Download 21 356 Molecular Biology


Course
Syllabus/ Fall 2014 120:356
Molecular
Biology
I NSTRUCTOR :
Miguel Cervantes-Cervantes, Ph. D.
E MAIL :
[email protected]
O FFICE /
O FFICE
H OURS :
Boyden Hall 208A; office hours posted
next to the door.
C OURSE
W EBSITE :
Blackboard
https://blackboard.newark.rutgers.edu/webap
ps/portal/frameset.jsp (scan QR below)
C OURSE L OCATION ,M EETING T IMES :
Boyden Hall 100, Wed 8:30-9:50
A.M .
Fri 10-11:20 A.M.
C OURSE D ESCRIPTION :
Gene expression and its regulation in eukaryotic cells. Gene organization and chromosome structure.
Mechanisms of replication. Mutations. Mechanisms of DNA damage and repair. Transcription and
regulation of RNA synthesis. Post-transcriptional processes and regulation. Translation and posttranslational modifications. Nucleic acid technology. Structure and roles of noncoding RNA. Genomics
and databases.
P REREQUISITES : 21:120:201, 21:120:202, 21:120:205, and 21:120:206
R EQUIRED T EXT : Clark DP, Pazdernik NJ (2013) Molecular Biology, 2nd Edition, AP Cell Press,
ISBN: 987-0-12-378594-7
M ISSION S TATEMENT
Molecular biology is a lecture-based course whose aims are to take undergraduate students to a
deeper level in the study of the structure of genetic material, gene products and gene expression
mechanisms; to familiarize them with the contemporary methods in molecular biology; to make them
aware of the importance of recombinant DNA techniques; and from a curricular point of view, to
complement the genetics and evolution courses.
L EARNING O BJECTIVES /G OALS :
Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Describe how the structure of DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates contributes to their
specific functions.
2. Describe the central dogma of the flow of genetic information.
3. Describe the intermolecular forces used to promote interactions between DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids,
and carbohydrates.
4. Discuss the roles of non-coding RNAs in regulating gene expression
5. Describe how DNA, RNA, and proteins are synthesized, regulated, and degraded in cells
Page 1
Course
Syllabus/ Fall 2014 120:356
Molecular
Biology
S CHEDULE AND C OURSE O UTLINE : Dates listed by week; lectures will meet twice every week unless
otherwise noted. Weekly dates of quizzes and due dates for written projects are listed, but please note
there will be additional smaller assignments throughout the semester. Due dates for these assignments
will be regularly updated on the course Blackboard site.
W EEK
MEETING TOPIC
READING ASSIGNMENTS
(CLARK’S 2 ND )/EXAMS
Sep 3, 5
Central Dogma of Molecular Genetics; Genomes and DNA
Chapters 3, 4
Sep 10, 12
Manipulation of Nucleic Acids & Polymerase Chain
Reaction
Chapters 5, 6
Sep 17, 19
Cloning Genes for Analysis & DNA Sequencing
Chapters 7, 8
Sep 24
Sep 26
Genomics & Systems Biology
Exam 1 (chapters 3-9)
Chapters 9
Oct 1, 3
Cell Division and DNA Replication; Transcription of Genes
Chapters 10, 11
Oct 8, 10
Processing of RNA & Protein Synthesis
Chapters 12, 13
Oct 15, 17
Protein Structure and Function and Proteomics:
Global Analysis of Proteins
Chapters 14, 15
Oct 22
Regulation of Transcription in Prokaryotes (end of
materials for exam 2)
Exam 2 (chapters 10-16)
Chapter 16
Oct 29, 31
Regulation of Transcription in Eukaryotes & Regulation at
the RNA Level
Chapters 17, 18
Nov 5, 7
Analysis of Gene Expression & Plasmids
Chapters 19, 20
Nov 12, 14
Viruses, Mobile DNA
Chapters 21, 22
Nov 19, 21
Mutation and Repair
Chapter 23
Dec 3,
Dec 5
Recombination
Exam 3 (chapters 17-23)
Chapter 24
Oct 24
Page 2
G RADING P OLICY :
Your grade for this course will be determined based on the categories listed in the table below.
Exam 1
33%
Exam 2
33%
Exam 3
TOTAL
34%
100%
A TTENDANCE , M AKE - UP , AND L ATENESS P OLICY :
Attendance is highly encouraged. If you must miss class for a valid reason, please discuss making up
the missed material with your instructor as soon as possible. Exam attendance policy: No one will be
allowed to start an exam after 15-minutes from the start time of the exam! No exceptions. There are
no make-up exams in this course. If you miss an exam then it will be counted as your dropped grade. If
you must miss an exam because of a religious holiday, court date, medical or family emergency, make
sure to bring documentation.
A CADEMIC D ISHONESTY :
The course has a zero tolerance policy for academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating.
Instances of dishonesty will be punished by a zero on the assignment and consultation with the
Academic Integrity Officers to determine if further action is required. If you have any questions about
what constitutes plagiarism or cheating, please ask your instructors or refer to the academic integrity
websites for Rutgers and NJIT:



http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/academic-integrity-at-rutgers
http://studentconduct.rutgers.edu/
http://www.njit.edu/academics/integrity.php
Page 3