Unit information: Molecular Cell Biology in 2028/29

Unit name	Molecular Cell Biology
Unit code	BIOC20001
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Chambers
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	BIOC10003 - Biochemistry: Cellular Composition Or: BIOC10008 - Biochemistry: Cellular Composition (Honours) And: BIOC10004 - Biochemistry: Cellular Processes Or: BIOC10009 - Biochemistry: Cellular Processes (Honours)
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	MOLG22100 – Recombinant DNA Technology
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	School of Biochemistry
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?
This unit explores the regulation of cellular function at a molecular level with an emphasis on the experimental methods used to study cell function. Subject areas include membrane trafficking, signal transduction, regulation of proliferation and cell death, the extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton and cell migration.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit develops material introduced in the Year 1 units Biochemistry: Cellular Composition and Biochemistry: Cellular Processes, deepening understanding of how molecules influence the structures of cells and the dynamics of cellular processes.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

Topics covered in this unit include:

Element 1. Cellular Organisation

• Organisation of eukaryotic cells
• The secretory and endocytic pathways
• Glycosylation

Intracellular protein degradation

Element 2. Cellular Signalling

• GPCR signalling
• Receptor tyrosine kinases
• Phospholipids and calcium
• Serine/threonine kinases
• Kinase cascades

Element 3. Cellular Behaviours

• Communicating and adhesive interactions between cells
• The extracellular matrix
• The actin and microtubule cytoskeleton
• Cell migration

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
After engaging with the unit, students should be able to demonstrate the following:

1. Knowledge and understanding of cellular organisation and the trafficking pathways in cells.
2. Knowledge and understanding of intracellular protein degradation.
3. Knowledge and understanding of selected fundamental molecular mechanisms and concepts involved in intracellular signalling in response to stimulation.
4. Knowledge and understanding of the extracellular matrix, cell-cell adhesions and the cytoskeleton and how these are involved in cell shape and the regulation of cell movement.
5. Knowledge and understanding cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and autophagy.
6. Knowledge and understanding of relevant experimental techniques and how they can be applied to address molecular cell biological questions.
7. The ability to interpret experimental data from molecular cell biological experiments
8. Data analysis and problem-solving skills.
9. The ability to describe molecular cell biology concepts and experimental approaches concisely in written form.

Learning Outcomes
Learning on this unit directly addresses components of the Bristol Skills Profile, including:

• How to express my ideas.
• How to evaluate the research of others.
• How to think critically.
• How to develop ideas and solve problems.
• How to think creatively and innovatively.
• How to analyse and present data.
• Work well as part of a team.
• Confident in using digital tools.
• Able to identify and work with technological advances.
• Ready to adapt to changing and challenging environments.
• Understanding and applying modern experimental strategies.

How you will learn

Teaching in the unit is normally delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, workshops and laboratory classes.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

• Workshops present data and experimental challenges in a similar format to those encountered in summative assessment questions.
• A formative data handling exercise.
• Worked answers and cohort feedback on practical reports and coursework.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

The components that make up the unit assessment are:

• Practicals: 20%
• End of unit exam: 80%

To earn credit for this unit you must normally have made a reasonable attempt at each of the components of the unit assessment. A reasonable attempt requires a student to have undertaken the assessment activity and engaged with its purpose in the academic judgement of the relevant Unit Director, or nominee.

When assessment does not go to plan
Reassessment of the “Practical Assessments” component typically involves completion of one or more laboratory class assessments using model data.
For all other components, reassessment normally involves a second attempt at the same form of assessment.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. BIOC20001).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.