BIOSCI 201 : Cellular and Molecular Biology

Science

2025 Semester One (1253) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The fundamental processes of the cell are examined to understand how cells reproduce and use information stored within the genome, express proteins for specific functions, and function within larger tissues. Specific modules examine stem cells, tissues and cellular development, cancer progression and the biology of tumours and the basis of immunity.

Course Overview

Cellular and Molecular Biology is the study of the hidden life of cells. At its essence, it seeks to understand the processes, mechanisms and functions that allow a cell to autonomously reproduce, maintain and use information stored within the genome. Molecular techniques are used to determine how this information regulates normal cellular functions within cells, between organs and within organisms, and what happens when something goes wrong. Understanding molecular cell biology allows us to determine the molecular mechanisms of disease and to develop exciting new technologies including cell-based treatments for disease. 

BIOSCI 201 is a compulsory paper in both the Biochemistry and Cellular Biology pathway, the Cell and Molecular Biomedicine Pathway and the Genetics pathway within the Biological Sciences Major and Biomedical Science Specialisations. It is also a component of many pathways within the Biomedical Science program. 

This paper gives you an excellent foundation to go on and study advanced molecular cell biology topics within the biomedical and biological fields, and will draw you into the fascinating microscopic world that controls the life and death of all living organisms. BIOSCI 201 leads into: stage 3 BIOSCI papers BISOCI 353 Cellular Regulation, BIOSCI 356 Developmental Biology and Cancer and Development, BIOSCI 350 Protein Structure and Function, BIOSCI 351 Molecular Genetics and BIOSCI 349 Biomedical Microbiology.

A note of the Prerequisites: MEDSCI 142 is not required to take this paper.

Course Director/Coordinator: Kathryn Jones email ks.jones@auckland.ac.nz 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: BIOSCI 101, and 15 points from BIOSCI 106-109, MEDSCI 142, and 15 points from CHEM 110, 120, 150

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication
Capability 7: Collaboration
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Science

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop practical skills associated with cellular and molecular biology research and use these practical skills to answer molecular cell biology questions. (Capability 3, 5, 6 and 7)
  2. Use critical thinking, reflective practice, mathematical and creativity skills to write up experimental results for a poster presentation. (Capability 4, 5 and 6)
  3. Describe key molecular processes underlying and regulating the central dogma of cell biology: the control over cell replication, RNA transcription and protein translation. Explain how DNA can be edited or mutated and the effect on the cell. (Capability 3 and 5)
  4. Describe the molecular mechanisms of how proteins and molecules are trafficked between different compartments inside and outside of the cell. Use examples of human disease that result from dysregulation of these mechanisms. (Capability 3 and 4)
  5. Compare and contrast the role of stem cells in controlling embryonic development, the establishment of the body plan in model organisms, and uses of stem cells in research and treatment of disease. (Capability 3 and 4)
  6. Explain how cancer arises from normal cells, the role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and how the cells in the immune system act in concert to combat pathogens. Use this knowledge to describe how to develop treatments for the prevention/treatment of disease. (Capability 3)
  7. Integrate and apply information from across different modules in the course to answer biological questions. (Capability 3, 4 and 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Laboratories 25% Individual Coursework
Test 25% Individual Test
Final Exam 45% Individual Examination
Quizzes 5% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Laboratories
Test
Final Exam
Quizzes
Students must pass the practical laboratories and the theory (Quizzes, Test and Final Exam) independently to pass the course overall. 

Key Topics

Module A. The Dynamic Cell
Module B. The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
Module C: Developmental Biology
Module D: Introduction to Immunology
Module E: Cell Proliferation and Cancer 

Special Requirements

Attendance is required at the evening test (after 6pm); the date and time for the test is published on the BIOSCI 201 Canvas course.

Tuākana

Tuākana Science is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/pacific-in-our-faculty.html

https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-in-our-faculty.html

For more information and to find contact details for the BIOSCI201 Tuākana coordinator, please see https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/science/study-with-us/maori-and-pacific-at-the-faculty/tuakana-programme.html



Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 3 hours of lectures per week, 3 hours of labs per fortnight, and 66 hours of reading and thinking about the content including work on laboratory assignments, practice genetics questions, test/exam preparation. This is a minimum of 5 hours per week outside lectures and labs. 

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Practical laboratories have compulsory attendance and can not be completed online. 

Lectures will be taught on campus and available as recordings. Other learning activities including labs will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.


Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Recommended Textbook: Lodish et al Molecular Cell Biology

Students are required to supply and wear a lab coat and safety glasses while in the teaching lab.

Additional course materials will be made available via the CANVAS course page.

Health & Safety

Students are required to supply and wear a lab coat and safety glasses while in the teaching lab.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

We continue to value student feedback. Over the last 2-5 years we have incorporated suggestions and feedback to improve our labs, the assessment models for students and also our online and in person delivery. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 02/11/2024 08:23 a.m.