Skip to main content
Module Search
A street in Durham, with old buildings and people walking down the street
 

BIOL2441: MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 2
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Biosciences

Prerequisites

  • Level 1 Genetics BIOL1171.

Corequisites

  • At least one other Level 2 Biological Sciences Module

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To develop the study of the central role of molecular biology in modern biosciences, taking student knowledge to an intermediate level.
  • To develop understanding of methods of gene analysis, gene manipulation and information retrieval to an intermediate level.
  • To provide the necessary background in topics in molecular biology to support full access to research literature.

Content

  • Recombinant DNA techniques.
  • Transcription and translation in eukaryotes.
  • Principles of gene regulation.
  • Bioinformatics

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Knowledge of intermediate level techniques for manipulating and cloning DNA.
  • Knowledge of the sequence of steps involved in gene expression in eukaryotes, including regulation of gene expression.
  • Knowledge of the multiple roles of RNA in the cell.
  • Knowledge of the structures of genomes, the sequence variation amongst individual and within species.
  • Knowledge of the sequence of steps involved in genetic screens.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Basic use of global sequence databases for information retrieval.
  • Intermediate level skills in recombinant DNA techniques.

Key Skills:

  • Literacy, in being able to consult and extract information from printed and on-line archives.
  • Communication skills, using writing skills and graphics, involved in practical reports.
  • IT skills, in information retrieval from on-line databases.
  • Team work.
  • Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
  • Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
  • Practical Exercises allow students to utilise subject-specific knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
  • Tutorials give enhancement of the student learning experience, supporting attainment of all learning outcomes.
  • Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
  • Practical Exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge and demonstrate subject-specific skills in understanding experimental work and data analysis.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures 24Weekly2 hours p/w24 
Practical Exercises2run consecutively in 2nd term4 hours8Yes
Workshops51-2 per term1-2 hours6Yes
Tutorials21 per term1 hour 2 
Preparation & Reading160 
Total 200 

Summative Assessment

Component: Continuous AssessmentComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Science communication exercise 50Yes
Science bulletin 50Yes

Formative Assessment

Formative assessments will be provided to develop the skills for each summative as appropriate.

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our FAQ webpages, Help page or our glossary of terms. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.