Course content

The course introduces the students to basic molecular and cell biology, including genetics. Subjects covered include: the molecular basis of the cell, biochemistry and cell physiology, the structure and function of the cell, Mendel's law of heredity, molecular biology and biotechnology. The course is part of the 1-year module in biology, and master program in biotechnology. Admission is restricted. A small number of places are available for students that want only this course.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

The candidate shall have knowledge of:

• The fundamental units of life, especially the cell as an organisms basic unit for structure and function. - Large biological molecules and membranes structure and function.
• Metabolism and how energy is transformed in living systems.
• Participants and principles of cellular communication.
• Principles of cell division.
• The chromosomal and the molecular basis of inheritance.
• Regulation of gene expression, from gene to protein.
• Biotechnology: use of DNA toolkit with examples of cloning of organisms and how this may be utilized to study gene sequence, expression and function.
• Genomes and their evolution.

Experiences:

The candidate can:

• Recognize and describe different forms of life, including different types of cells.
• Quote processes that regulate inheritance between generations, and transformation from gene to protein.
• Design a cloning experiment.

General competence:

• Team work

The candidate can:

• Comprehend and explain the diversity in biological systems and processes on cellular level.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures: 50 hours

Seminars: Mandatory, 18 hours

Compulsory assignments

• Participation in problem based learning (PBL) in groups

Recommended previous knowledge

Second year of civil engineering or equivalent education.

Credit reductions