The nature of cells will be investigated at four levels, each larger than the previous one.
1. Study of the components of cells will include the chemical composition and properties of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Within this component will be consideration of the relationship between chemical composition and physical properties extending, in the case of proteins, from amino acid composition to amino acid chain folding and aggregation of protein subunits in quaternary structures.
2. Study of the processes that occur within cells including the role of molecules as energy sources, enzymes, transporters, receptors and structural entities. Within this component will be consideration of the basic principles of metabolism.
3. Study and comparison of the structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Within this component will be consideration of the benefits of the localisation of particular cellular functions and the specific roles of the various sub-cellular components of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells together with their relationships e.g. how they contribute to energy transduction or protein synthesis and secretion.
4. The concept of cellular differentiation and how it has contributed in the evolution and embryonic development of multi-cellular organisms. Within this component will be considered the structure and role of cellular junctions and the concept of gene expression.

- Campbell, N.A., Reece, J.B., Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V. and Jackson, R.l. (2008). Biology. Pearson Education Inc., San Francisco. ISBN 978-0-321-53616-7.
- Jones, A.M., Reed, R. and Weyers, J.D.B. (2003). Practical Skills in Biology. Pearson Education Ltd, Harlow. ISBN 0-13-045141-X.
- Lodish, H., Berk, A., Kaiser, C.A., Krieger, M., Scott, M.P., Bretscher, A., Ploegh, H. and Matsudaira, P. (2008). Molecular Cell Biology. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. ISBN 9871429203142.
- Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K. and Walter P. (2008). Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Science, New York. ISBN 0-8153-4106-7.
- Karp, G. (2005). Cell and Molecular Biology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ. ISBN 0-471-65665-8.
- Cooper, G.M.and Hauseman, R.E. (2007). The Cell. A Molecular Approach. ASM Press, Washington, D.C. ISBN 978-0-87893-220-7.
- Becker, W.M., Kleinsmith, L.J., Hardin, J. and Bertoni, G.P. (2009). The World of the Cell. Pearson Education, Inc., San Francisco. ISBN 978-0-321-55418-5.

Contact time (20 hours theory, 12 hours practical) will be used to highlight specific important topics within the module, to develop your practical skills, to provide feedback regarding progress through the use of individual exercises and discussion groups, and to provide guidance concerning the assessments. Independent study time will be devoted to a programme of guided reading based on text books, articles in popular science journals and internet resources together with the analysis and interpretation of practical findings and preparation for the assessments.

Networked PCs with the current student image.
University Library and the Sciences Learning Resource Centre.
Teaching rooms with appropriate audiovisual aids.
Appropriately equipped laboratories
PCs with access to Blackboard

Students will be required to complete 2 pieces of summative assessment.
1) One 1200-word report based on the practical sessions. (3, 4)
Weighting 50%

2) One 2-hour exam comprising essay questions. (1, 2 & 4)
Weighting 50%

Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via
The inclusion of in-class exercises and discussion, virtual exercises and the opportunity to complete and submit draft work to obtain tutor written feedback