Module Specification
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Techniques in Cell Biology
Code LIFE227
Coordinator Dr BR Barraclough
Biochemistry
Brb@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2016-17 Level 5 FHEQ First Semester 7.5

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
None 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Co-requisite modules:
 

Linked Modules:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 3.5
Briefings of the entire class 5 x 30 min + 1 h =3.5h
    30.5
Planning and carrying out experiments and exercises based on the experiments being carried out
  1
Feedback opportunity
35
Timetable (if known) This refers to timetabled lectures
  		    This refers to sessions taking place in laboratories. Students will need to leave the laboratory at times to seek information from outside sources.
  		     
Private Study 40
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Unseen Written Exam  2 hours  Semester 1  50  Yes    Exam 
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Practical Assessment  Throughout module  Semester 1  20  No reassessment opportunity    Practical assessment There is no reassessment opportunity,  
Coursework  appr. 2 hours  Semester 1  30  Yes  Standard UoL penalty applies  Coursework Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 1 MCQ tests (multiple choice questions) and data analysis questions. Assessment 2 will be completion of laboratory tasks (performed in the practical session) to a satisfactory standard. Assessment 3 will be coursework completed outside of the practical sessions.   

Aims
  1. This module aims to:
  2. Provide students with a practical training in a number of techniques used in cell biology;
  3. Train students in microscopy and the ability to use different microscopic techniques to analyse structure and function.
  4. Give the students further experience in culture of micro-organisms.
  5. Enhance analytical skills and information gathering skills.
  6. Reinforce the need for statistical analysis of biological systems.
  7. Give the students experience of succinctly writing reports of the results of experiments.
  8. Expose the students to skills of scientific drawing.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

 
Present, critically evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, and record procedures and protocols;

Learn to manage time effectively;

 
Plan and execute a series of experiments, use microscopes and other laboratory equipment correctly and safely to generate data;
Analyse data, interpret validity and apply statistical analyses;
Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of biotechnology, biomedicine and molecular cell biology, and how this knowledge has been applied to solve problems.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lecture - Briefings of the entire class 5 x 30 min + 1 h =3.5h

This refers to timetabled lectures

Laboratory Work - Planning and carrying out experiments and exercises based on the experiments being carried out

This refers to sessions taking place in laboratories. Students will need to leave the laboratory at times to seek information from outside sources.

Formative Feedback (e.g. peer, revision sessions) - Feedback opportunity

Syllabus
1 

Week 1/2

a.m. Bacterial structure and function. Use of microscopy and biochemical and physiological tests to characterise an unknown bacterium.
 
p.m. Hormone response in a model plant species. Use of mutants and reporter genes to investigate the response to auxin in Arabidopsis thaliana.
 
Week 3
Histology and immunocytochemistry on mouse gut.

Week 4
a.m. Start experiments on Bacillus swarming and Dictyostelium aggregation/differentiation. Excercises on Dictyostelium slug formation and signalling.
p.m. Further topics in histology.  Quantitative data from histology.
 
Week 5
a.m. Complete Bacillus swarming and Dictyostelium experiments.
p.m.  Feedback review.  Mock end of module test. 
 
Week 6
Assessment. Final assessment. Experimental data and report. MCQs

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.
Explanation of Reading List: