BI1CMP1: Cellular and Molecular Principles of Life

Module code: BI1CMP1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: 4

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Phillip Dash, email: p.r.dash@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Renee Lee, email: r.b.y.lee@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 11 December 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Cells are the fundamental unit of all life. In this module you will learn about the structure and organisation of cells, highlighting common features found in all life as well as explaining how the differences between cells are essential for creating the diversity of life on the planet. You will be introduced to major concepts in cell biology and genetics and learn about their application in your specialism. This module will also explore key processes that occur in cells, such as repairing damage and cell division, and will explain how these processes are coordinated as cells work together to form multicellular life.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe the structure and organisation of different types of cells
2. Describe and explain the key processes that allow cells to function such as DNA replication, transcription, translation, DNA repair and how cells capture and utilise energy
3. Describe the processes of cell differentiation, cell communication, apoptosis and tissue organisation and explain how they are involved in multicellularity
4. Conduct experiments and interpret scientific data relating to molecular biology and cell function

Module content

This module will explore: 

The Structure and Organisation of Cells

• Cell structure and compartmentalisation
• Genome organisation and the genetic code
• Common ancestry and the origins of cells

Cellular processes

• Protein synthesis – transcription and translation
• Maintaining genomes
• Repairing damage
• Capturing, storing and using energy

How cells are organised into tissues and organisms

• Evolution of multicellularity
• Differentiation
• Cell communication
• Connecting cells in tissues
• Cell cycle and apoptosis

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, laboratory-based practical classes, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard.

Tutorial sessions will prepare and support students to write a scientific report. They will also be trained on how to make accurate records of experimental work and to perform the relevant calculations.

Study hours

At least 48 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Students taking the BEng Biomedical Engineering programme must also achieve a mark of at least 30% in each assessment.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative practical class assessed by Blackboard test.

Reassessment

Additional costs