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Foundations and Methods of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Module PH2139

This module handbook serves to describe contents, learning outcome, methods and examination type as well as linking to current dates for courses and module examination in the respective sections.

Module version of SS 2022 (current)

There are historic module descriptions of this module. A module description is valid until replaced by a newer one.

Whether the module’s courses are offered during a specific semester is listed in the section Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature below.

available module versions
SS 2022SS 2021SS 2020SS 2019SS 2018SS 2017SS 2012

Basic Information

PH2139 is a semester module in German or English language at Master’s level which is offered in summer semester.

This Module is included in the following catalogues within the study programs in physics.

  • Catalogue of non-physics elective courses

If not stated otherwise for export to a non-physics program the student workload is given in the following table.

Total workloadContact hoursCredits (ECTS)
150 h 68 h 5 CP

Responsible coordinator of the module PH2139 is Günther Woehlke.

Content, Learning Outcome and Preconditions

Content

Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology Fundamentals and Methods (DNA, RNA, recombinant DNA, microbiological basis, "cloning" and other methods in molecular cell biology, computer approaches to molecular biology data management, molecular evolution)

Learning Outcome

After successful completion of the module the students are able to

  • understand the theoretical basis for laboratory work (cloning, recombinant expression of proteins, protein purification, etc.).
  • understand the working principles in molecular biology and biochemistry.
  • know and understand selected in-depth subjects introduced in the modules biophysics and molecular biophysics.

Preconditions

recommended: biophysics (module 0020)

Courses, Learning and Teaching Methods and Literature

Courses and Schedule

Learning and Teaching Methods

Lecture: developing chemical fundaments of genetics (DNA, RNA), bacterial genetics, gene expression and regulation, pecularities of eukaryotic organisms.

Exercise: practicing and deepening of knowledge based on quantitative problems; possibly, primary literature.

Excursion: half-day visit at a biotech company.

Media

lecture with script; black board; exercise sheets via Moodle

Literature

Phillips et al. "Physical Biology of the Cell"
Schartl et al. "Biochemie und Molekularbiologie des Menschen"
Pollard & Earnshaw "Cell Biology"

Module Exam

Description of exams and course work

There will be an oral exam of 25 minutes duration. Therein the achievement of the competencies given in section learning outcome is tested exemplarily at least to the given cognition level using Questions on basic knowledge and understanding of experimental observations.

For example an assignment in the exam might be:

  • Draw the chemical structure of dATP (DNA, RNA,...)!
  • Describe the processes of transcription (translation, replication,...)!
  • Draw a schematics for the regulation lactose utilization ('lac operon')!

Participation in the exercise classes is strongly recommended since the exercises prepare for the problems of the exam and rehearse the specific competencies.

Exam Repetition

The exam may be repeated at the end of the semester.

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