Introduction to Molecular Biochemical Techniques
Full course description
This course focuses on fundamental biological concepts including cellular organisation, DNA, RNA and proteins. Additionally, this course provides students with a conceptual understanding of the most important concepts in molecular neuroscience. Students are made familiar with selected aspects of molecular biology that provide the non-specialist with the principles for understanding the structure and functional relationships of molecular biology techniques.
Course objectives
Students will be able to understand:
- cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, regulation of gene and protein transcription, research methods in molecular cell biology and vocabulary (e.g. scientific and technical words).
Students will be able to apply:
- acquisition of basic laboratory techniques, including preparation of buffers, pipetting, pH titration, a protein assay (standard curve), RNA extraction and DNA isolation, conventional PCR.
Prerequisites
This introductory course is required for students with a psychological background. The parallel course PSY4312 is required for students with a biological background. Thus, students enroll in either PSY4311 or PSY4312. The course coordinators of both courses evaluate which of the two courses a student is required to take.