Practise in Molecular Biology, 15 Credits

Contents

This course offers the student a practical introduction to research activity at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University. The students will have the opportunity to gain knowledge in molecular biology and develop their abilities to apply the knowledge that they have acquired during the study period. In this course, the students will contribute to solving a task that is related to the current research activity at the department of Molecular Biology, as well as documenting and reporting the results, orally and in writing.

Expected learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student will have the ability to: 

• Show knowledge in the research area of molecular biology
• Show the ability to apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills
• Show the ability to interpret obtained results
• Understand and value demands and conditions for molecular biological research activity
• Show the ability to independently present the results of the project in English, orally and in writing.

Required Knowledge

20 ECTS from finished courses in Chemistry, including at least 5 ECTS in Biochemistry, or alternatively, 20 ECTS from a combination of finished courses in Chemistry and Physics and/or Mathematics, including at least 5 ECTS in Biochemistry; 45 ECTS from finished courses in Biology or Medicine, containing Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, and Physiology; practical experience of laboratory work corresponding to a minimum of 5 ECTS.

Form of instruction

This course consists of an individual work project that is completed under supervision and in accordance with a project plan that is established by the supervising teacher. The student will also participate in the group activities that are organized by the research group, such as seminars and journal clubs.

Examination modes

The course is examined by the following examinations:

• The practical activities are documented in the form of a written laboratory notebook. The practical activities and the laboratory notebook are examined continuously during the course in individual discussions with the supervisor.
• At the end of the course, the student is required to submit a recorded presentation of his/her work and its development to the course examiner. The student can present his/her work individually or in a group.

 
This course is graded either Pass (G) or Fail (U). To achieve the grade G, the student is required to pass all examinations. The final grade is registered when all examinations have been passed.
 
Students that have not passed the course at the scheduled time are entitled to a new exam in accordance with Umeå University's guidelines (FS 1.1 -2368-18). The first re-examination should be offered at the latest two months after the first examination. An exception is made when the first examination took place in May or June, then the first re-examination is offered within three months of the first examination. Additionally, at least one more re-examination is offered within one year from the first examination. Furthermore, a student that has taken two exams without passing either a course or a part of a course is entitled to another examiner unless extraordinary circumstances make it inadvisable (Higher Education Ordinance, chapter 6. 22§). The request to get a new examiner is made to the deputy head of department at the Department of Molecular Biology. 
 
In those cases where an examination cannot be repeated according to the rules regarding re-examinations, it should be replaced by another assignment. The extent of and content in such a replacement assignment should be in reasonable proportion to the examination it replaces.
 
The responsible examiner, together with the supervisor, has the right to fail a student during the course if the student shows such serious failings regarding knowledge, skills, or attitude that these, alone or in combination, might carry a risk that the student might harm someone else physically or psychologically. The student's practice course will then be terminated and will be given the grade Fail (U) on this particular course. 
 
In connection with such a decision, an individual development plan shall be established by the examiner together with the student. The development plan shall state what knowledge, skills, and attitude the student needs to acquire before being able to retake the practice course, as well as when a control that these conditions have been can take place. The student is entitled to two such controls every year. However, the total number of controls cannot exceed four, unless under extraordinary circumstances. If the student during a control proves that he/she has acquired the knowledge, skills, and attitude stated in the development plan, he/she has the right to complete the practice course. The student is provided with three occasions to participate in the practice course.
 
Deviations from the examinations described in the syllabus can be made for a student who has a decision on pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adaptation of the examination form must be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the framework of the syllabus' expected study results. At the request of the student, the head of department, in consultation with the course leader, must promptly decide on an adapted form of examination. The decision must then be notified to the student.
 
 
Credit Transfer 
The student has the right to see if their previous education or equivalent professional knowledge and competence can be credited for an equivalent education at Umeå University. The application for the crediting of courses is sent to Student Services Office. More information regarding the crediting of education can be found on Umeå University's student website and in Higher Education Ordinance chapter 6.

Other regulations

In the cases where a syllabus is no longer valid or has gone through significant changes, students are guaranteed at least three examinations (including the original examination) according to the conditions in the original syllabus the student was registered to; this is applicable for a period of up to two years after the syllabus ceased being valid or from when the course stopped being offered.