Aim and Content

The course is aimed at giving the student a theoretical overview of methods and technology commonly used in basic medical research, and also to give the student practical experience of selected methods. The course will also provide the students with training in literature search and use of reference managing software/programs. Additionally, the student will be trained in how to present problems and research results in an academic and scientifically correct manner.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge

• Explain and place into context commonly used methods and technology in medical basic research
• Explain useful applications of various methods to given problems within cell biology.

Skills and competences

• Plan and conduct experiments, and critically interpret and evaluate the results.
• Search for, present and make use of scientific literature related to particular academic contexts within the field.
• Present research projects in an academically proficient manner.

Course offered (semester)

Autumn

Access to the Course Unit

Master in Medical Biology

Recommended previous knowledge

Fundamental knowledge of molecular and cellular biology. The student must also be familiar with basic concepts of molecular biology methods such as polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis (with and without SDS) for separation of proteins and DNA/RNA, agarose gel-electrophoresis for separation of DNA/RNA, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cDNA.

Subject Overlap

HUCEL320

Teaching Methods

The course extends for a period of 13-14 weeks.

The course begins with 4 weeks of lectures (between 8-16 hours/week), and continues with experimental laboratory work under supervision. During the weeks of laboratory work, regular working hours is expected (around 40 hours/week). This means that it is difficult to combine this course with other courses.

Compulsory Requirements

Lectures and laboratory work are mandatory.

Assessment methods

The assessment consists of three parts:

1. Home exam after completing theory lessons.
2. Submission of term paper after placement in the lab.
3. Assessment of performance and workload by the lab supervisor.

The three parts account for respectively 30%, 60% and 10% percent of the total exam result. All parts must be passed for course fulfillment.

Grading Scale

A-F

Reading List

"Molecular Biology of the Cell", Alberts et al., review-articles, originalarticles and handouts.

Course Unit Evaluation

Written evaluation on My Space/Mi side.