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Advanced study of cellular organisation and interactions with emphasis on the relationships between molecular structure and organelle and cell function.
This course aims to provide an understanding of the relationships between molecular structure and organelle and cell function. Since cellular activity underlies the functioning of all biological organisms, the course will be of interest not only to students with leanings towards physiology, biochemistry, genetics or medicine, but to all biologists. The emphasis is on structure and function rather than biochemistry per se although the basic biochemistry covered in BIOL111 and cell biology in BIOL253/BCHM253 are assumed.This course naturally complements the biochemistry taught in BCHM 221, 222, 301 and 302, the molecular biology and genetics taught in BIOL213, 231, 331 and 331, and the physiology taught in BIOL250, 251, 254, 352, 354 and 355. For those students planning to go on to Honours or Masters level, BIOL351 will be a desirable (and in some cases essential) background for advanced courses in cell biology, biochemistry, genetics and physiology.
As a student in this course, I will:Gain a greater appreciation and understanding of the internal workings of the cell (assessment tasks: in-term test and final exam).Achieve familiarity with some modern laboratory methods used in cell biology, and an understanding of the diversity of experimental approaches that can be taken to investigate cells (assessment tasks: laboratory reports and immunocytochemistry assignment).Comprehend the unity of eukaryotic life - understand that the cell biology of organisms as diverse as plants, fungi and lower animals will help investigations of human biology and disease (assessment task: laboratory reports and final exam).Understand that to build multicellular organisms requires interactions between cells, and the differentiation and specialisation of cells (assessment tasks: in-term test and final exam).Apply existing knowledge of statistics to analyse and interpret experimental data (assessment task: laboratory reports).Synthesise scientific literature to provide necessary background and context for understanding and interpreting experimental data (assessment task: laboratory reports).Transferable Skills RegisterAs a student in this course, I will develop the skills required to:Synthesise information. In everyday life and in many job situations you will be required to read information from different sources, generate your own understanding and develop your own viewpoint. In lectures we will discuss recent research papers and this will develop your abilities to identify the essential elements of research outputs - you will use these skills in report writing.Collect experimental data. Important for research and in governmental and non-governmental organizations. We will conduct research activities in the lab to provide both the real-worldcontext for lectures and to develop hands-on skills in data collection.Analyse data. Important for research, as well as in a number of private-sector organizations. This skill will be further developed when we assist you to analyse the data we generate in the lab.Write a report on findings. Clear written communication is essential for most professional careers.We will provide you with written guidelines on the elements of successful reports, including how best to present data, and we will help you recognise these elements by supplying examples.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
BIOL253 or BCHM253.
It is compulsory to wear a lab coat in the laboratory and can be purchased at the beginning of the year.Where to purchase your lab coats and safety glassesPLEASE NOTE YOU NOW COLLECT FROM THE NEW ERNEST RUTHERFORD BUILDING.To purchase: buy a receipt from the Copy Centre, 2nd floor, Puaka-James Hight building, (payment by eftpos and credit card only – lab coats $32, glasses $10), 9.00 am - 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday.Receipts may then be exchanged in the atrium inside the southern entry to the Ernest Rutherford Building, 8.30 – 10 am and 1.30 – 2.30 pm, Monday to Friday for the first two weeks of the semester.After the first two weeks they can be collected from Ernest Rutherford Room 130 (Chemical Store).
Ashley Garrill
Linda Gay Morris and Reijel Gardiner
Alberts B et al; Molecular Biology of the Cell ; 5th Edition; Garland Science, 2008 (Available on 3 hour Restricted Loan).
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What if I fail part of the course?In BIOL, we require a satisfactory level of achievement in both the theoretical aspects of the discipline and in practical activities. This means you must attend all class activities and submit all items of assessment unless you have a very good reason not to (e.g. medical reasons). A student must attain an average score of at least 40% for in-course assessment and average score of at least 40% in the course exam/test, AND score at least 50% overall for the course, to be awarded a passing grade.
Domestic fee $865.00
International fee $3,788.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see School of Biological Sciences .