (Theory and Continuous evaluation).

The student must atttend at least 75% of all classes and have a final mark of at least 10/20 to pass the course

Calculation formula of final grade

The Final grade is calculated using the following values:

Theory tests (T) (maximum score 9/20) + Laboratory (maximum score 5/20) + Complementary learming (maximum score 4/20) + class attendance (maximum score 2/20)

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

These students will be alowed to have alternative exam dates, in accordance with the law.

Classification improvement

It is obligatory to evaluate theory and laboratory components of the discipline.