NES1301 : Molecular Biology of the Cell
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Available to incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students
- Module Leader(s): Dr James Stach
- Lecturer: Dr Vasilios Andriotis, Dr Maxim Kapralov, Dr Patricia Lopez-Calcagno, Dr Thomas Howard
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module aims to provide a broad introduction to the molecular biology of the cell; workshops will provide free enquiry opportunities. Seminars introduce students to current research in each of the themes to broaden and deepen student knowledge. The assessment challenges students to produce communication materials to enhance the module’s learning aims by researching an area of their choosing within the module themes.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module is organised into 8 themes
1. Evolution of Life
- Origin of life, life without a membrane.
- Cellular evolution - the Prokaryotes, the origin of Eukaryotes
- Tree of Life - History and current basis on molecular evidence
2. Prokaryotes
- Extremophiles – early life and exobiology
- Diversity
3. Viruses
- Structure
- Replication
4. First cells and multicellularity.
- Origin of cells
- Single-celled organisms
5 - 6. Cell structure, function and specialisation
- Structure
- Organisation
- Specialist functions
7 – 8 . Gene expression and control
- Transcription control
- Repression and activation
- Operons
- Eukaryotic gene expression
- Post-translational control
- Non-coding RNAs
9. Protein evolution
- Neutral and positive substitution
- Enzyme function
- microadaptation
10. Molecular mechanism of cell specialisation
- DNA rearrangement
- DNA methylation
- Regulatory circuits
10-12. Genome evolution
- Genome duplication
- Genome reconstitution
- Plant genomes
- Synthetic genomes
13-14. Cell signalling and communication
- Reception
- Transduction
- Response
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 14 | 1:00 | 14:00 | Present in person with supplementary material available online |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 12:00 | 12:00 | Preparation and Completion of the MCQ Inspera exam and student presentations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Seminars present in person with supplementary material available online |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Present in person with supplementary material available online |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 165:00 | 165:00 | N/A |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide the framework and theory for appreciation of the molecular biology of the cell and its evolution. Directed reading and links to further information will encourage individual learning and will contribute to greater understanding of the topics within the module. The assessments will provide team-working opportunities and student autonomy in their learning. The intention of the assessment is to help transition students from consumers of information, to researchers and communicators of knowledge.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 70 | Inspera MCQ Exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design/Creative proj | 1 | M | 30 | Group digital presentation on student-led area within module themes |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The exam will test student understanding of the key module themes. This ensures that the key foundational concepts, which are required throughout their degree, are present and secure. The rationale for presentations is to introduce students early to autonomy in their learning, to demonstrate how to read within and beyond module content and how to communicate professionally with peers and academics.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES1301's Timetable