Admission requirements
Advice: elementary knowledge of Cell Biology, Cell Signaling and Molecular Biology.
This course is intended for MSc Biology students. Exchange students who wish to take this course must have a BSc Biology or equivalent degree.
Description
The aim of this course is to get a good understanding of the molecular mechanisms of human disease, in particular cancer, infectious and inflammatory diseases, neuronal-stress disorders, and developmental disorders.
Course objectives
After completion of the course, students are able to:
Explain how specific signal transduction events and molecular mechanisms underlie various pathological processes, and how this knowledge can be applied to develop better treatment strategies for human diseases.
Understand, critically evaluate and discuss lectures given by scientists on their current research within a variety of biomedical fields related to genetic and acquired disorders.
Integrate the information provided by specialists in the field during the lectures with knowledge gained from the scientific publications to formulate questions and propose the best scientific approach to solve an important biomedical question.
Present the designed research plan on the selected topic to the group and have a discussion about this plan.
Formulate personal interests in biomedical research fields for possible further exploration during their Master studies.
Schedule
The timetables are available through MyTimetable (see the button in the upper right corner). See Brightspace for a detailed schedule.
Teaching method
A series of obligatory lectures provided by invited specialist speakers will be combined with own literature self-study. The students will have to write three questions on the topic of the lecture before the lectures, which will be the starting point for a class discussion. The experts will be consulted during the discussion after the lectures.
Assesment method
PowerPoint presentation.
Written examination requesting knowledge of lectures and relevant background knowledge from Alberts, Molecular Biology of the Cell.
The final grade consists of the following partial grades:
60% examination
30% powerpoint presentation and participation in discussion
10% assignments
The final mark for the course is established by (i) determination of the weighted average of the partial grades combined with (ii) a minimum assessment of 5.5 for each partial grade.
Resit, review & feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest.
Reading list
Lectures
Recommended: Alberts et al, Molecular Biology of the Cell, 6th editioN, ISBN 9780815344643
Additional literature required for the lectures and own power point presentation on a chosen topic.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap (button in upper right corner) is mandatory. General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
Coordinator: Dr. Coert Margadant
Email: c.margadant@biology.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Course can be followed by Biology MSc and by LST, BFW, BMW MSc students.
Note that this is a full time and difficult course asking your interest and commitment - make sure you are available to attend the lectures.
The lectures will be given mostly in the morning, afternoons are meant for self-study on a daily basis. In the last week of the course students will give their own presentation on a chosen topic and prepare for the examination. Participation in the lectures is obligatory.
Software
The Faculty of Science uses 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.