Molecular Biology

This is a course in Molecular Biology at advanced level. The course can be included as part of a Bachelor degree in Molecular Biology and Biology, or as part of a Master´s degree in Molecular Biology or Biology. The course is also offered as a separate course.

Students must have successfully completed basic courses in biology comprising 60 credits in the subject areas of cell biology, molecular genetics, evolution, botanical and zoological physiology, ecology and biodiversity and systematics, or equivalent. English proficiency is required to the level of English 6/English level 2 from Swedish Upper Secondary School, or be certified by an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS. In addition a completed depth course of 15 credits in a relevant area is also required.

The course shall focus on a detailed understanding of gene regulation and protein dynamics with particular emphasis on human diseases.

Specific topics are; Eukaryotic cell cycle, Intracellular regulation, Posttranscriptional regulation, Cytoskeleton, Molecular chaperones, Cancer Cell biology, Metal toxicity and cellular defense mechanisms.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• read and understand scientific literature.
• apply the scientific knowledge to new topics.

Competence and skills

• present scientific literature to others.
• report and summarize scientific data.
• analyse experimental results.

Judgement and approach

• discuss current molecular biology research.
• critically analyse published results.

The course is based on lectures, seminars and laboratory/microscopy classes. Each student will also choose a molecular biology topic for individual project work in the form of 1) writing a scientific review of the topic, 2) giving a presentation at a mini symposium and 3) having an interview about their project
Compulsory parts in the course are the laboratory/microscopy classes, and the three components of the individual project work.

Language of instruction: English 

Written examination.

Individual project work (written report, presentation, interview).

Missed lab classes can be made up next time the course runs.

It may be possible to make up for a missed presentation whilst the course is running, otherwise next time the course runs

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).
Each component (exam, written report, presentation, interview) must achieve a minimum of 60% to pass the course.

Requirements for Pass (G) is 60% and Pass with distinction (VG) 85 %.
70% of the final grade is based on the written examination and 30% on the individual project work (10% for each of the three components: written report, presentation, interview).

The course is divided into two modules:
Molecular biology theory: 10,5 credits (Pass, Pass with distinction or Fail based on the written exam)
Individual project work 4,5 credits (Pass or Fail only)

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.