Time Schedule:
Merrill B Hille
BIOL 401
Seattle Campus
Selected topics in molecular cell biology. Strong emphasis on reading and interpreting primary research literature. Writing intensive course. Prerequisite: either BIOL 355 or BIOC 442.
Class description
Because there are many students trying to get into this class, you must be present the first day to retain your place in the class.
The sections will usually meet in Computer Rooms in MGH. The AA 9:30-11:20 section will meet in MGH 058 and have MACs available. The AB 12:30 to 2:20 section will meet in MGH 030 and have PCs available. Sign up for sections accordingly. The subject of Biology 401 during W 2008 will be the regulation of the cell cycle. We will examine check points and other regulatory events from replication to cell division. Both mitosis and meiosis will be included. The course encourages and teaches students to move from rote learning to using and integrating knowledge in solving problems. Biology 401 is a writing course and students will receive extensive feedback from instructors on writing.
Student learning goals
(1) How scientists formulate questions about cell biology.
(2) How to find original research papers on Entrez PubMed.
(3) How to analyzing and interpret research data.
(4) How to integrate information from several sources.
(5) How to express ideas in writing and orally in a clear concise manner.
(6) A lot about the regulation of the cell cycle: mitosis and meiosis.
General method of instruction
The general method of instruction will be to ask biological questions and to learn how experiments are designed and carried out to answer these questions. The students will learn how to analyze data from experiments. After analyzing the data (e.g. micrographs, protein gels, graphs) the students will be taught how to write results paragraphs in a scientific manner, and how to integrate the knowledge from the results into a discussion of how the cell functions. The students will then integrate the parts into scientific papers. The lectures will be on materials related to the written assignments and are of the same philosophy. After introducing biological questions and concepts, we will discuss how experiments are designed to answer these questions and how the data is analyzed and interpreted. Areas of cell biology covered vary, but Autumn 2008 will be the regulation of cell division, including cell signaling.
Recommended preparation
Students should have a working knowledge of Biology 200 and Biology 355, That is students should feel comfortable discussing how molecules function in cells. Alternative courses which help prepare students for this course are Genetics 371 or 372 or Biochemistry 405 and406, and Biochemistry 440, 441 and or 442.
Class assignments and grading
There will be two 5 page papers based on the interpretation of data, and which will increase in complexity as the quarter proceeds, which the students will present orally to the class. The number of exam is pending. The exams will be on the lecture material and the material presented by other students. The exams will address how questions in biology are answered by experiments.
Two 5-page written assignments and oral presentations will comprise about 70% of the grade. The exams comprise about 30% of the grade.
