School: Science
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Cellular and Molecular BiologyUnit Code
SCB2222Year
2016Enrolment Period
1Version
1Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Description
In this unit students explore the structure and function of cells within a theoretical and experimental framework. Students study selected cellular processes and the nature and expression of genetic material.
Prerequisite Rule
Students must pass 1 units from SCI1183, SCI1187
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Deduce the cellular and chemical bases of life on earth.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply important laboratory techniques for studying regulation of cellular functions: cell and viral cultures, recombinant DNA and genomics, genetic analysis.
- Describe the processes of DNA replication and recombination, transcription and translation.
- Detail the structure of nucleic acids and the molecular structure of genes and chromosomes.
- Display proficiency in data handling; laboratory skills and science communication.
- Outline the structure and function of biomembranes and eukaryotic cells.
Unit Content
- Cell and viral culture techniques: microorganisms, animal cells, viruses. Mutations as a genetic tool: the nature of mutations, molecular cloning, transformation. Recombinant DNA: DNA cloning, the polymerase chain reaction, genomics, bioinformatics.
- Cells as dynamic entities: architecture of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell life cycles, cellular differentiation. The chemistry of cells: chemical bonds, chemical equilibrium, energetics. Biomolecules: structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, the genetic code and protein synthesis.
- DNA replication: the replication process, telomere structure and function. Regulation of transcription: bacterial gene control and transcription initiation, eukaryotic gene control, regulatory sequences, activators and repressors, RNA polymerase II, molecular control of transcription. RNA processing: transcription termination, processing of eukaryotic mRNA and its regulation, nuclear transport, post-transcriptional control mechanisms, processing of rRNA and tRNA.
- Data handling: Introduction to graphs, standard curves and determining the concentration of unknown solutions, linear regression and correlations, numeracy for determination of concentrations and dilutions. Laboratory skills: microscopy, spectrophotometry, centrifugation, electrophoresis, sterile technique, microbial cell culturing. Literacy: scientific drawings, syntax and grammar. Obtaining information: reading effectively, interpretation of scientific drawings. Communication: laboratory reports as scientific article, essays as review articles, graphs/drawings as a communication tool, discussion as a learning tool.
- Molecular structure of genes and chromosomes: definition of a gene, chromosome organisation and coding and non-coding DNA, chromosomal rearrangements, DNA in organelles.
- Structure and function of biomembranes: chemical composition of biomembranes, structure and function of membrane proteins, membrane fluidity, diffusion, protein-mediated transport, membrane electric potential, active transport, epithelia, osmosis. Subcellular organisation of eukaryotic cells: lysosomes, plant vacuoles, peroxisomes, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi vesicles, nucleus, cytosol. Energy flow: glycolysis, beta-oxidation, the Krebs cycle, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
Additional Learning Experience Information
Lectures, directed reading and laboratory exercises.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
ON CAMPUS| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Assignment | Group assignment | 20% |
| Laboratory Work | Lab skills and reports | 50% |
| Examination | End of semester examination | 30% |
Text References
- ^ Lodish, H., Berk, A., Kaiser, C.A., Krieger, M., Bretscher, A., Ploegh, H., Amon, A., & Scott, M.P. (2013). Molecular cell biology (7th ed.). New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.
- Xiong, J. (2006). Essential bioinformatics. New York: Cambridge University Press.
- Campbell, N.A., Reece, J.B., Meyers, N., Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V., & Jackson, R.B. (2008). Biology (8th ed.). Australian version). San Francisco: Pearson.
- Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K., & Walter, P. (2008). Molecular biology of the cell (5th ed.). New York: Garland Science.
Journal References
- Scientific American
- Annual Review of Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure
- Science
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews
- Nature
- Annual Review of Genetics
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (USA)
- Cell
- Journal of Molecular Biology
- American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
Website References
^ Mandatory reference
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
SCB2222|1|1
School: Science
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Cellular and Molecular BiologyUnit Code
SCB2222Year
2016Enrolment Period
2Version
1Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Description
In this unit students explore the structure and function of cells within a theoretical and experimental framework. Students study selected cellular processes and the nature and expression of genetic material.
Prerequisite Rule
Students must pass 1 units from SCI1183, SCI1187
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Deduce the cellular and chemical bases of life on earth.
- Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to apply important laboratory techniques for studying regulation of cellular functions: cell and viral cultures, recombinant DNA and genomics, genetic analysis.
- Describe the processes of DNA replication and recombination, transcription and translation.
- Detail the structure of nucleic acids and the molecular structure of genes and chromosomes.
- Display proficiency in data handling; laboratory skills and science communication.
- Outline the structure and function of biomembranes and eukaryotic cells.
Unit Content
- Cell and viral culture techniques: microorganisms, animal cells, viruses. Mutations as a genetic tool: the nature of mutations, molecular cloning, transformation. Recombinant DNA: DNA cloning, the polymerase chain reaction, genomics, bioinformatics.
- Cells as dynamic entities: architecture of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, cell life cycles, cellular differentiation. The chemistry of cells: chemical bonds, chemical equilibrium, energetics. Biomolecules: structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, the genetic code and protein synthesis.
- DNA replication: the replication process, telomere structure and function. Regulation of transcription: bacterial gene control and transcription initiation, eukaryotic gene control, regulatory sequences, activators and repressors, RNA polymerase II, molecular control of transcription. RNA processing: transcription termination, processing of eukaryotic mRNA and its regulation, nuclear transport, post-transcriptional control mechanisms, processing of rRNA and tRNA.
- Data handling: Introduction to graphs, standard curves and determining the concentration of unknown solutions, linear regression and correlations, numeracy for determination of concentrations and dilutions. Laboratory skills: microscopy, spectrophotometry, centrifugation, electrophoresis, sterile technique, microbial cell culturing. Literacy: scientific drawings, syntax and grammar. Obtaining information: reading effectively, interpretation of scientific drawings. Communication: laboratory reports as scientific article, essays as review articles, graphs/drawings as a communication tool, discussion as a learning tool.
- Molecular structure of genes and chromosomes: definition of a gene, chromosome organisation and coding and non-coding DNA, chromosomal rearrangements, DNA in organelles.
- Structure and function of biomembranes: chemical composition of biomembranes, structure and function of membrane proteins, membrane fluidity, diffusion, protein-mediated transport, membrane electric potential, active transport, epithelia, osmosis. Subcellular organisation of eukaryotic cells: lysosomes, plant vacuoles, peroxisomes, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi vesicles, nucleus, cytosol. Energy flow: glycolysis, beta-oxidation, the Krebs cycle, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.
Additional Learning Experience Information
Lectures, directed reading and laboratory exercises.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
ON CAMPUS| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Assignment | Group assignment | 20% |
| Laboratory Work | Lab skills and reports | 50% |
| Examination | End of semester examination | 30% |
Text References
- ^ Lodish, H., Berk, A., Kaiser, C.A., Krieger, M., Bretscher, A., Ploegh, H., Amon, A., & Scott, M.P. (2013). Molecular cell biology (7th ed.). New York: W.H. Freeman and Company.
- Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K., & Walter, P. (2008). Molecular biology of the cell (5th ed.). New York: Garland Science.
- Xiong, J. (2006). Essential bioinformatics. New York: Cambridge University Press.
- Campbell, N.A., Reece, J.B., Meyers, N., Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V., & Jackson, R.B. (2008). Biology (8th ed.). Australian version). San Francisco: Pearson.
Journal References
- Journal of Molecular Biology
- Science
- Annual Review of Biophysics and Biomolecular Structure
- Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews
- Scientific American
- Nature
- Annual Review of Genetics
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (USA)
- Cell
- American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
Website References
^ Mandatory reference
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
SCB2222|1|2
