Course Syllabus/Fall 2015 120:515 Molecular Biology of Eukaryotes INSTRUCTORS: OFFICE/OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE LOCATION(S): Alexis J. Rodriguez, Ph. D.
Nan Gao, Ph. D.
EMAIL:
[email protected]
[email protected]
LSC 601C COURSE WEBSITE:
Blackboard
MEETING TIME(S): TUES, THUR 5:30 – 6:50PM Boyden 421
COURSE DESCRIPTION: First-year graduate course providing an accelerated review of eukaryotic molecular biology. Introduces critical
reading and discussion of current journal articles. Nucleic acid biochemistry, molecular technology, transcription,
RNA processing, chromosomal structure, molecular anatomy of the genome, genomic rearrangements, gene
control signals, DNA-protein binding, carcinogenesis, and oncogenes PREREQUISITES: Undergraduate Molecular Biology and Biochemistry REQUIRED TEXT: Nancy Craig et al., Molecular Biology: Principles of Genome Function Second Edition ISBN 9780198705970 LEARNING OBJECTIVES/GOALS: FOR EXAMPLE Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:
1. Describe how the structure of DNA, RNA, Proteins, Lipids, and Carbohydrates contributes to their
specific functions.
2. Describe the central dogma of the flow of genetic information.
3. Describe the intermolecular forces used to promote interactions between DNA, RNA, Proteins,
Lipids, and Carbohydrates.
4. Discuss the roles of non-coding RNAs in regulating gene expression.
5. Describe how DNA, RNA, and Proteins are synthesized, regulated, and degraded in cells.
6. Describe the current state of Molecular Biology research through reading and analyzing primary
research manuscripts.
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Course Syllabus/Fall 2015 120:515 Molecular Biology of Eukaryotes SCHEDULE AND COURSE OUTLINE: Dates listed by week; lectures will meet twice every week and recitation will meet every week, unless otherwise noted. Weekly dates of quizzes and due dates for written projects are listed, but please note there will be additional smaller assignments throughout the semester. Due dates for these assignments will be regularly updated on the course Blackboard site. WEEK MEETING TOPIC NOTES/READING ASSIGNMENTS/EXAMS Week 1 Central dogma of the flow of genetic information & Nucleic Acid Structure I Chapters 1 & 2 Week 2 No class & Nucleic Acid Structure II Chapter 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Protein Structure and Function I & Protein Structure and Function II Biological Chemistry and Thermodynamics I & Biological Chemistry and Thermodynamics II Chromosome Structure and Function I & Chromosome Structure and Function II Chapters 2 Chapters 3 Chapter 4 & Week 6 Exam 1 & Transcription I Chapters 1-­‐4 & Chapter 8 Week 7 Transcription II & Transcription Journal Club Chapter 8 & Assigned Manuscripts Week 8 Protein Modification & Protein Trafficking Journal Club Chapter 11 & Assigned Manuscripts Week 9 Protein Modification and Trafficking Journal Club & Exam II Assigned Manuscripts Week 10 RNA processing & Translation I Chapter 9 & Chapter 10 Week 11 Translation II & Translation Journal Club Chapter 10 & Assigned Manuscripts Week 12 Non Coding RNAs I & II Assigned Manuscripts Week 13 Non Coding RNAs Journal Club & No Class Assigned Manuscripts Week 14 Molecular Biotechniques Chapter 16 Week 15 Molecular Biotechniques Assigned Manuscripts DATE OF FINAL EXAM: 12/18/2015 GRADING POLICY: Your grade for this course will be determined based on the categories listed in the table below. Page 2
Point Values Each Exam is worth 33.3% of the final grade Point Values Point Values Point Values Point Values Point Values TOTAL Total Points ATTENDANCE, MAKE-­‐UP, AND LATENESS POLICY: Attendence is highly encouraged. If you must miss class for a valid reason, please discuss making up the missed material with your instructor as soon as possible. All late assignments will have 10 points deducted per week. Academic Dishonesty: The course has a zero tolerance policy for academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating. Instances of dishonesty will be punished by a zero on the assignment and consultation with the Academic Integrity Officers to determine if further action is required. If you have any questions about what constitutes plagiarism or cheating, please ask your instructors or refer to the academic integrity websites for Rutgers and NJIT:
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http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/academic-integrity-at-rutgers
http://studentconduct.rutgers.edu/
http://www.njit.edu/academics/integrity.php
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