Students will be required to complete 2 pieces of summative assessment.

1) A portfolio based on short tests related to the laboratory work they have conducted to evaluate their understanding of the experiment, the analysis of the data as well as planning for future experiments. (Learning outcomes 2,3,4 and 5) Weighting 50%

2) Two 1-hour exams, one at the end of semester 1, the genetics component, the other at the end of semester 2, the cell biology component (Learning outcomes 2 and 5) Weighting 50%

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment):

The use of short answer tests for the practical work will allow rapid feedback, allowing students to assess their progress on this part of the course.

Brown, T. A. 2010. Gene Cloning and DNA Analysis. 6th ed. Wiley-Blackwell

Brown, T. A. 2011. Introduction to Genetics: A Molecular Approach. Garland Science

Coico, R. and Sunshine, G. (2009) Immunology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.

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 Co., New York.

Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K. and Walter P. (2008). Molecular Biology of the Cell. Garland Science, New York.

Jones, A., Reed, R. and Weyers, J. (2003). Practical Skills in Biology. Pearson Education Ltd, Harlow, UK.

20 x 1 hour lectures developing the genetics and cell biology and immunology (classical and molecular) from level 4.

44 hours of workshops associated with the practical component of the module - these will be given before and after the practicals - covering the theory of the techniques as well as the interpretation of data.

12 three-hour practicals covering the major techniques of genetics and molecular biology relevant to their applications in disease diagnostics.

Independent Study Hours
Preparation for workshops - one week in advance - 22 hours

Data analysis from the practicals - 24 hours

Preparation for practical assessment - 12 hours

Extension of material in lectures and workshops - work related to assessment 142 hours

This module is designed to integrate theory and practice, and to develop students' critical thinking and experimental design skills both of which will contribute to their employability.

Broadly, the module aims to develop the introductory genetics, immunology and cell biology from Level 4 beyond the fundamentals, through level 5 and as a support to level 6 modules. The application of genetics and molecular biology to modern cell biology with particular emphasis towards human genetics and health will be a major theme, though the general application will also be considered at all points.

The content will include the architecture of the genome, karyotyping, recombination, linkage and mapping. Discussion of the mosaic structure of eukaryotic genes, leads to RNA splicing and the control of gene expression (regulatory elements, promoters, terminators), imprinting and epigenetics. Cell differentiation and specialisation with a focus on the immune system follows from the control of gene expression. Within this section will be consideration of immunisation, vaccine production and immunological memory together with disorders of the immune system including hypersensitivities, immune deficiencies and autoimmunity. Rejection of transplanted organs and tissues will also be considered.

The tools for genetic engineering and analysis, restriction enzymes, DNA ligase, vectors and gene libraries, their construction ¿ genomic and cDNA libraries will be covered followed by the various methods of selecting individual genes from libraries. Nucleic acid hybridisation (northern and Southern blotting), DNA sequencing and the polymerase chain reaction will be covered in workshops prior to the practicals as major techniques in DNA technology. The practical component will include some basic techniques of molecular biology related to DNA analysis and genotyping, including purification and gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids, hybridisation technology, polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. Protein analysis using SDS-PAGE, western blotting will be introduced. Consideration will be given to that information can be gleaned from genetic data.
Overall the practical component consists of the fundamental techniques of molecular biology and cell biology related to genetic analysis.

- Suitably equipped classrooms and laboratories
- Access to University Library and Sciences Learning Resource Centre
- Access to Blackboard and the Internet The internet is a very important resource for this module and the students will be encouraged to make wide use of it.
- Video material is also available in the Learning resource Centre.

On the local server are two CD-ROMS highly relevant to the course -

- The Roche Genetics Educational Program - the first section "Introduction to Genetics" is important introductory material.
- PCCAL "Introduction to Recombinant DNA Technology (v2.0). This is full of relevant important material to which you will be directed.