Download Molecular Biology I

Course
Specifications
Valid as from the academic year 2016-2017
Molecular Biology I (C003362)
Course size
Credits 4.0
(nominal values; actual values may depend on programme)
Study time 117 h
Contact hrs
32.5 h
Course offerings and teaching methods in academic year 2016-2017
A (semester 1)
lecture
30.0 h
seminar
7.5 h
Lecturers in academic year 2016-2017
Declercq, Wim
WE14
Offered in the following programmes in 2016-2017
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Biotechnology
Linking Course Master of Science in Biochemistry and
Biotechnology
lecturer-in-charge
crdts
4
4
offering
A
A
Teaching languages
Dutch
Keywords
Molecular Biology, replication, transcription, translation, prokaryotes
Position of the course
Acquire a thorough knowledge of the structure, function and characteristics of DNA and
RNA, and the molecular processes that are involved in molecular biological information
transfer in prokaryotes (DNA synthesis, DNA repair, replication, transcription,
translation)
Contents
General properties of DNA and RNA, structure of DNA and RNA, DNA as a
macromolecule (MW, shearing, circularity, supercoiling), DNA enzymology
(polymerases, starter and template requirements, topoisomerases, helicases,...),
properties of DNA replication (semi-conservative, Cairns theta model, bi-directionality,
rolling circle, Okazaki fragments), molecular biology of replication (replication enzymes,
in vitro reconstitution, continuous and discontinous synthesis, primosome, replisome),
DNA repair (hydrolases, glycosidases, NER, BER), DNA recombination, transcription
(lac operon, polymerase, promotors) and translation in procaryotes (properties and
molecules involved).
In the work colleges a few scientific articles in relation to the course will be discussed.
Initial competences
Foreknowledge of elementary concepts of molecular biology are required. This course
extends the very basic knowledge that was aquired during the course 'Introduction to
the life sciences' given in the first bachelor.
Final competences
1 The student will have a thorough understanding of the structure and properties of
1 DNA and RNA, and the molecular events involved in DNA synthesis, DNA repair and
1 recombinantion, transcription and translation in prokaryotes.
2 Use of fundamental molecular biology knowledge for the identifcation of basis
1 biotechnological applications.
3 Use knowledge of supporting basic coures to understand molecular biology
1 processes.
4 Understand and apply basic techniques in gene technology, molecular biology and
1 genetics.
5 Understand the importance of techniques and modelsystems in molecular biology.
(Approved)
1
6 Define aspects of molecular biological problems.
7 Define new questions based on existing knowledge.
8 Knowledge of the specific jargon used in molecular biology (Dutch and English).
Conditions for credit contract
Access to this course unit via a credit contract is determined after successful competences
assessment
Conditions for exam contract
This course unit cannot be taken via an exam contract
Teaching methods
Lecture, seminar
Learning materials and price
Printed course distributed by 'Chemica', powerpoint presentations available via
Minerva, additional info and interesting scientific reviews available via Minerva.
Cost course: about €15
References
Books:
Molecular Biology of the Gene; Seventh Edition. J. Watson, T.A. Baker, S.P. Bell, A.
Gann, M. Levine, R. Losick. CSH Laboratory Press.
Genes XI; B. Lewin; Jones & Bartlett Publishers
Molecular Biology of the Cell; B. Alberts, A. Johnson, J. Lewis, M. Raff, K. Roberts and
P. Walter; Garland Science, New York.

Course content-related study coaching
Student coaching during regular lessons and work colleges. One part of the work
colleges is dedicated to questions about the course by the students. Individual contact
with the lecturer, exchange of information via mail and Minerva website.
Evaluation methods
end-of-term evaluation
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the first examination period
Written examination with open questions, oral examination
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the second examination period
Written examination with open questions, oral examination
Examination methods in case of permanent evaluation
Possibilities of retake in case of permanent evaluation
not applicable
Calculation of the examination mark
The score is the result of the sum of the score for the writen exam (50%) and the oral
exam (50%), unless the student does not meet the specific requirements regarding the
oral examination, which will lead to a score of less than 10/20. Within the oral exam, the
student questioned about the chapters 1 to 6 and the section "Applications of basic
molecular biological knowledge. If the student's oral examination provides insufficient
evidence of knowledge of one of these chapters, this will lead to a total score of less
than 10/20 for this course, even if the sum of the partial results would yield higher
results.
(Approved)
2