• Basic information
• Learning outcomes
• Contents
• Assessment
• Workload

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Obtain the basic knowledge of the structure and organization of the genome, DNA and RNA.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. To be able to define general concepts and problems related to Molecular Biology and Genetics and to produce solutions.
   2. To be able to define life forms and their relationship with their environment.
   3. To be able to comprehend the history and nature of scientific thinking and to apply them to problems in the field.

   Method of assessment

   1. Written exam
2. Define the basic mechanisms of transcription, splicing translation, recombination and DNA repair.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. To be able to define general concepts and problems related to Molecular Biology and Genetics and to produce solutions.
   2. To be able to define life forms and their relationship with their environment.

   Method of assessment

   1. Written exam
3. Explain how the gene expression is controlled.

   Contribution to Program Outcomes

   1. To be able to define general concepts and problems related to Molecular Biology and Genetics and to produce solutions.
   2. To be able to define the structure-function relationship at the molecular level in cells and organisms.
   3. To be able to define life forms and their relationship with their environment.
   4. To be able to work individually, make independent decisions and participate actively in multidisciplinary group studies.

   Method of assessment

   1. Written exam
   2. Homework assignment

Contents
Week 1:	Nucleic asids: Explains the building block of the DNA, the nucleic asids, the experimental evidences showing that genes control amino acid sequences in proteins, and the central dogma.
Week 2:	DNA and RNA : Describes the structures of DNA and RNA, DNA topolgy, similarities and differences between DNA and RNA.
Week 3:	The structure of genome: It explains the organization of genome into chromosomes, duplication and segregation of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis.
Week 4:	Nucleosomes and chromatin: It explains the principles and regulation of nucleosome and chromatin structure and assembly.
Week 5:	Mid-term exam
Week 6:	DNA replication I: It explains the chemistry of DNA synthesis, mechanisms of DNA polymerase and interactions between replication fork proteins.
Week 7:	DNA replication II: Explains the mechanisms and protein interactions which initiates and finishes replication.
Week 8:	The mutability and repair of DNA: Explains the nature of mutations, repair mechanisms of replication errors and DNA damage.
Week 9:	Homologous recombination at molecular level: Explains homologous recombination, protein machines that regulate recombination, and its role in meiosis.
Week 10:	Mid-term exam
Week 11:	Expression of the genome I (Transcription): Explains the mechanisms of transcription initiation and termination in bacteria and eukaryotes.
Week 12:	Expression of the genome II (RNA Splicing): Explains the chemistry and pathways of RNA splicing and alternative splicing.
Week 13:	Expression of the genome III (Translation): Explains the mechanisms that regulate the protein synthesis in bacteria and eukaryotic cells.
Week 14:	Control of gene expression: Explains the control of gene expression with the emphasis on how genetic switches work, and how chromatin structure is regulated during expression.
Week 15*:	Presentations of homeworks.
Week 16*:	Final exam
Textbooks and materials:	Watson, J.D., et al. Molecular Biology of the Gene. 6. ed. The Benjamin/Cummings Pub. Co., Menlo Park, California, 2008.
Recommended readings:	Alberts, B., et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 5. ed. Garland Pub., New York, 2008.
	* Between 15th and 16th weeks is there a free week for students to prepare for final exam.

Assessment
Method of assessment	Week number	Weight (%)
Mid-terms:		0
Other in-term studies:		0
Project:		0
Homework:		0
Quiz:	3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13	60
Final exam:	16	40
	Total weight:	(%)

Workload
Activity	Duration (Hours per week)	Total number of weeks	Total hours in term
Courses (Face-to-face teaching):	3	14
Own studies outside class:	3	14
Practice, Recitation:	2	14
Homework:	2	3
Term project:	0	0
Term project presentation:	0	0
Quiz:	1	6
Own study for mid-term exam:	2	8
Mid-term:	0	0
Personal studies for final exam:	2	14
Final exam:	1	1
		Total workload:
		Total ECTS credits:	*
	* ECTS credit is calculated by dividing total workload by 25. (1 ECTS = 25 work hours)