BL2309 Applied Molecular Biology

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 8

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: 10.00 am Thu, Fri (odd weeks) 10.00 am Wed, Thu, Fri (even weeks) Practicals: 2.00 - 5.00 pm Thu or Fri (weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr S A Young

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Techniques in molecular biology represent a powerful box of tools that are used to address a wide variety of modern research questions across a broad range of biological disciplines including; ecology, biotechnology, cell biology, medicine, conservation biology, infectious disease, evolution, genetics and synthetic biology. Key molecular biology techniques will be introduced in the context of case studies that will provide examples of how molecular biology techniques are being used in cutting edge research to address real-life questions and problems that impact health, food security, the environment and the economy.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL1101 AND PASS BL1102

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

2-Hour Written Examination = 50%, Existing Coursework = 50% (if Exam failed) Existing Examination = 50%, New Coursework = 50% (if Coursework failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (if coursework and exam failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (for Qualified Honours Entry)

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Across the semester: 23 x 1h lectures, 3 x 1h tutorials, 4 x 3h practicals

Scheduled learning hours

39

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

111

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

BL2309 Applied Molecular Biology

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 8

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Lectures: 110.00-11.00am Thursday and Friday (weeks 1,3,5,7,9&12); 10.00-11.00am Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (weeks 2,4,6,8&11) Practicals: 2.00-5.00pm Thursday or Friday (weeks 2,4,6,8&11)

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr S A Young

Dr S A Young
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Team taught

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

Techniques in molecular biology represent a powerful box of tools that are used to address a wide variety of modern research questions across a broad range of biological disciplines including; ecology, biotechnology, cell biology, medicine, conservation biology, infectious disease, evolution, genetics and synthetic biology. Key molecular biology techniques will be introduced in the context of case studies that will provide examples of how molecular biology techniques are being used in cutting edge research to address real-life questions and problems that impact health, food security, the environment and the economy.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS BL1101 AND PASS BL1102

Assessment pattern

2-hour Written Examination = 50%, Coursework = 50%

Re-assessment

2-Hour Written Examination = 50%, Existing Coursework = 50% (if Exam failed) Existing Examination = 50%, New Coursework = 50% (if Coursework failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (if coursework and exam failed) 2-hour Written Examination = 100% (for Qualified Honours Entry)

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Across the semester: 23 x 1h lectures, 3 x 1h tutorials, 4 x 3h practicals

Scheduled learning hours

111

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Identify a range of key techniques that are commonly used in molecular biology
  • Describe the concepts behind key molecular biology techniques, which generally require the manipulation of DNA, RNA, protein or lipid
  • Discuss examples of how molecular biology techniques are used to address current questions and problems across a broad range of biological disciplines
  • Learn about the large scale omic approaches in biology with the integrated experimental design and data analysis
  • Gain an understanding of molecular evolution and the application of comparative genomics
  • Understand the molecular basis of evolution in ecology