LSC-10066 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

This module is an introduction to molecular cell biology. Starting with the cell as the basic unit of life, you will look at the subcellular architecture of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. You will explore the diversity of prokaryotic cells and you will also look at the incredible diversity of cells within a multicellular organism and how these cells interact with and communicate with each other. You will find out the important roles of cellular membranes and be introduced to key signalling pathways. You will discover the importance of the genetic material and how the information stored in DNA is processed via RNA intermediates to produce proteins and how this genetic information is passed from one generation to the next (at the cellular and organismal levels). You will look in detail at structures of nucleic acids and compare and contrast the processes of transcription and translation in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and how these different types of cells control which genes are expressed. You will be introduced to how we can exploit some of the DNA processing enzymes used by bacterial cells for recombinant DNA technology and will investigate some of the bioethical implications of research used to study our genomes or create new DNA molecules.
The module follows a flipped learning approach. Core material (lectures) and supporting materials will be delivered asynchronously via the KLE. This will be supported by live core material consolidation lectures and workshops that enable application of the core knowledge.
On this module, the assessments are designed to support your learning not only by testing your knowledge and understanding, but also to help you to develop some of your key communication skills.

This module introduces students to the fundamentals of molecular cell biology, focusing on the mechanisms involved in the storage, processing and controlling the expression of the genetic information and the subcellular locations thereof. We investigate how cells within a multicellular organism interact with and communicate with each other. The module also looks at the diversity of cells and organisms, showing how genetic diversity is generated and how evolutionary pressures contribute to the wide biodiversity of organisms.
The workshop programme aims to equip students with, problem solving, bioethics, communication and analytical skills.

Intended Learning Outcomes

describe and compare the architecture of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, explaining the roles of cellular organelles and the cellular and molecular interactions involved in the formation of tissues: 1,2
explain the fundamental differences between the processes of bacterial cell division and mitosis and meiosis in eukaryotic cells and the implications these different types of cell division have on the genetic diversity of offspring (Mendelian genetics): 2
describe the chemical structure and function of the key nucleic acids and the molecular mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription and processing of RNA molecules, explaining how these differ in prokaryotes and eukaryotes: 2
compare and contrast the processes of translation and post-translational processing of proteins in prokaryotes and eukaryotes: 2,4
describe some of the major mechanisms of controlling gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes and relate phenotypic diversity of cells within a multicellular organism to differences in gene expression: 4
describe the major mechanisms for generation of genetic variation at the level of DNA and relate phenotypic diversity of prokaryotes and eukaryotes to the process of evolution by natural selection: 2
discuss the structure and properties of biological membranes and describe the general mechanisms by which molecules are transported across them: 4
describe the different types of intra- and inter-cellular signalling systems in eukaryotic cells: 4
describe the practical applications of some of the naturally occurring DNA processing enzymes in recombinant DNA technology and the ethical implications of their use: 3,4
communicate in a variety of different formats to different audiences, e.g. bioethics blog discussing the implications of animal experimentation, oral presentation: 1,3

Study hours

Active learning hours
9 x 1.5 hour live workshops
8 x 1 hour lectures (core material consolidation)
2 x 1 hour tutorials (assessment preparation)
90.5 structured engagement with online activities (9 topics at10 hours per topic)
Independent study hours
2 x 2 hour completion of online class tests and exam
2 x 65 hour reading and revision for class test and exam
52 hours completion of the communication skills portfolio assessments

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment