Current Research Topics in Molecular Biology, 15 credits

Contents

The course has a student-centered design, where students read, summarize, present, and discuss a selection of scientific publications within the field of molecular biology. A large part of the course is conducted in the format of a journal club, although lectures are also included. The topics of the articles vary but remain within the scope of molecular biology—for example, microbiology, genetics, cell biology, immunology, neurobiology, physiology, and bioinformatics.
Throughout the course, students discuss the subject area, relevant methodologies, and the structure of scientific articles.

Expected learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following:

Knowledge and understanding
• Identify and describe the typical structure of a scientific article, including the sections abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion.

Competence and skills:
• Apply basic strategies for reading and interpreting scientific articles.
• Search for and extract relevant information from scientific articles based on given questions.
• Summarize and present the content of a scientific article, both in writing and orally, in English.
• Analyze and discuss scientific articles in terms of content, structure, and scientific quality.

Judgement and approach:
• Critically review and evaluate scientific articles with regard to research questions, methodological choices, results, conclusions, quality, ethical aspects, and sustainability.
• Identify their own knowledge needs and take responsibility for their own learning.

Required Knowledge

60 credits from completed courses in biology, including molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, and cell biology; 20 credits from completed courses in chemistry, of which at least 5 credits must be in biochemistry, or 20 credits from a combination of completed courses in chemistry and physics and/or mathematics, of which at least 5 credits must be in biochemistry.

Form of instruction

The course consists of lectures, literature studies, written and oral presentations, and discussions. Great emphasis is placed on student-active learning, with individual responsibility and knowledge-seeking.
Teaching sessions other than lectures include assessed components and are mandatory.
The course includes a total of ten article discussions, so-called journal clubs. The language of instruction is English.

Examination modes

Assessment is based on individual written assignments, presentations, and discussions.
The final grade for the course is one of the following: Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with Distinction (VG). To receive a Pass (G) for the course, the student must actively participate in at least eight out of ten article discussions (journal clubs). Active participation means submitting an approved written assignment prior to the discussion and actively engaging in the discussion itself.
In addition, the student must deliver at least one approved article presentation. To receive a Pass with Distinction (VG), the student must, in addition to fulfilling the requirements for a Pass (G), submit an individual written analysis and reflection graded as Pass with Distinction (VG). This analysis and reflection must be based on at least three of the articles discussed during the course. The final grade is determined once all assessed components have been completed and evaluated.

In case of absence from a mandatory teaching session, the examiner will decide whether the student should complete a replacement assignment or retake the component at a later date.
To pass the course, all assignments must be completed in accordance with the specified requirements.

For students who have not been approved at the regular exam, a new exam will be arranged in accordance with Umeå University's Rules for grades and examinations at undergraduate and advanced level (FS 1.1-574-22). The first re-exam is offered no later than two months after the regular exam. In the cases where the regular exam takes place in May or June, a first re-examination is offered instead within three months of the regular exam. In addition, at least one further re-examination is offered within one year from the regular exam date. If the result is Fail, the student is then referred to the exam the next time the course/module is given.

A student who has failed two examinations for a course or part of a course without a passing result, has the right to have another examiner appointed, unless there are special reasons against it (HF ch. 6 § 22). The request for a new examiner is made to the Deputy Head of the Department of Molecular Biology.

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaptation of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaptation of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaptation of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Other regulations

Crediting
The student has the right to be tested if previous education or corresponding knowledge and skills acquired in professional activities can be credited for the corresponding education at Umeå University. The application for credit is sent to the Studentcentrum. More information about credit transfer can be found on Umeå University's student website and in the Higher Education Ordinance (ch. 6).

Transitional provisions

In the event that the syllabus ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examinations (including the regular examination opportunity) according to the regulations in the syllabus that the student was originally registered on for a period of a maximum of two years from the time that the previous syllabus ceased to apply or that the course ended.