MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND GENETICS: FROM GENES TO BIOLOGICAL FUNCTION - 2022/3

Module Overview

The purpose of this module is to introduce the students to sequencing genes and genomes, their variations, relevance to medicine. It also covers the ways in which biological function is controlled through the control of gene expression at different levels and how these functions are altered in disease with emphasis on cancer. This module will help the students to both acquire core theoretical core knowledge and key practical skills in molecular biology and genetics.

Module provider

School of Biosciences

Module Leader

ASIM Mohammad (Biosciences)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 5

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The indicative content includes:

The human genome

Normal variation and its types

Sequencing genes and genomes

Concepts in genotype-phenotype mapping

Genome-wide association studies

Precision medicine

DNA damage and repair

The origin and genetic basis and hallmarks of cancer

Overview of eukaryotic gene control, RNA poly II promoters and general transcription factors

Transcription factors & their regulation, molecular mechanisms of transcription repression and activation

RNA processing, RNA life and death, Non-coding RNAs

Molecular mechanisms of translation and role in disease

Global regulation of translation

Epigenetic control of transcription, Histones and DNA modifications affecting gene expression

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

If practical components require re-assessment there will be a written exam to assess the underlying principles of the appropriate learning outcomes. This will reflect the material covered in the original assessment and will carry the same weighting.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of the topic, and ability to find, evaluate and use material to answer the coursework questions.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Coursework: Practical write-up (This should be in the form of a scientific paper focussing on the use of technical language and appropriate prose). The section should include materials and methods, interpretation of results, use of data with appropriate figure legends. 


• Examination: 50 MCQ and ONE essay-type question/or data interpretation question.

Module aims

• Develop and apply the principles of the central dogma of Molecular Biology, supported by methodologies applied to their study.
• Develop an understanding of the origins and nature of genetic variation.
• Appreciation of the high-throughput methods for studying genomes.
• Understand the origin and genetic basis of cancer, introducing some key genes and pathways involved in cancer, its treatment.
• Comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic mechanisms of transcriptional and translational control.
• Develop practical and analytical skills in the evaluation of gene expression.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategies are designed to:

Provide the basic information to understand the principles and concepts of gene and genome organisation, control of gene expression, and methods and approaches employed in studying their structure, organisation and expression and their regulation. It aims to provide the students with hands-on experimental skills in molecular biology. Methods and approaches will be taught specifically in the context of the theory (eg in the form of case studies).

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 
  Lectures (22 hours), tutorials (15 hours)
  
  Lab practical sessions (9 hours)
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: BMS2036

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.