Study Guide

Objectives (course unit)

The student is able to
- explain the key methods used in molecular biology and perform practical exercises under supervision
- describe the basics of recombinant DNA technology and its main applications
- describe the steps of nucleic acid purification
- describe the basics of amplification methods
- understand the basics of hybridization and sequencing methods

Content (course unit)

Molecular biology, isolation and purification of nucleic acids, amplification methods, electrophoresis
Recombinant DNA technology
Hybridization and sequencing methods
Key methods and applications used in diagnostics, research and biotechnology
Human genome, chromosomes, gene structure and expression, mutation types

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student knows how to find information on the subject and is able to share the knowledge in the group. The student demonstrates that he/she has achieved the goals of the core competences of the course. The student knows the basic methods of molecular biology and knows their most common applications in diagnostics, research and biotechnology. The student is familiar with the ethical issues and legislation in the field. The student is able to perform common molecular biology methods in the laboratory with guidance and knows the working safety of the laboratory.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student is able to search for information and critically use the resources. The student is able to bring his / her knowledge to the group. The student is able to use concepts and information in the field consistently. The student knows the principles of the basic methods of molecular biology and knows about the factors that influence them. The student is able to explain the most important research methods and the most common applications in diagnostics, research and biotechnology, and is able to apply the acquired knowledge in professional tasks. The student knows about the ethical issues and legislation in the field. The student is able to apply the most basic molecular biology methods in the laboratory with guidance and is be able to act responsibly, and plan the laboratory activities considering working safety.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student is an expert when using the concepts and knowledge of the field and is able to bring the knowledge to the group as well as to organize the group's activities. The student knows the principles and the factors influencing the basic methods of molecular biology. The student is able to explain in detail the most important research methods and the most common applications in diagnostics, research and biotechnology. The student is to apply the acquired knowledge in professional tasks and is able to justify the decisions through theory and literature. The student is well acquainted with the ethical issues and legislation of the field. The student is able to apply the most common molecular biology methods in the laboratory, to work responsibly and to plan the laboratory activities safely.

Location and time

Schedule of lectures and exercises according to the timetable. A more detailed timetable is available on the course Moodle website.

Exam schedules

Examination according to the timetable.
Re-exams in exams, dates will be announced on the course Moodle page.

Assessment methods and criteria

The course is assessed on a scale of 0-5. All course assignments must have been completed in order to be accepted. The grading criteria and weighting are described in more detail on the course Moodle page.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

The course includes both face-to-face teaching and independent study. Face-to-face teaching will take the form of lectures, laboratory exercises, seminar presentations and exams. During the course, students will complete a course assignment and a laboratory report. In addition, a diary of the laboratory exercises must be kept.

Laboratory exercises, seminars, course assignment, work report, laboratory diary and exam are compulsory for the course.

Learning materials

Material available on Moodle.

In addition, recommended literature:

Clark, David P.. Molecular Biology, Elsevier Science & Technology Books, 2005. ProQuest Ebook Central, https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/tampere/detail.action?docID=269863.

or similar works.

Student workload

Lectures 10 x 1,5h
Exercise 1x1,5h + 6,5h
Seminar presentations 2 x 1,5h
Exam 2h
Laboratory exercises 18h
Work reports 8h
Independent study approx. 130 h

Content scheduling

A more detailed plan can be found on the Moodle page.