BIOL 401 focuses on essential principles and processes in cell biology and integrates these in the context of molecular biology. This senior-level course considers cell structure and function, bioenergetics, membranes, molecular genetics, and intercellular signalling.
Outline
Unit 1: Cells and Organelles
Unit 2: Membrane Structure and Function
Unit 3: Cell Communication and Signal Transduction
Unit 4: Bioenergetics and Enzymes
Unit 5: Glycolysis, Fermentation, Gluconeogenesis, and the TCA Cycle
Unit 6: Electron Transport, Oxidative Phosphorylation, and Photosynthesis
Unit 7: DNA Structure, Replication, and Repair
Unit 8: Transcription and RNA Processing
Unit 9: The Genetic Code and Protein Synthesis
Unit 10: Gene Regulation and Epigenetic Inheritance
Unit 11: The Cytoskeleton and Cell Motility
Unit 12: Cell Division and the Cell Cycle
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
identify cellular structures and their functions for prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
discuss the metabolic processes of cells and their importance in energy generation and synthesis of cellular building blocks.
describe the structure of DNA and explain the processes of DNA replication, transcription, and translation.
outline the processes of cell division and cell death and their role in genetic diversity and disease.
articulate the components of the cytoskeleton and outline their role in cell motility and muscle contraction.
conduct literature searches and read journal publications in cell biology to write an essay and participate in discussions on topics relevant to cell biology.
apply knowledge of cell biology processes to evaluate topics related to health and disease.
Evaluation
To receive credit for BIOL 401, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent), and a grade of at least 50 percent on each of the course assignments, the midterm examination, and the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
10%
Assignment 2
10%
Assignment 3 (Essay)
20%
Midterm Online Exam
30%
Final Online Exam
30%
Total
100%
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
Bergtrom, G. (2016). Cell and Molecular Biology: What We Know & How We Found Out, 2nd edition. An Annotated Creative Commons (Open Access) iText (Online)
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the BIOL 401 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall grade of at least D (50 percent) on the examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.