Entry requirements

One of the following is required: (1) The Evolution and Diversity of Organisms, 10 credits, Professional Qualifications in Biology and Scientific Methods, 5 credits, Molecular Biology and Genetics, 10 credits, Microbiology with Infection Biology, 5 credits, and 30 credits in chemistry, 30 credits, or (2) 60 credits in chemistry including 20 credits in biochemistry.

Learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to

• describe different types of cells, especially eukaryotic cells; functional and structural similarities and dissimilarities between them.
• describe structure and function of important biomolecules, organelles and other cellular components.
• understand fundamental facts regarding cellular metabolism, energy transformations and means of communication with other cells.
• understand fundamental facts about cellular processes such as intracellular transports, cellular growth and division and programmed death.
• use common methods to study cells and organelles in the laboratory.
• independently use databases and scientific literature for evaluating information about cellular processes
• compile and evaluate cell biological data in writing, suitable for a scientific content
• reason about ethical aspects related to animal testing

Content

The course is divided into two parts; Cell Biology I and Cell Biology II. Part I deals with the structure of eukaryotic cells, their metabolism, energy transformations, and protein secretion. Also transports over biological membranes and water homeostasis are studied. In part II cell signalling, cytoskeleton proteins, intracellular transports, cell cycle regulation, and cellular differentiation including early embryonal development at cellular level are studied. In Cell Biology II programmed cell death and the immune system cells are dealt with. Several laboratory exercises that are reported written or orally are performed. In connection with these the students also carry out problem-solving exercises with applications from the laboratory exercises. The students perform a literature search on specialised cell types in groups and compile individual texts based on the collected data.

Instruction

Teaching is carried out as lectures, laboratory exercises, seminars and literature projects. Participation in laboratory exercises and literature projects is compulsory.

Assessment

Both courses, Cell biology I 5 credits and Cell biology II 5 credits are examined by written examination. To pass the course, the student must pass both the written examinations, the laboratory exercises and the literature project (5 credits ).