BIO4106 Experimental Molecular Cell Biology

    • Number of credits
      5
    • Teaching semester
      2024 Autumn, 2025 Spring
    • Language of instruction
      English
    • Campus
      Hamar
    • Required prerequisite knowledge

      The student must have a background in molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry at the BSc level. 

Course content

This laboratory course gives practical hands-on experience with selected methods and techniques used in molecular cell biology. The course represents the practical counterpart of the theoretical methodology courses BIO4102 Methods in Cell biology and Reproductive Biotechnology and BIO4104 Methods in Molecular Biology. The course is offered over two semesters.  The actual content of the course is updated every year to accommodate the most recent methods. Some examples of the covered techniques are:  

  • Experimental design, including the use of positive and negative control reactions. 
  • Culturing of mammalian cells. 
  • Immunological methods. 
  • Imaging of mammalian cells using fluorescence microscopy. 
  • RNA extraction, quality control (purity and integrity). 
  • Reverse transcription of RNA to cDNA. 
  • Quantitative PCR (qPCR). 
  • Amplicon sequencing. 
  • Data analysis and interpretations. 

Learning Outcome

Upon passing the course, students have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

Students

  • have advanced practical hands-on experience in selected methods in molecular cell biology. 
  • have thorough knowledge of the basic principles and applications of selected methods in molecular cell biology. 
Skills

Students

  • can perform advanced laboratory techniques in molecular cell biology.  
  • can design and conduct an experimental study in molecular cell biology. 
  • can practice critical evaluation of the data and the conclusions. 
  • can analyze and present experimental data both in oral and written form. 
General competence

Students

  • possesses a theoretical and practical basis for further advanced academic studies or professional practice in areas, both industry and science, related to molecular biology. 
  • have the ability to work separately and in teams. 
Teaching and working methods
  • Practical laboratory exercises 
  • Group work 
  • Lectures  
  • Seminars  
  • Written assignments and/or oral presentations 
  • Self-study 

Normally, evaluation of all courses must be carried out. Time/date and method are decided in consultation with student representatives. The course coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the evaluation is carried out. 

Required coursework
  • Attendance of at least 90% for scheduled laboratory exercises, seminars, and group activities. 
  • Two individual reports must be passed.
Form of assessment
  • Poster presentation and oral examination

Performance is assessed as Pass/Fail.

Assessments
Form of assessmentGrading scaleGroupingDuration of assessmentSupport materialsProportionComment
Oral examination
Passed - not passed
100
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Ecology, Agricultural Sciences and Biotechnology
Department
Department of Biotechnology