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 Molecular Science
Code LIFE237
Coordinator Dr A Boyd
School of Life Sciences
Aboyd@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):
LIFE122  

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 5

     30

   4

 39
Timetable (if known) This refers to timetabled lectures at the start of each laboratory session
  		    This refers to practical sessions in laboratories, including groupwork. There are 5 sessions at 6 h each
  		  This refers to scheduled time for in-course summative assessments
  		 
Private Study 36
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Coursework  2hr  Semester 1  50  Yes    Assessment 1 
Coursework  Completed in practic  Semester 1  20  No reassessment opportunity  Standard UoL penalty applies  Assessment 2 There is no reassessment opportunity,  
Coursework  3 x 45 min tests  Semester 1  30  Yes    Assessment 3 Notes (applying to all assessments) Assessment 237. Objective assessments of cogitive and data handling skills. Assessment 237.1. Will be completion of laboratory tasks (performed in the practical session) to a satisfactory standard (judged against defined marking criteria) together with completion of problems in laboratory manual. Assessment 237.2. Will be three 45 min tests completed during the practical sessions.  

Aims

  • This module aims to:

    Provide students with practical experience in a number of techniques used in molecular biology;

     

  • Equip student to perform analysis of DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis and restriction mapping;

  • Introduce students to PCR based-assays for gene cloning and demonstrate methods used for cloning, and analysing genes

  • Develop in students knowledge and understanding in biomedicine, biotechnology and molecular cell biology, and the ability to apply, evaluate and interpret this knowledge to solve biomolecular problems.

     
    		•

    Learning Outcomes

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

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

    Plan and execute a series of molecular biology experiments to demonstrate practical skills in molecular biology, use laboratory equipment correctly and safely to generate data and manage their time effectively;

     

    Analyse and interpret the validity of experimental data

     

    Teaching and Learning Strategies

    Lecture -

    This refers to timetabled lectures at the start of each laboratory session

    Laboratory Work -

    This refers to practical sessions in laboratories, including groupwork. There are 5 sessions at 6 h each

    Assessment -

    This refers to scheduled time for in-course summative assessments

    Syllabus
    1 

    Session 1
    Assessment of skill level (automatic pipettes, molarity calculations). Transformation of bacteria and plasmid DNA isolation.
     
    Session 2
    Plasmid DNA analysis by restriction enzyme digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis
     
    Session 3
    Experimental determination of a restriction map and gene cloning (Part 1)
     
    Session 4
    Gene cloning (Par t 2)
     
    Session 5
    Determining the size of plasmid inserts using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (Colony PCR)
     
    Session 6
    Data handling session for formative and summative assessments of previously taught analysis skills

    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: