From Cell to Organism

Topics covered include: structure of large biological molecules; basic animal and plant cell structure; cellular organelles; cytoskeleton; extracellular matrix; viral structure and function; bacterial cell structure, sporulation, growth and control of bacteria; fungal cell structure, role of yeast in brewing, fungal diseases; principles of genetics; mitosis and meiosis; patterns of inheritance; transcription and translation; mechanisms of evolution; microscopy; calculations involving weights, dilutions and molarity.

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:
-Describe the structure and function of large biological molecules.
-Define the structural characteristics of animal and plant cells and the functions of cellular organelles.
-Describe the defining characteristics, structure and replication abilities of viruses, bacteria and fungi.
-Describe the dominant and recessive patterns of Mendelian inheritance.
-Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between genes and proteins.
-Describe the processes driving evolution at the population level, including the process of speciation.
-Use Chi-square statistics to test if a population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
-Demonstrate basic practical competence in the use of the light microscope and performing simple calculations involving dilutions, weights and molarity.

Learning & Teaching methods:
Lectures: 36 hours
Labs/Practicals: 15 hours
Planned learning activities: 10 hours
Independent student activities: 89 hours

Assessment:
Continuous Assessment: 30%
University scheduled written examination: 70%

Continuous Assessment detail(s): Multiple Choice Questionnaires (mid-term and end-of-term) 15%; Practical write-ups 15%.