Prospectus

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Molecular Cell Biology (MCB)

Course
2024-2025

Admission requirements

Core course for MSc Chemistry – Chemical Biology.
For students with a BSc MST or equivalent. The course will give an overview on the basic principles in molecular cell biology.
This course is not suitable for students with a BSc LST or equivalent. This courses replaces the courses Molecular Biology (MB, 4423MOLBI) and Cell Biology (CEB, 4423CELBI), taught until the academic year 2019-20. Molecular Cell Biology cannot be included in the final examination together with Molecular Biology, Cell Biology or both.

Description

The course introduces the students to the principles of cell biology and Molecular biology. It will start with the fundamental principles of cell-chemistry and biosynthesis for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic species. The role and control/regulation of gene expression, including epigenetics and cell signaling, in relation to cellular diversity in multicellular organisms will discussed in detail. As will be the role of sub-cellular compartments or organellar structures, together with the systems cells use to target proteins to those structures and how post-translational modifications of proteins influence these cellular pathways.
Besides these basics with regard to cell and molecular biology also systems/techniques that can be used to study all these processes will presented. All these aspects of molecular cell biology are being discussed in relation to diseases that results from derailment of these processes, including some potential therapeutic options. The overall goal is that the student will develop an understanding of the importance of knowledge regarding cellular pathways in order to intervein in these in case of a disease.

Course objectives

At the end of the course students:

  • Will have general knowledge of fundamental principles in Molecular Biology and Cell Biology

  • Will have knowledge of the fundamental principles in control of gene expression

  • Will have an overview of the applications of Molecular Biology as a tool to study disease states

  • Will have knowledge of the fundamental principles of molecular derailments causing diseases

  • Can digest and present a summary of a scientific article from the literature

  • Will be able to write abstracts and mini reviews dealing with Molecular Biology and Cell Biology

Timetable

Schedule information can be found on the website of the programmes.

In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.

Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.

Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.

Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.

Mode of instruction

Lectures and instructions in scientific writing

Assessment method

Writing of two scientific essays/mini reviews (70%) and a (group) presentation (30%)

Reading list

Molecular Biology of the Cell, Seventh Edition. By Bruce Alberts et al.
ISBN-13: 978-0393884821
ISBN-10: 0393884821
Slides presented during the courses

Registration

As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.

In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.

There are two enrolment periods per year:

  • Enrolment for the fall opens in July

  • Enrolment for the spring opens in December

See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.

Note:

  • It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.

  • Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.

  • Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.

Contact

Dr. Rolf Boot

Remarks

Assignment deadlines are communicated via Brightspace.

According to OER article 4.8, students are entitled to view their marked examination for a period of 30 days following the publication of the results of a written examination. Students should contact the lecturer to make an appointment for such an inspection session.

Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.