PC with word processing package and access to the internet.

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

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.

Summative: Submission of a portfolio of tasks (1-5), 60%
Essay (critical review) [1-5] 40%

PASS CRITERIA
Grade points 7 - 9. Coherence and soundness in response. Good understanding of the fundamental concepts, evidence of working beyond delivered material with good use of relevant procedures/examples.
Tasks competently completed.
Structure is appropriate although there are weaknesses.

MERIT CRITERIA
Grade points 10 - 12. Showing breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Assignments are expressed cogently and lucidly. Work is of good quality, well balanced and relevant, able to represent findings/arguments in a clear, coherent manner with supporting evidence. Well-focused observations and the addressing of all the key questions. Evidence of wide reading and a thorough critical analysis of the available literature. Good synthesis and evaluation. Theory and practice well linked.

DISTINCTION CRITERIA
Grade points 13 - 15. Substantial evidence of originally and creativity in response. Shows all the qualities of accomplished work, but exhibits them to a high degree. Accurate and thorough understanding of the subject matter. Much evidence of well incorporated background reading from the literature, beyond the study guide. Excellent use of relevant procedures/examples. Tasks thoroughly and comprehensively completed with presentation and structure of a very high quality.

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.

The essential (key) text is
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Robrts, K., Walter, P. (2002). Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition. Garland Science. ISBN 1-40510-120-2

You may also find the following texts useful
Brown. T.A. (2002). Genomes, 2nd edition. Bios publishing. ISBN 1-85996-029-4

Turner, P.C., Mc. Lennan, A.G., Bates, A.D. & White M.R.H. (2000). Instant notes in Molecular Biology, 2nd edition. Bios Scientific Publishers. ISBN 1-85996-056-1