BIO225: Molecular Biology of the Cell

SPRING 2018
UNION COLLEGE, SCHENECTADY, NY
Location and Meeting Time:  Karp Hall 005;  M,W,F 9:15 AM-10:20 AM
Laboratory:  S&E S103,  MONDAY– THURSDAY, Various Times

SYLLABUS OF STUDY

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The main objectives of this course are to understand some of the fundamental concepts involved in the life cycle of a cell, and to learn how to think critically.  Emphasis will be placed on describing some of the underlying subcellular events and how they impact on the cycle of a typical cell.  These events include the processes of replication, transcription, translation, protein structure, and regulation of gene expression.  We will try and understand how structure is integrated with function, and the means by which the cell carries out these important processes.

• TEXTBOOK (required)
  “Essential Cell Biology, 4th Edition” by Bruce Alberts et al. (2013), published by Garland Science, Inc. New York ISBN:978-0-8153-4455-4.  This textbook is required, as there will be assigned readings (please see lecture schedule) that will either complement or expand upon the material presented during lectures.  However, the lecture period remains the most important and efficient way of learning the material in the course.

• LECTURE PRESENTATIONS
  Lectures will be given in Karp 005 every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9:15 AM and 10:20 AM.  Presentations will make use of traditional teaching tools as well as assorted electronic resources .  I will rely heavily on Nexus to transmit files including supplemental readings and slides presented in class.  If you have any problems please let me know so I can find another way to get you the required files.

• LABORATORY
  Students enrolled in the course will be required to attend lab once each week.  Labs will be held in Room S103 (S & E Center) MONDAY to THURSDAY.  If you cannot make your scheduled lab period a particular week, you must make it up that same week in another period.  Failure to do so will result in a failing grade for the lab section of the course. A required laboratory manual (entitled “Biology 225, Molecular Biology of The Cell, Spring 2018”) is also available for purchase from the bookstore.  The laboratories will contain selected exercises in molecular and cellular biology that best complement lecture material.  A complete laboratory schedule can be found on the first page of the lab manual.  Please make sure to read the assigned handout prior to each scheduled laboratory.

• GRADES
  A)  Lecture-based term-tests/final exam will account for 70% of your final grade as follows:

  Evaluation	Date	% of final grade
  Term-Test #1	4/20	14
  Term-Test #2	5/9	14
  Term-Test #3	5/25	14
  Final exam	TBA	18
  Assignments	PRN	7
  Instructor evaluation/class participation	PRN	3

  B) Lab-based grades will account for 30% of your final grade

• Important Dates
  

  Week		Monday	Wednesday	Friday	Lab	Lab Assignment
  1	4/2-4/6				Molecular Techniques
  2	4/9-4/13				Apoptosis	Gel Analysis
  3	4/16-4/20			Exam 1	Lactose Sensitivity I
  4	4/23-4/27	NO CLASS	NO CLASS		Lactose Sensitivity II	Apoptosis Lab Analysis
  5	4/30-5/4				IgG Purification I	Lactose Lab Report
  6	5/7-5/11		Exam 2	NO CLASS	IgG Purification II
  7	5/14-5/18				Seed Germination	IgG Lab Analysis
  8	5/21-5/25			Exam 3	Bioinformatics	Seed Lab Graph
  9	5/28-6/1					Lab Practical (5/29)
  10	6/4-6/8

TENTATIVE  BIOLOGY 225 LECTURE OUTLINE  (We may cover a greater or fewer number of topics, depending upon the time available)