Summative: Submission of a portfolio of tasks (1-5), 100%

Formative assessment and feedback will be given over the portfolio of tasks associated with the module topics. Peer and tutor feedback from formative assessment is designed to guide your successful completion of summative assessment.

The essential (key) text is
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Robrts, K., Walter, P. (2008). Molecular Biology of the Cell, 5th edition. Garland Science. ISBN 0815341067

You may also find the following texts useful
Brown. T.A. (2006). Genomes 3. Garland Science. ISBN 10:0815341385

Turner, P.C., Mc. Lennan, A.G., Bates, A.D. & White M.R.H. (2012). Instant notes in Molecular Biology, 4th edition. Taylor and Francis. ISBN 10:0415684161

PC with word processing package and access to the internet.

The key text will be provided at the beginning of the module.

The module will be delivered through 'Blackboard', a virtual learning environment (VLE), and is supported by the key text 'Molecular Biology of the Cell'. The module will be delivered as nine discrete topics involving activities based around the text and electronic sources. Each topic will involve the completion of one or more tasks to test your understanding of the material. The tasks will be completed as part of a portfolio to be submitted for assessment.

This module is intended to provide the foundation upon which the rest of the course is built and is designed to cover the fundamental principles of molecular biology across a wide range of topics. You will investigate the following: the structure of DNA, how DNA replicates in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, gene and genome structure in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, transcription, RNA processing, RNA structures, the genetic code, translation, posttranslational modification, the levels of protein organisation, DNA binding proteins, structural motifs, outline of gene regulation/control, structure and genetics of immunoglobulins, enzymes/overview of pathway interactions in metabolism.