PM1PY2: Fundamentals of Cell Biology

Module code: PM1PY2

Module provider: Pharmacy; School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Dr Leanne Black, email: l.e.j.black@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

An understanding of human physiology is essential as it allows students to understand the normal function of the human body and therefore the basis of therapeutic agents and lifestyle interventions. The module will also provide an important basis from which to understand the pathophysiology associated with the biological systems and the therapeutics studied in later modules. In order to begin to understand the function of physiological systems, it is crucial to have knowledge of the structure of mammalian cells and how this relates to cellular functions, many of which are targeted therapeutically. To this aim, students will also be provided with details of the biochemical pathways that underpin these processes. At the end of this module students will have achieved the fundamental knowledge that is required to understand therapeutics, pharmaceutics and major public health issues studied in later years within the programme.

This module aims to introduce students to the essential concepts of genetics, cell biology and biochemistry.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Outline the structure and function of a mammalian cell and the basic cellular processes that underpin physiology, including cellular and tissue communication
2. Describe the principles of genetics (DNA and genetic code) and identify how changes in genetic function affect physiology and pathophysiology
3. Outline major metabolic pathways and fundamental biochemical processes including structure and function of proteins and relate them to physiology and pathophysiology
4. Discuss principles of enzyme kinetics and relate this to chemical kinetics
5. Show the ability to follow a laboratory standard operating procedure and display, analyse and process experimental data

Module content

This module introduces basic biological concepts and general principles required to understand the normal function of the human body and thus, therapeutics. The course will outline the fundamental concepts of genetics, cell biology and biochemistry. These are crucial for understanding physiology and integrate more complex biology and biochemistry alongside development of physiological knowledge during the second part of the course. An appropriate range of lectures, tutorials, practical classes, group working and guided individual study will be used to achieve the learning outcomes and integrate with those of the other Part 1 modules, helping to contextualise relevance to the programme.

Genetics: Outlines and develops fundamental genetics and, using relevant examples, identifies how changes in genetics may affect cellular and systems physiology.

Cell Biology: Lectures outline the function of cells and cellular processes as a foundation to understanding the concepts of human physiology. Practical classes will provide a multidisciplinary and integrative approach to biology and physiology topics and ultimately to healthcare. Supplementary tutorials will be available for those students with no A-level biology experience.

Biochemistry: Outlines the fundamentals of biochemistry, elaborating on the acquired concepts of basic cell biology and identifying how changes in biochemical and metabolic pathways affect the homeostatic principles underlying physiology and pathological conditions. These biochemical concepts link to chemical topics covered in other Part 1 modules and to later years.

Students will also develop the following transferable skills:

1. Find appropriate and reliable information sources
2. Apply referencing criteria
3. Understand plagiarism and academic integrity

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, tutorials, group work, directed private study, self-directed learning, as well as practical-based laboratory classes. Some of the lectures or tutorials will utilise a team-based learning-like approach: activities will adopt characteristics of workshops where students will engage in formative activities e.g. group work, in-class discussion. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided and facilities for computer-aided literature searching for additional relevant materials will enable students to improve their own learning skills. Four two-hour tutorial sessions will prepare and support students for assessments. Supplementary tutorials are also provided for students without an A-level in Biology.

Study hours

At least 46 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Students on the MPharm programme need to achieve all of the following to pass this module:

1. A mark of 40% in each assessment
2. An overall module mark of 40% 

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Formative assessment is largely based on coursework and self-directed assessment and will reinforce each of the learning outcomes of the module. These will be staff, peer, or self- assessed and will include laboratory worksheets, written and online assignments. These assessments will provide students with feedback on their achievement of the learning outcomes and prepare them for the summative assessments.

Reassessment

Additional costs