Molecular Biology

Code:

MA222

Acronym:

BM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	General and Aquatic Biology

Instance: 2015/2016 - 1S (of 16-11-2015 to 15-01-2016)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Molecular Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Aquatic Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
LCMA	40	Plan 2012 to 2017	2	-	5	49	135

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The objectives are in the area of Molecular Biology:
1 – To form a matrix of knowledge analysis
2 – To transmit knowledge
3 – To enable the students to solve theoretical and practical problems.
4 - To make the students familiar with the laboratory and laboratory work.

Learning outcomes and competences

Goals to be achieved:
The students must acquire knowledge about the molecular mechanisms concerning the biological organization and the identity of the organisms, including the several aspects of gene structure and expression, of the regulation of those mechanisms, and of the genetic technologies at the molecular level. In terms of practical experience, the students must learn how to purify DNA, analyzing it biochemically, manipulating it and introducing it into bacteria.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Program:


Theory:

The genetic material
DNA replication
DNA mutation
Mechanisms of DNA repair
Genetic recombination
Transcription
Genetic code
Translation
Gene regulation in prokaryotes
Gene regulation in eukaryotes
Recombinant DNA
Genetics of virus
Genetics of immunoglobulin
Molecular genetics of cancer
Microbial genomics
Genetic engineering and biotechnology


Laboratory work:

Realization of experimental protocols and discussion of the work.

Mandatory literature

Krebs Jocelyn E.; Lewin.s Genes X. ISBN: 978-0-7637-7992-4
Russell Peter J.; iGenetics. ISBN: 0-321-31207-4
Watson James D. 070; Molecular biology of the gene. ISBN: 978-0-321-50781-5

Complementary Bibliography

Alberts Bruce; Molecular biology of the cell. ISBN: 978-0-8153-4105-5
Lodish Harvey 070; Molecular cell biology. ISBN: 978-0-7167-7601-7
Madigan Michael; Brock biology of microorganisms. ISBN: 978-0-321-73551-5
Videira Arnaldo 340; Engenharia genética. ISBN: 972-757-163-8

Comments from the literature

Complementar bibliography:

The bibliography placed on the Sigarra site of the course of Biologia Molecular.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methods and learning activities:


Theoretical classes:

Two theoretical classes per week (2 hours each).
Oral lectures with video projections.


Practical classes:

One practical class per week (3 hours).
Experimental protocols available online.
Analysis and discussion of the results of the laboratory classes.
Each student will write an individual laboratory notebook with material from all the practical classes and an individual report of a laboratory class assigned to him/her.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	45,00
Participação presencial	3,75
Teste	26,25
Trabalho escrito	12,50
Trabalho laboratorial	12,50
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	6,00
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	30,00
Trabalho laboratorial	24,00
Total:	120,00

Eligibility for exams

Obtention of frequency:

Obtention of a grade at least 9.50 in the practical component.


Eligibility for exams:

Students can take the final exam if they are enrolled in the course of Biologia Molecular.

Calculation formula of final grade

Calculation formula of final grade:

The part with theoretical emphasis is worth 75% and the part with practical emphasis is worth 25%, calculated as follows:


Theoretical component grade (TCG):

Average of the tests (AT)s: 35%
Final exam (FE): 60%
Continuum evaluation of the theoretical component (CETC): 5%
Theoretical component grade: TCG = (0,35 x AT) + (0,60 x FE) + (0,05 x CATC)


Practical component grade (PCG):
1 report (R): 20%
1 laboratory notebook (NB) 30%
Continuum evaluation of the practical component (CEPC): 50%
Practical component grade: PCG = (0,20 x R) + (0,30 x NB) + (0,50 x CEPC)


The part with theoretical emphasis is worth 75% and the part with practical emphasis is worth 25%,
Final grade = (0,75 x TCG) + (0,25 x PCG)


The evaluation of the theoretical components includes continuous evaluation tests that take place in the last 15 minutes of theoretical classes, and a final exam.

Practical evaluation includes an individual laboratory notebook with material from all the practical classes and an individual report of a laboratory class assigned to each student.

The continuous evaluation of the practical components includes laboratorial activity, and the degree of frequency of practical classes.

Eligibility for the final exam:
Students can take the final exam if they are enrolled in the course of Biologia Molecular

To obtain approval in the course of Biologia Molecular, students must have a grade equal or greater than 9.50 in the calculated final grade value, as well as in the grade of the practical component, in the average grade of the continuous evaluation tests, and in the grade of the final exam.

Classification improvement

Grade improvement:

Final examination for improvement of the grade: the grade obtained in the exam is to be used with the formula used in calculating the final grade along with all the grades (of the theoretical and practical components) that were used for the calculation of the original final grade.