MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY: FALL SEMESTER, 2009 BIOL 213 SYLLABUS www.tamu.edu/summerslab/ I. Basic Information about the Course and Instructor: Course name: Molecular Cell Biology (Honors) Course number: BIOL 213 Section number: 200 Number of credits: 3 cr. Days and times of class meetings: Mon./Wed./Fri., 9:10-10:00 AM Room number and location of meetings: Room 123 HPCT Instructor name: Dr. Max D. Summers, Distinguished Professor Office location: Room 324, Minnie Belle Heep Bldg. Office hours: Tuesday 4:00-5:00 p.m. for walk-in; or for an appointment contact: 847-9036 or Email [email protected] Office telephone number: (979) 847-9036 Dept./College office telephone number: Dept. Entomology, (979) 845-2516 Fax number: (979) 845- 6305 E-mail address: [email protected] II. Course Description: Provide a strong background in the cellular and molecular aspects of biology with particular emphasis on eukaryotes (From: Texas A&M University Undergraduate Catalog, 2008-2009: http://www.tamu.edu/admissions/catalogs). Student may not take concurrently with, or after the completion of BIOL 413. Prerequisites: BIOL 112; CHEM 227 or concurrent enrollment. III. Course Rationale: Purpose of the course: To: a) provide an opportunity for the student to distinguish the molecular basis of cellular processes and interrelationships in living systems with an emphasis on eukaryotic systems; b) teach the student the introductory “language” and “dictionary” of molecular cell biology; c) provide fundamental insights for the student to initiate and further develop the process of inquiry-based learning and discovery in science; d) establish the basic skills to allow the student to explore and assess their interests in the fields of molecular and cellular sciences for career opportunities; e) provide the student with fundamental knowledge to facilitate the systematic process of problem solving in molecular and cell biology. The major in Molecular Cell Biology provides an appropriate foundation for a career in molecular biology and genetics,Biology 213 - Molecular Cell Biology 2 biotechnology, genetic engineering, M.D./Ph. D. programs or basic biological study and research. Honors MCB 213 can be a special section of the regularly offered MCB 213. It is designed to explore some of the course subject matter in unusual depth for sophomore students. Dependent upon the student's background and interests the subject matter is presented to encourage a variety of inquiry-based activities such as developing initiative, creativity, independent thinking, information synthesis and problem solving skills. Interchange of ideas between and among students is encouraged. How and where course fits into See outline of the Molecular and Cell Biology Degree Plan the studentsʼ degree program: (Bachelor of Science) http://www.tamu.edu/admissions/catalogs/ Benefit to students taking the The students will learn the basic details of molecular and course: cellular processes not only for a practical understanding, but to explore the studentsʼ interests and potential for continued or advanced studies. Course content will give the student an introductory and general background of molecular systems in cells and their significance in biology, medicine and agriculture. IV. Prerequisites/Corequisites: Prerequisites: BIOL 112, Introductory Biology; CHEM 227, Organic Chemistry I, or concurrent enrollment. Specific knowledge and skills The student should have a fundamental knowledge of general for course success: biology and of the structure and chemistry of organic molecules which are the fundamental structural units of macromolecules. This is available in BIOL 113, 114 (Introductory Biology), BIOL 123, 124 (Introductory Lab) and Chem 227 (Organic Chemistry I). The student will be expected to learn, know and describe the basic chemical and molecular structures of selected major structural macromolecular components of cells (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates); and to distinguish how these molecules and macromolecules interact and function in cellular system(s). The student will be expected to have or develop the appropriate skills to communicate (write, discuss, analyze, evaluate and debate) using the language of introductory molecular cell biology. V. Course Goals/Objectives: What students should learn The student should learn the elements of: a) the molecular basis from the course: of cellular function; b) why there is molecular specificity of structure and function for certain cellular/tissue systems; c) why the living process requires a significant amount of energy in a biologically usable form; d) how biologically usable forms of energy are used and recycled; e) the molecular consequences of errors in metabolism, gene structure or function; f) how molecules and macromolecules interact in cells and eukaryotic systems to carry out specific functions and form cellular structures; g) theBiology 213 - Molecular Cell Biology 3 basic techniques to study macromolecule structure, function and interactions in cells and organelles; h) how gene expression and cellular functions are regulated in cells. The student is expected to develop the skills to communicate details of molecular biology both verbally and graphically in answers to discussion questions on exams, on specific problem(s) as assigned, and during discussions in class and review sessions. Instructor and student Instructor: The instructor will strive to: a) identify and objectives; communicate details, facts and an overview of molecular and cellular systems. b) present the “language” and definitions of molecular cell biology and inform the students of how to access additional information; c) inform students of some of the experimental approaches used to study and explore molecular and cellular biology; c) expose the student to the fundamentals of scientific discovery and approaches to problem solving and information synthesis. The professor articulates and sets the standards for evaluation of student performance. Students: The student should be prepared to devote the time required to comprehend and communicate the basic language and dictionary of molecular cell biology. The student will be expected to communicate these concepts both verbally and in writing using the scientific language of the field. The student should be prepared to distinguish and compare