Please note: Due to alternative arrangements for teaching and
assessment in place from 18 March 2020 to mitigate against the restrictions in
place due to COVID-19, information shown for 2019/20 may not always be accurate.
Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information
for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Cellular Information |
| Unit code |
BIOC30602 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
H/6
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Mike Jones |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
MOLG22100 and BIOC20001
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Biochemistry |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Life Sciences |
Description including Unit Aims
Students study advanced topics in cellular information networks and genomic information through a series of 24 lectures. These lectures are split into two elements. The first element, Genomic Information, covers molecular biology and genomics. The second element, Information Networks, looks at how cells process information from a range of sources. The unit is be assessed by a single 3 hour examination paper.
The unit aims to develop an understanding of key concepts in cellular information systems including:
Genomic Information
- Advanced material on DNA structure and function
- DNA repair mechanisms to maintain information integrity
- Transcriptional processing of genomic information
- Functional genomics
Information Networks
- Conveying information through the covalent modification of proteins
- Cellular signalling networks
- Metabolic networks
- The failure of signalling processes in obesity and diabetes
Intended Learning Outcomes
- An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the advanced cellular information topics covered in the unit and an ability to keep abreast with recent developments in the field.
- The ability to gather information from the primary scientific literature and to critically evaluate the material and appraise competing theories.
- An understanding of the importance of the cellular information to cell function and homeostasis.
Teaching Information
Lectures.
Assessment Information
Assessment for learning (formative)
Students will undertake the following mock assessment exercises:
Assessment of learning (summative)
The unit will be assessed as follows:
- 100% a 3 hour examination in May/June. Students will be given a choice of essay titles and will be expected to answer 3 questions. The essay marks will be moderated by a second independent marker.
Reading and References
Reviews and primary articles from the current scientific literature.
