- 1. The University of EdinburghSchool of Biological Sciences
Honours Guide for the Academic Year2010-2011 A guide to the final
year of the B.Sc. Biological Sciences degree programmes and the
associated intercalated B.Sc. Medical Sciences and B.Sc. Veterinary
Sciences degree programmes Produced by The Biology Teaching
Organisation in association with the Honours Programme
OrganisersTel:0131 650 8649 Email:[email protected]
2. http://student.biology.ed.ac.uk/index.php Any updates and
corrections to this guide will be given on
http://student.biology.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/year4.php.All
enquiries about individual programmes should initially be made to
the appropriate Honours Programme Organiser or Secretary. Their
contact details are given at the start of the section describing
each programme. More general issues may be addressed to:For
programmes based in the School of Biological Sciences, College of
Science & Engineering:BTO Reception 0131 650 8649Technical
Support Manager Mr. Brendan McGory0131 650 7196 E-learning
[email protected] For programmes based in the College of
Medicine & Veterinary Medicine:BMTO Reception0131 650 3160 For
programmes based in the School of Geosciences, College of Science
& Engineering:Helen McKeating 0131 650 5430 DISCLAIMEREvery
effort has been made to ensure the contents of this booklet are
accurate at the time of printing. Unforeseen circumstances may,
however, necessitate changes to the procedures, curricula and
syllabuses described. The Biology Teaching Organisation undertakes
to operate within the rules and regulations as set out in the
Degree Regulations and Programmes of Study and the Examination
Regulations. It will also honour undertakings made in writing to
individual classes, insofar as these do not conflict with the
Universitys regulations. 3. CONTENTS Semester
1...................................................................................................................1
Semester
2...................................................................................................................1
4. COMMON STRUCTURE OF THE SENIOR HONOURS YEAR The Senior Honours
year of each Biological Sciences degree programme has a common
structure with only minor variations. The common structure has the
following features:Semester 1 50 points, generally 5 x 10 point
courses:Some or all of these will be compulsory courses that must
be taken by allstudents on a particular programme. Others may be
elective courses, withguidance being given through
programme-specific lists of recommendedand suitable courses.
Semester 1 courses are generally examined at theend of the
semester; for some there is in-course assessment as well.Semester 2
1 x 40 point research project. The assessment of the research
project may be subdivided into component parts. For example, oral
presentation, written work and laboratory performance may all be
assessed separately. Students may be required to work on their
research project during part of the Easter vacation. 30 points,
generally 3 x 10 point courses including a synoptic exam. The
nature of these courses varies between programmes. Some are
electives (with choice guided as in Semester 1). Others are
compulsory courses. In some programmes a compulsory course is
linked to the project. Semester 2 courses are assessed through
course work or otherwise within the course.The details of the
courses you are required to take and possible elective courses are
set out in this guide.University regulations mean that results from
Junior and Senior Honours years contribute equally to your final
degree class. For students who spent the Junior Honours year abroad
and for students on the intercalated Bachelor of Medical Science
with Honours and Bachelor of Science with Honours in Veterinary
Science degree programmes; the degree class is based on the Senior
Honours year only. Details of the assessment for the individual
courses will be provided by the Honours Programmes.Please select up
to four Honours programmes by going to
http://student.biology.ed.ac.uk/
undergraduate/administration/prereg.php and selecting the relevant
link. UPDATES AND CORRECTIONSAnyupdatesand correctionstothis
guidewillbegivenon
http://student.biology.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/year4.php.1
5. CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO THE SENIOR HONOURS YEARThis guide does
not deal with this issue.B.Sc. Biological Sciences students should
consult the appropriate BTO Guide. Offers of places in the final
year are posted to students in early June once the Junior Honours
exam results are known. If you are uncertain about your position,
please consult your Director of Studies.Intercalating Bachelor of
Medical Science with Honours and Bachelor of Science with Honours
in Veterinary Science students will be told of their acceptance
into the programme by their college. PRE-REGISTRATION FOR
COMPULSORY COURSES ANDELECTIVESAll students admitted to a programme
will be automatically registered for the relevant compulsory
courses. However, it is necessary for all students to submit their
choices for the electives. This guide explains the structure of the
individual programmes and the decisions that have to be made
regarding the electives. A course choice form will be sent to you
with your offer letter. Make sure that you have provided an address
to which the offer letter should be sent. You are asked to provide
this when you submit your programme choices. Please inform the BTO
([email protected]) if you wish to change this address.
Intercalating medics and vets should make sure that their college
office knows how to contact them.When you receive your offer of a
place it is important that you reply with your acceptance and
return your choice form for the electives by the date specified on
the form. If you are away all summer you must arrange for someone
to do this for you. Students who do not return their choice forms
by the required date will miss out on the initial allocation of
electives and will therefore have less chance of a place on their
desired courses.When you return to the University for the start of
Semester 1 you will automatically be enrolled for the compulsory
courses for your honours programme. You will be informed through
MyEd the electives to which you have been admitted.ADVICE ON
CHOOSING ELECTIVES This is the final year of your degree programme
and it is essential for your studies to be suitably focussed on
your degree subject area. The section of the guide dealing with
your honours programme explains the choices open to you. The advice
in these sections varies from programme to programme; it has been
specifically tailored to the subject areas.After a general
introduction to the year, the compulsory courses are listed and you
are told how you must choose elective courses to make up the 120
points. Please note the instructions carefully. Depending upon how
many points are allocated to compulsory courses, you will be told
how many points must be picked from one or two lists. These 2 6.
are known as "List 1" which is a list of courses recommended for
your programme, and "List 2" which is a list of courses also judged
to be suitable for your programme. Full descriptions of these
courses may be found starting on page 82.An important and valuable
aspect of this system is that it opens up more avenues for students
to shape their Senior Honours year to their specific interests. The
instructions explain the freedom you may have to choose courses
outside Lists 1 and 2 subject to the approval of your Honours
Programme Organiser. If you are thinking of broadening your
programme in this way, please bear in mind a number of points.
Firstly consider how the subject adds 'academic value' to your
programme. Secondly, remember that the courses must be at level 10
or 11 so, unless you have studied a subject in earlier years, this
will limit your choice to biology and related areas. Even within
biology you should consider whether you have the expected
background needed for a specific elective. Thirdly, remember to
check that you have fulfilled any specific requirements set out for
each course.Each of the courses is "owned" by a specific honours
programme. This means that the course comes under the control of
the programme's Board of Examiners. Generally only the students
registered for a specific programme are admitted to that
programme's compulsory courses. However, if a course is compulsory
for your programme you will be automatically admitted to it even if
it is not owned by your programme. If you wish to do a compulsory
course from another degree programme as an elective this may not be
possible. Take note of any comments given in the course
descriptions. If in doubt, contact the appropriate Honours
Programme Organiser. The number of students admitted to electives
is reasonably flexible and the course descriptions give an
indication of maximum class sizes. Unnecessary restrictions will
not be applied. However, there must be some limits as it is
appreciated that honours teaching and learning is much more
effective in smaller rather than larger classes. We also know that
students look forward to smaller classes in their Senior Honours
year after being in large classes in previous years. In allocating
electives, Honours Programme Organisers will give preference to
students for whom the course is particularly relevant but will do
what they can to admit other students.Most of the courses build
upon specific biology Junior Honours courses and this leads to
courses having prerequisites in terms of requirements or
recommended courses. Some prerequisites are prefaced by the word
"normally"; this indicates that exceptions may be made,
particularly for well qualified students. Students who spent their
Junior Honours year abroad and intercalating medics and vets will
be unable to meet requirements specified in terms of specific
Junior Honours courses. These students will be excused these
requirements by the Honours Programme Organiser.The course lists
and descriptions indicate which programme owns the courses. The
descriptions end with information on the requirements for
admittance to the course.If you have any questions about the
electives please direct these to the Honours Programme Organiser of
the owning programme. The Organiser is responsible for the
electives owned by their programme and controls admission to them.
3 7. HOW ELECTIVES WILL BE ALLOCATEDAccess to courses is controlled
by the Honours Programme Organisers. Each organiser will allocate
the students on their programme to appropriate electives,
discussing this as necessary with other organisers.In an ideal
world all students would get their top or other high choices but of
course this is unlikely to happen as demand will be uneven. Honours
Programme Organisers will take note of several issues when
allocating the students on their programme to electives and when
trying to place other students who wish to do courses 'owned' by
their programme. These will include: 1) Whether the student is
doing the 'owning' programme2) The ranking given to the elective by
the student on their choice form3) Whether the elective is on the
lists of recommended and suitable electives for the student's
programme4) The student's background for courses that specify
requirements5) The class size.A key aim will be to arrive at the
'best' overall solution taking account of the available
information. The Board of Studies has agreed that if too few
students wish to do a course it may be withdrawn.Allocations for
semester two electives are made at the start of semester one, but
these are preliminary and students must confirm their semester two
courses towards the end of semester one. 4 8. BIOCHEMISTRY
Programme Organiser: Programme Secretary: Dr. Paul McLaughlinMs
Vicky Mactaggart Michael Swann Building Darwin Building Kings
Buildings Kings Buildings Edinburgh EH9 3JREdinburgh EH9 3JU 0131
650 70600131 651 7052 [email protected]
[email protected] Biochemistry encourages the critical
assessment of current developments and emphasises biochemical
approaches to biological problems of current interest. Teaching
takes the form of traditional lectures, specialised seminars in
small and large groups, project work, and small-group tutorials.The
programme is constructed around a set of compulsory courses. Some
lectures emphasise the degree of understanding that already exists
at the biochemical level; others seek to illustrate the need for a
biochemical approach to particular problems. Students choose their
courses as indicated below.Students pick a research topic in
Semester 1. There are two parts to this aspect of the programme:
Firstly, students prepare a Research Proposal in the form of a
Grant Application. The topic of this proposal is linked to the
Research Project when each student works independently in a
research laboratory. Projects run during Semester 2, initially on a
part-time basis (weeks 1-5) but ultimately with full-time
commitment. Many of these projects are located in research
institutes associated with the University, in addition to the SBS
institutes contributing to the programme.A system of multiple
assessments provides a broad view of each student's abilities and
lessens the impact of final examinations. The compulsory lecture
courses are assessed by examination. Electives are assessed either
by examination or by essay immediately at the end of the period of
study. Project work is assessed through the submission of a report
and by an oral presentation. At the end of the year students will
sit a synoptic exam which has the potential to cover any aspect of
the course as it is focussed upon analysis of data and the
interpretation of research literature.As an honours student
studying Biochemistry:(a) You must do the following compulsory
courses Points BICH10011 Biochemistry Project 40 BICH10014
Biochemistry Tutorials & Synoptic Examination20 BICH10010
Biochemistry Research Proposal 10 BICH10006 Biochemical Techniques
10TWO OF: BICH10007 Structural Biology 10 MLBI10009 Gene
Expression10 BICH10009 Membrane Biology 10Points 1005 9. (b) In
addition you must take further level 10 or 11 courses. These will
normally* be from Lists 1 or 2 (below).20 Total points120Number of
electives to be chosen: Semester 1: four, Semester 2: one. (Note
that two of these electives must be chosen from the "Two of:" list
of Biochemistry courses given under compulsory courses
above.)*Students who wish a broader fourth year programme may
choose, subject to the approval of the Head of School (i.e. Head of
SBS, SBMS as appropriate), other level 10 or 11 courses from
outside Biology. Students wishing to do this should first discuss
it with their Director of Studies and their Honours Programme
Organiser. Approval will only be given for courses that fit
appropriately with the chosen honours specialisation and for which
they are suitably qualified. The requirement for these courses to
be at level 10 or 11 means that students wishing to take this
option should plan for this early in their University career.
Otherwise, earlier course choices may limit later
choices.Compulsory Courses for the Biochemistry Honours Degree
ProgrammeCode Course NameProgSem Time Slot BICH10006 Biochemical
TechniquesBiochem 1Mon am Description: We aim to reinforce and
extend your knowledge of biochemical techniques and to introduce
you to new physical techniques in selected fields of current
interest, especially those of relevance in structural biology. In
the 'wet biochemistry' section the aim is to give you insight into
selecting the simplest effective approach for solving the
biochemical problem in hand. In the 'structural techniques' section
we shall show how the answers to many fascinating questions in
biology can be obtained by applying physical chemical techniques.
Application of these techniques now in everyday use has improved in
recent years so that the scientist is relatively free to
concentrate on the biology of the problem rather than the
collection of the data needed to consider the problem. A major
advance in this regard is the relatively straightforward means by
which an accurate 3-D structure can be obtained. The aim of this
section, then, is to review some of the methods by which
biomolecular structure is determined, how these methods combine to
give a full picture of the structure and function of the biological
system under study, which can be a single subunit, a whole molecule
or a more complex assembly, and thereby show why such knowledge is
an essential part of modern biochemistry, molecular biology and
pharmacology. Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval
Officer. Normally Structures and Functions of Proteins 3 is
required. Chemistry for Life Sciences 2 recommended. BICH10010
Biochemistry Research ProposalBiochem 1&2None Description:
Preparation of an original Research Proposal. Requirements:
Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer. BICH10014
Biochemistry Tutorials & Synoptic Biochem 1&2Wed pmExam
Description: Small group tutorial system covering all aspects of
Honours Biochemistry (course work, topical biochemistry, data
analysis, presentations) with particular emphasis on the
preparation for the Synoptic Exam. Culminates in Synoptic exam.
Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.
BICH10011 Biochemistry ProjectBiochem 2None Description: Honours
Project: Lab Project - Thesis and Performance (35 points) Assessed
Talk (5 points) Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval
Officer.6 10. List 1: Recommended elective courses for the
Biochemistry Honours Degree Programme. As described above, students
must take two of the following three courses. CodeCourse Name
ProgSemTime SlotMaxClass MLBI10009 Gene ExpressionMolBiol 1 Thurs
amNo limit Description: The aim of these lectures is to familiarise
students with the variety of mechanisms responsible for regulating
the expression of genetic information at the level transcription
and post- transcription mechanisms. Teaching will focus on the
organisation and packaging of the genetic material in eukaryotic
cells and the implications this has for genetic expression. In
addition, basic transcription control mechanisms will be examined
in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. RNA processing will be studied at
the level of splicing and its importance in the regulation of gene
expression will be discussed. The special mechanisms which have
evolved to operate within, and to take advantage of, a chromatin
context will also be reviewed from a biochemical and developmental
perspective. Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval
Officer. Structures and Functions of Proteins 3 and Molecular
Genetics 3 recommended. BICH10009 Membrane Biology Biochem 1 Fri
amNo limit Description: About a third of an organisms genes encode
membrane proteins or enzymes involved in the biochemistry of
membrane lipids, reflecting the fundamental importance of membranes
in every living cell. Membranes serve to compartmentalise cell
functions by isolating different biochemical processes, but
membranes and lipids also function in cell signalling and
regulation. Though much has been learned about biochemical pathways
involved in membrane biogenesis, details of how organellar
membranes assemble and achieve particular shapes and compositions
remain elusive. The significant percentage of the genome associated
with membrane biology implies likewise that we have only viewed the
tip of the iceberg with regard to regulatory functions of lipids.
The Membrane Biology module begins with a general overview of the
breadth of membranes and associated proteins followed by allocation
of the projects for the In Course Assessment. This will be
essentially a 6-7 minute oral presentation by each student on a
different mechanism for getting molecules across biological
membranes followed by a question and answer/ discussion. This
in-course assessment will be worth 25% of the course total. Most
course lectures will combine textbook-style information with a
description of methods used to gain that information. Using a
combination of biochemical and cell biological approaches, we then
explore emerging structures and mechanisms, including proteins
involved in fusion and fission membrane interactions of viruses and
the cells own endocytic and exocytic processes. Lipid
modifications, membrane diffusion, and evolution of membrane
bending mechanisms will also be discussed. The module also includes
one Research Talk and three CPA (current paper awareness) sessions
(titles to be announced). Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer. Structures and Functions of Proteins 3
or Molecular Cell Biology 3 is recommended. BICH10007 Structural
Biology Biochem 1 Tues am No limit Description: The aim of this
part of the course is to enrich your knowledge of cellular
activities by providing you with structural details of the key
molecular players and their interactions. Modern structural biology
has shown us how numerous proteins are able to carry out their
functions - in other words, how they actually work. It is not
possible to appreciate just how far we have advanced in recent
years in our understanding of cell and molecular biology without
sampling the wealth of three-dimensional structures of proteins,
protein-nucleic acid complexes, and macromolecular assemblies now
available. In this course we have selected examples of structures
that we consider to be most interesting and illustrative, or most
important to fundamental processes such as DNA packaging and
unpackaging, transcription, translation and correct folding of
polypeptides to form proteins. We shall also provide some
introductory material on protein and nucleic acid structures at the
beginning of the course, and a bioinformatics perspective to
engender 7 11. an appreciation of the role of structural biology in
the post-genomics era. Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum
Approval Officer. Normally Structures and Functions of Proteins
3.List 2: Suitable Elective Courses for the Biochemistry Honours
Degree Programme. Further details may be found starting on page 82.
CodeCourse nameProgSem Time SlotMax Class DEBI10023 Cell Biology:
from CellBiol1 Tues pm 25 fundamental mechanisms to human disease.
MLBI10017 Molecular Biology of Disease MolBiol 1 Fri am PYBM10025
Neurotransmitter Release and Physiol 1 Thurs pm 25 Vesicle
Recycling DEBI10021 Patterning in DevelopmentDevBiol 1 Tues am
BICH10002 Supercoiling in DNA andBiochem 1 Mon pm 12 Chromatin
PLSC10019 The Growth of Plants PlantSci1 Fri pm BICH10016 Drug
Discovery Biochem 2 Tues & Fri pm24 BICH10013 Signal
TransductionBiochem 2 Mon & Thurs am 248 12. BIOTECHNOLOGY
Programme Organiser:Programme Secretary: Dr. Bruce WardMrs Lesley
Cochrane Darwin Building BTO Kings BuildingsDarwin Building
Edinburgh EH9 3JU Kings Buildings 0131 650 5370 Edinburgh EH9 3JU
[email protected] 0131 651 8638 [email protected] Biotechnology
is concerned with applications of fundamental knowledge in
biological. This covers many facets from making useful products
using microbial, plant or animal cells (eg vaccines, antibiotics,
enzymes etc) to using bioinformatics and structural biology to
design new drugs. It covers a wide field from microarrays and gene
therapy to biomining of genomic data to identify new drug targets
for important diseases. The Honours course combines coverage of the
basic principles and knowledge underpinning biotechnology and an
appreciation of the processes involved in converting an idea into a
product. Whilst the programme is centred round molecular
biotechnology, students from different backgrounds taking third
year courses in microbiology, biotechnology, molecular biology,
genetics and biochemistry should find it an interesting and
relevant option for Honours. Indeed the programme is closely
integrated with Honours programmes in these related disciplines,
providing flexibility and choice. Biotechnology is an exciting area
with new developments each year in areas that affect us all.
Examples include new drugs and vaccines to combat diseases, new
enzymes for health care, biocontrol agents in the field and
biosensors to monitor environmental pollution. We aim to keep up
with new areas of interest as they emerge; for example we have
introduced new lectures on synthetic biology, systems biology and
microbial fuel cells.In Semester 1, students take 3 compulsory
courses plus two elective courses. The compulsory courses are
Enzymology & Biological Production, Novel Approaches, and
Biotechnology Industrial Visits & Core Skills. These cover
respectively: production of biotechnology products including
antibiotics and recombinant proteins and drug design (Enzymology
and Biological Production), emerging technologies for analysis,
detection and product development in biotechnology (Novel
Approaches) and industrial visits, topical seminars, career
development, graduate skills, individual workshops, tutorials
research analysis (Biotechnology Industrial Visits and Core
Skills). Recommended electives are Genetic Approaches, and Gene
Expression and Microbial Regulation. The former covers genetic
techniques for cloning and expression and the latter covers
regulation of microorganisms at the molecular level. However the
opportunity to take electives from other Honours programmes is
available and many students enjoy this opportunity to study in an
area of choice, eg malaria, stem cell engineering etc.The objective
is to provide a firm foundation in molecular and microbial
biotechnology through compulsory sections dealing with topics such
as expression vectors, microbial fermentation, protein structure,
drug design, development of antimicrobials, vaccines etc. Whilst
the course emphasises the science underpinning biotechnology, the
principles of how biotechnology companies operate and topical
issues are also covered. 9 13. In Semester 2 students take a
further second elective course. This format allows students to
tailor choices to suit their interests. For example there are
electives to suit students with an interest in mammalian biology or
plant biotechnology.Students undertake a major research project
part-time in the second Semester. A wide choice of projects is
available, as these are organised collectively within the School of
Biological Sciences. One variation on this course is to take a
degree in Biotechnology with Management. This requires students to
have taken prerequisite courses in management in earlier years (see
Biology with management elsewhere in this guide). As an honours
student studying Biotechnology:(a) You must do the following
compulsory courses Points BITE10004Biotechnology Project 40
BITE10006Biotechnology Synoptic Examination10
BITE10007Biotechnology Industrial Visits and Core Skills 10
BITE10005Biotechnology Literature Review 10 BITE10001Enzymology and
Biological Production10 BITE10002Novel Approaches10 Points 90(b) In
addition you must take further level 10 or 11 courses. These will
normally* be from Lists 1 (below)10 (c) In addition you must take
further level 10 or 11 courses. 20 These will normally* be from
Lists 1 or 2 (below)Total points 120Number of electives to be
chosen: Semester 1: two, Semester 2: one.*Students who wish a
broader fourth year programme may choose, subject to the approval
of the Head of School (i.e. Head of SBS, SBMS as appropriate),
other level 10 or 11 courses from outside Biology. Students wishing
to do this should first discuss it with their Director of Studies
and their Honours Programme Organiser. Approval will only be given
for courses that fit appropriately with the chosen honours
specialisation and for which they are suitably qualified. The
requirement for these courses to be at level 10 or 11 means that
students wishing to take this option should plan for this early in
their University career. Otherwise, earlier course choices may
limit later choices.Compulsory Courses for the Biotechnology
Honours Degree Programme Code Course NameProg Sem Time Slot
BITE10005Biotechnology Literature ReviewBiotech1 None Description:
A research-based course involving the preparation of a report
covering the background to a chosen research topic and the
formation of a research plan with milestones and objectives.
Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer. 10 14.
CodeCourse Name ProgSem Time Slot BITE10001 Enzymology and
Biological Production Biotech 1 Tues am Description: An important
feature of biotechnology is the use of enzymes and microorganisms
to manufacture products useful to society. These products range
from industrial alcohol, food additives and other bulk products, to
antibiotics and recombinant therapeutic proteins. In this module we
will consider important aspects of enzymes and microorganisms
related to their use in industry, and methods for the discovery or
generation of novel biocatalysts. We will also discuss technologies
used in important commercial processes including the manufacture of
antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins, as
well as new approaches to drug discovery and the development of new
therapeutic agents. Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum
Approval Officer. BITE10002 Novel ApproachesBiotech1Thurs pm
Description: Advances in scientific knowledge frequently allow
development of new technologies or improvements to existing
technologies. Recent examples in Biotechnology include knowledge of
microbial genomes, the development of microarray and proteomic
methods to examine how cells respond to various stimuli. This
course examines examples of new technologies and their application
to combating important diseases. Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer. BITE10007 Biotechnology Industrial
Visits and Biotech 1&2Wed am Core Skills Description: This
section will include visits to biotechnology companies in Scotland,
seminars from industrial speakers of renown, discussion sessions on
topical issues in biotechnology and an overview of how
biotechnology companies translate scientific ideas into commercial
products. During this course students will develop further career
skills such as oral and written presentations, paper analysis and
computer applications. Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum
Approval Officer. BITE10004 Biotechnology Project Biotech2None
Description: Honours Project: Lab Project - Thesis and Performance
Presentation Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval
Officer. BITE10006 Biotechnology Synoptic ExaminationBiotech2None
Description: Exam based on problem analysis and interpretation of
data and information from scientific papers. Requirements:
Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer. List 1: Recommended
Elective Courses for the Biotechnology Honours Programme. Further
details may be found starting on page 82. Code Course Name Prog
SemTime Slot MaxClass BITE10010Gene Expression and Microbial
Biotech 1 Thurs amRegulation GENE10007Genetic ApproachesGenetics1
Mon am BITE10003Food-Borne Pathogens andBiotech 2 Tues & Thurs
amFBPVaccines21 BITE10009Plant Biotechnology/Food- Biotech 2 Thurs
& Fri am FBPborne Pathogens 21 BITE10008Vaccines/Human Genetics
Biotech 2 Mon & Tues am 11 15. List 2: Suitable Elective
Courses for the Biotechnology Honours Programme. Further details
may be found starting on page 82. CodeCourse Name Prog Sem Time
SlotMax Class GENE10004 Genetics of Host-Parasite Genetics1Fri am20
Interactions MLBI10017 Molecular Biology of DiseaseMolBiol 1Fri am
GENE10015 The Cell Cycle: DNA Genetics1Thurs pm50 Replication,
Segregation and Checkpoints GENE10001 Human
Genetics/MammalianGenetics2HG - Mon am; HG Transgenesis and
GenomeMTGE - Tues am30; Engineering MTG E 22 DEBI10017 Mammalian
Stem Cell Biology DevBiol 2Tues & Fri am GENE10002 Molecular
& Cellular AspectsGenetics2Mon & Thurs pm of HIV
Infection12 16. CELL BIOLOGY Programme Organiser:Programme
Secretary: Prof Hiro OhkuraMs Donna Wright Swann BuildingBTO Kings
BuildingsDarwin Building Edinburgh EH9 3JR Kings Buildings 0131 650
7094 Edinburgh EH9 3JU [email protected] 0131 651 7051
[email protected] cell biology is a dynamic discipline
that combines the interests and techniques of many scientific
fields including molecular biology, genetics, developmental biology
and biochemistry. Cell biologists investigate the basic structural
and functional units of life: the cells that compose all living
organisms. They aim to understand: cellular structure, composition
and regulation; the organelles that cells contain; cell growth,
nuclear and cellular division, and cell death. Understanding how
cells work is fundamental to many areas of biology and is of
particular importance to biomedical fields such as cancer
research.Cell Biology Senior Honours is a new Programme, which
shares many courses with the Genetics and Molecular Biology
Programmes. It is taught by means of compulsory courses in Semester
1 and by elective courses in Semesters 1 and 2. Three of the
compulsory courses are lecture-based. A further compulsory course
(Data Interpretation) is specific to Cell Biology Honours, and
includes paper presentations by students, essay writing and data
analysis sessions to provide practice in data handling and problem
solving. As described below, a wide range of elective courses is
open to Cell Biology students, offered by Cell Biology, Molecular
Biology, Genetics and other honours programmes. Semester 1
electives are generally assessed by exam, Semester 2 electives by
essay or other continuous assessment.During Semester 2, each
student conducts a research project in a field of his or her own
choice. These are carried out under the supervision of a member of
staff. Students present their findings for evaluation at the end of
the course in the form of a short thesis and a 15 minute oral
presentation. In addition to the research project, Cell Biology
students undertake a library project of broad cell biological
interest, writing a dissertation of 4000 words which is submitted
in Semester 2.A synoptic exam at the end of the course examines the
student's overall knowledge and understanding of cell biology, and
ability to interpret cell biological data. Overall, examinations
contribute about 50% to the final assessment.Note: The Cell Cycle
course is normally required for Cell Biology Honours (see below)
but some flexibility may be permitted. Students with a particular
interest in molecular aspects of cell biology might consider taking
the parallel programme in Molecular Biology.13 17. As an honours
student studying Cell Biology:(a) You must do the following
compulsory Courses Points Cell Biology Project 40 Cell Biology Data
Interpretation & Synoptic20 Examination DEBI10023 Cell Biology:
from fundamental mechanisms to10 human disease GENE10007 Genetic
Approaches10 Cell Biology Library Project10 GENE10015 The Cell
Cycle: DNA Replication, Segregation and10 Checkpoints Points 100(b)
In addition you must take further level 10 or 11 Biological
Sciences courses. These will normally* be from List 1
(below).20Number of electives to be chosen: Semester 1: one,
Semester 2: one.*Students who wish a broader fourth year programme
may choose, subject to the approval of the Head of School (i.e.
Head of SBS, SBMS as appropriate), other level 10 or 11 courses
from outside Biology. Students wishing to do this should first
discuss it with their Director of Studies and their Honours
Programme Organiser. Approval will only be given for courses that
fit appropriately with the chosen honours specialisation and for
which they are suitably qualified. The requirement for these
courses to be at level 10 or 11 means that students wishing to take
this option should plan for this early in their University career.
Otherwise, earlier course choices may limit later
choices.Compulsory Courses for the Cell Biology Honours Degree
Programme CodeCourse NameProg SemTime Slot Cell Biology Data
Interpretation & CellBiol 1 Wed am Synoptic Exam Description:
Review of problem/practical papers. Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer DEBI10023 Cell Biology: from
fundamental CellBiol 1Tues pm mechanisms to human disease.
Description: This course will illustrate how fundamental research
in cell biology is relevant to human disease. This will be done by
consideration of how defects in basic biological processes, such as
microtubule and chromosome structure and/or regulation, contribute
to diseased states. The course begins with an introduction to
microscopy and then focusses on specific areas of cell biology. A
recurring theme is how a range of techniques (encompassing,
imaging, proteomics and genetics) are used to identify and then
dissect the function of complex multi-protein machines. When
defective, these machines have significant impact on human diseases
including ciliopathies, laminopathies, cancer, aneuploidy and
ageing. Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval
Officer. Molecular Cell Biology 3 is recommended. 14 18. Code
Course NameProg SemTime Slot GENE10007Genetic Approaches
Genetics1Mon am Description: The aim of this course is to
familiarise students with genetic, molecular genetic and
bioinformatic approaches that are commonly used to study genes,
their expression and their functions, and how transgenic organisms
can be produced. The focus will be on the most frequently used
model organisms, Plants, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and mouse, and will include classical as well very recent
technological developments. The final lecture will discuss the need
for computational methods to store, access and analyse genomic and
functional genomic data. Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum
Approval Officer. Molecular Genetics 3 is recommended. GENE10015The
Cell Cycle: DNA Replication, Genetics1 Thurs pmSegregation and
Checkpoints Description: The purpose of the cell division cycle is
to ensure the accurate duplication of the cellular DNA and its
partitioning into daughter cells. These lectures deal with the
molecular mechanisms involved in the fundamental process of DNA
replication and the controls regulating its occurrence during the
cell cycles of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In bacteria, cell growth
and cell wall assembly are coordinated with cell cycle progress,
and the assembly of a septum cross- wall is essential for cell
division. Duplication of the genetic material becomes more complex
in eukaryotic cells, as chromosomes are larger and DNA is tightly
packed into chromatin. Controls called checkpoints prevent the cell
from initiating late cell cycle events until earlier processes have
been correctly completed. Failure of these checkpoints in
vertebrate cells is implicated in some forms of cancer.
Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.Cell
Biology Library Project CellBiol2 Description: Library Project -
Dissertation Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval
OfficerCell Biology Project CellBiol2 Description: Lab Project -
Thesis and Performance & Assessed Talk Requirements: Permission
of the Curriculum Approval Officer List 1: Recommended Elective
Courses for the Cell Biology Honours Degree Programme. Further
details may be found starting on page 82. CodeCourse Name Prog Sem
Time Slot MaxClass DEBI10020 Cellular Mechanisms inDevBiol1 Fri am
Development MLBI10009 Gene Expression MolBiol1 Thurs am Nolimit
GENE10004 Genetics of Host-Parasite Genetics 1 Fri am20
Interactions MLBI10017 Molecular Biology of DiseaseMolBiol1 Fri am
BICH10007 Structural BiologyBiochem1 Tues amNolimit BICH10002
Supercoiling in DNA and Biochem1 Mon pm12 Chromatin GENE10001 Human
Genetics/MammalianGenetics 2 HG - Mon am;HG Transgenesis and
GenomeMTGE - Tues am 30; EngineeringMTGE 2215 19. CodeCourse Name
Prog Sem Time SlotMax Class MLBI10004 Human Genetics/The RNAMolBiol
2HG Mon am;HG WorldRNA Thurs am30; RNA20 DEBI10017 Mammalian Stem
Cell Biology DevBiol 2Tues & Fri am GENE10002 Molecular &
Cellular AspectsGenetics2Mon & Thurs pm of HIV Infection
BICH10013 Signal Transduction Biochem 2Mon & Thurs am24
MLBI10005 The RNA World/Mammalian MolBiol 2RNA Thurs am;RNA
Transgenesis & GenomeMTGE Tues am20; Engineering MTG E 2216 20.
DEVELOPMENTAL and CELL BIOLOGY Programme Organiser:Programme
Secretary: Dr. Peter Doerner Mrs Lesley Cochrane Rutherford
Building BTO Kings BuildingsDarwin Building Edinburgh EH9 3JH Kings
Buildings 0131 650 7080 Edinburgh EH9 3JU
[email protected] 650 8638 [email protected]
Developmental and Cell Biology focuses on the molecular and
cellular mechanisms that allow cells to form a complex adult
organism in an exquisitely ordered sequence, so that the right cell
types are formed in the right places at the right times. We study
different organisms, which allows us to understand fundamental,
conserved molecular mechanisms controlling patterning (the process
of generating different cell types at the appropriate place and
time) and growth.Developmental and Cell Biology is
interdisciplinary: we cover embryology and patterning, cell
interactions and differentiation, human genetics, transgenic
animals, evolution, stem cell biology, developmental neurobiology,
developmental anatomy and gene expression. We aim to understand the
underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms that underpin these
processes and focus on the way molecules control the properties of
a developing organism and what goes wrong in congenital diseases.As
recent publicity surrounding stem cells and regenerative medicine
has shown, developmental and cell biology, genetics and molecular
biology can impact directly upon our lives. Therefore, in addition
to being informed about the basic science we encourage you to
consider how these issues impact on society.In Semester 1, students
in Developmental and Cell Biology take five courses, each worth 10
points. This includes three required courses: Cellular Mechanisms
in Development, Patterning in Development and Professional Skills
in Developmental and Cell Biology. The first two courses cover
essential aspects of vertebrate, invertebrate and plant
development, while the latter focuses on problem sessions relating
to DB. Two further optional courses are selected from a recommended
selection of five: Experimental Systems in DCB, Gene Expression in
DB, Cell Biology: from fundamental mechanisms to human disease,
Segmentation: Evolution and Development, Molecular Approaches to
Disease but other Semester 1 SBS courses can be taken as well. The
former two deal with basic aspects of Developmental Biology,
whereas the latter are more specialised courses dealing with
specific areas. The Semester 1 courses will be examined in
December, however examination of Professional Skills in DB is
deferred until May.In Semester 2, there is one optional 10-point
course to choose from a large pool of specialised courses dealing
with all biological subjects represented at the School of
Biological Sciences. In addition, students will write a Research
Proposal (10-points), relating to their projects. The research
project (40 points) will make up most of Semester 2 and enables
students to do research at MRC (Western General Hospital) and BBSRC
(Roslin) units as well as in University departments. Students
present seminars on their projects. The synoptic exam covers
material from the entire course and will be taken in May.17 21.
Teaching will include lectures, seminars and presentations of
current papers. We place emphasis on transferable skills and our
students have excellent verbal and written communication skills at
the end of the courseDevelopmental and Cell Biology provides an
exciting Honours programme with genuine career opportunities in,
for example, the study of human genetic disease, transgenic plants
and animals, etc. It would also be a valuable course for those
planning to do a PhD, since many of the topics offered to students
require the knowledge and expertise our students will have gained
after their Honours year. As an honours student studying
Developmental and Cell Biology:(a) You must do the following
compulsory courses Points DEBI10024 Developmental and Cell Biology
Project 40 DEBI10026 Developmental and Cell Biology Synoptic10
Examination DEBI10020 Cellular Mechanisms in Development10
DEBI10021 Patterning in Development 10 DEBI10028 Professional
Skills in Developmental and Cell 10 Biology DEBI10025 Developmental
and Cell Biology Research Proposal10 Points90(b) In addition you
must take further level 10 or 11 Biological Sciences courses. These
will normally* be from List 1 (below).10(c) In addition you must
take further level 10 or 11 courses. These will normally* be from
List 1 (below) or other Biological Sciences courses.20 Total points
120Number of electives to be chosen: Semester 1: two, Semester 2:
one.*Students who wish a broader fourth year programme may choose,
subject to the approval of the Head of School (i.e. Head of SBS,
SBMS as appropriate), other level 10 or 11 courses from outside
Biology. Students wishing to do this should first discuss it with
their Director of Studies and their Honours Programme Organiser.
Approval will only be given for courses that fit appropriately with
the chosen honours specialisation and for which they are suitably
qualified. The requirement for these courses to be at level 10 or
11 means that students wishing to take this option should plan for
this early in their University career. Otherwise, earlier course
choices may limit later choices. 18 22. Compulsory Courses for the
Developmental and Cell Biology Honours Degree Programme Code Course
NameProgSemTime Slot DEBI10020Cellular Mechanisms in Development
DevBiol1Fri am Description: 1. Coping with Complexity: viewing life
as a 'complex system', and why this is helpful. Self-assembly
versus self-organization. Overview of developmental cell biology
and of the rest of the module. 2. Gene expression: regulation,
contingency and computation. 3. Genetic networks; spontaneous
organization and emergence of high-level functions from connection
of simple genes. Redundancy, robustness and graceful failure. 4.
Connecting genetic networks to the rest of the body: signal sensing
and cytoplasmic computation. 5. Controlling proliferation of cells
and growth of tissues 6. Programmed cell death, the trophic theory
7. Adaptive self-organization as a key property of developing
animals. 8. Cell movement: mechanisms and internal regulation 9.
Navigation by cells: maps, mechanisms and the cell's internal
'compass'. 10. Embryonic origami: the bending and branching of
epithelia. 11. Integration of development between different cells,
tissues and organs 12. Revision and clinical perspective: cancer as
mis-regulated development. Problem sessions; Computer sessions
Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.
DEBI10021Patterning in DevelopmentDevBiol1Tues am Description: Key
developmental processes will be considered: Polarity and patterning
in embryogenesis, the evolution of development, and organogenesis
and differentiation. The fundamental importance of these concepts
will be underscored by discussing examples from plants and animals.
1 The Drosophila Embryo I Anterior-Posterior Pattern. L2 The
Drosophila Embryo II Dorsal-Ventral Pattern. L3 Patterning the
Vertebrate Embryo: Frog and Fish. L4 Very different Chordates:
Tunicate and Mouse. L5 Left-Right Handedness. L5 Left-Right
Handedness. L6&7 Patterning plant embryos. L8 Drosophila
sensory bristle development the role of asymmetric cell division.
L9 Pattern and Growth in the Drosophila Wing imaginal disc. L10 Sex
and patterning: the Genital Disc. L11 Compound eye development eye
field specification and growth. L12 Compound eye development
retinal neurogenesis, cell division and cell death. L13&14
Patterning Vertebrate Limbs. L15 & 16 Patterning plant organs.
L17&18 Stem cells in development and homeostasis. L19&20
Control of growth and size. Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer. DEBI10028Professional Skills in
Developmental DevBiol1Wed amand Cell Biology Description: Paper
Analysis; Use of Powerpoint and Bibliography programmes; Seminars;
Research Seminars; Use of Organism Databases (Computer-lab);
Proposal writing Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum
Approval Officer. DEBI10024Developmental and Cell Biology
DevBiol2NoneProject Description: Honours Project: Lab Project -
Thesis, Performance and Project Talk (40 points) Lab Project -
Thesis, Performance and Project Talk (40 points) Requirements:
Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.
DEBI10025Developmental and Cell Biology DevBiol2NoneResearch
Proposal Description: Library Project - Grant Proposal; The Grant
Proposal is intended to plan your project work. Requirements:
Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.
DEBI10026Developmental and Cell Biology DevBiol2NoneSynoptic
Examination Description: Synoptic Exam Requirements: Permission of
the Curriculum Approval Officer.19 23. List 1: Recommended Elective
Courses for the Developmental and Cell Biology Honours Degree
Programme. Further details may be found starting on page 82.
CodeCourse NameProg Sem Time SlotMaxClass DEBI10023 Cell Biology:
from fundamental CellBiol1Tues pm 25 mechanisms to human disease.
DEBI10027 Experimental Systems inDevBiol 1Mon am Developmental and
Cell Biology DEBI10014 Gene Expression in DevBiol 1Thurs am
Development MLBI10017 Molecular Biology of Disease MolBiol 1Fri am
ZLGY10008 Segmentation: Evolution andZoology 1Tues pm 25
Development GENE10001 Human Genetics/Mammalian Genetics2HG - Mon
am;HG Transgenesis and Genome MTGE - Tues am30; EngineeringMTGE 22
MLBI10004 Human Genetics/The RNA MolBiol 2HG Mon am;HG World RNA
Thurs am30;RNA 20 DEBI10017 Mammalian Stem Cell BiologyDevBiol
2Tues & Fri am GENE10002 Molecular & Cellular Aspects
Genetics2Mon & Thurs pm of HIV Infection MLBI10005 The RNA
World/MammalianMolBiol 2RNA Thurs am;RNA Transgenesis & Genome
MTGE Tues am20; EngineeringMTGE 22 BITE10008 Vaccines/Human
GeneticsBiotech 2Mon & Tues am 20 24. ECOLOGY Programme
Organiser:Programme Secretary: Dr Richard EnnosMrs Helen McKeating
Ashworth Building GeoSciences Kings BuildingsCrew Building
Edinburgh EH9 3JT Kings Buildings 0131 650 5411 Edinburgh EH9 3JN
[email protected] 0131 650 5430 [email protected] word
ecology comes from the Greek oikos, meaning a house or dwelling
place. It is defined as the scientific study of organisms in
relation to their physical and biological environment. The physical
environment includes the soil, water and atmosphere; the biological
environment includes influences that organisms have on one another.
Although ecology is a relatively new science, it is becoming
increasingly important as it provides ideas and conceptual tools
that help in the protection, conservation and management of the
environment and vital biological resources. It also feeds our
natural human curiosity about how plants and animals survive and
behave in the natural world.The B.Sc. Biological Sciences (Ecology)
course is taught along side the related programme B.Sc. Ecological
Science (Ecology). The two degree streams share many courses and
the difference between them is one of emphasis and ethos. Those
studying for Biological Sciences with Honours in Ecology will have
more biological courses, and are likely to end up knowing more
about such things as genetics, behavioural ecology and evolutionary
ecology. In contrast, the B.Sc. in Ecological Science (Honours) in
Ecology has more emphasis on the integration of biology with
environmental sciences and management, and is selected especially
by those heading for management-related careers in resource
management.Whichever of our ecology degree streams you have chosen,
you will attend vacation field courses and learn important
practical skills. Ecologists have to be able to perform in the
field as well as the laboratory, and to be skilled in the use of
computers. Our overall aim is to offer you the best of ecology,
within the degree stream that suits your aims and aspirations, and
to provide the learning environment in which you can achieve
individual excellence.When reading the following information you
will find it helpful to consult the information provided to
Ecology/Ecological Sciences students by the School of
Geosciences.As an honours student studying Biological Sciences
(Ecology):(a) You must do the following compulsory courses Points
ECSC10001 Dissertation in Ecology [Project]40 ECSC10009 Ecological
Science Field Course10 ECSC10017 Professional Skills in Ecological
Science10 ECSC10010 Ecological Science Synoptic Paper
[Examination]10 21 25. TWO OF ZLGY10007 Molecular Ecology 10
ZLGY10017 Biodiversity10 ECLG10003 Herbivory 10 ECSC10007
Ecological and Environmental Modelling10 ECSC10015 Plant
Ecophysiology 10Points 90(b) In addition you must take further
level 10 or 11 courses. These will normally* be from List 1 (below)
or other Biological Sciences or GeoSciences courses.30 Total points
120Number of electives to be chosen: Semester 1: three, Semester 2:
two. (Note that two of these electives must be chosen from the "Two
of:" list of courses given under compulsory courses
above.)*Students who wish a broader fourth year programme may
choose, subject to the approval of the Head of School (i.e. Head of
SBS, SBMS as appropriate), other level 10 or 11 courses from
outside Biology. Students wishing to do this should first discuss
it with their Director of Studies and their Honours Programme
Organiser. Approval will only be given for courses that fit
appropriately with the chosen honours specialisation and for which
they are suitably qualified. The requirement for these courses to
be at level 10 or 11 means that students wishing to take this
option should plan for this early in their University career.
Otherwise, earlier course choices may limit later
choices.Compulsory Courses for the Ecology Honours Degree Programme
CodeCourse NameProg SemTime Slot ECSC10009 Ecological Science Field
CourseEcolSci Before Semester 1 Description: Ecological Science
Field Course Requirements: ECSC10017 Professional Skills in
Ecological ScienceEcolSci1 Mon am Description: Professional Skills
in Ecological Science Requirements: ECSC10001 Dissertation in
EcologyEcolSci2None Description: Dissertation in Ecology
Requirements: ECSC10010 Ecological Science Synoptic
PaperEcolSci2None Description: Ecological Science Synoptic Paper
Requirements: 22 26. List 1: Recommended elective courses for the
Ecology Honours Degree Programme. As described above, students must
take two of the first five of these courses. Further details on the
remaining courses may be found starting on page 82. Information on
your choices will be considered along side any information you have
already given to the Ecology Honours Programme Organiser. Code
Course Name Prog Sem Time SlotMaxClass ECLG10003 HerbivoryEcology2
Mon & Wed am Description: The course will consider
plant-herbivore community ecology; the responses of animals and
plants to each other, and the effects of climatic variability on
the dynamics of grazing systems. Although there will be discussion
of management implications, the main emphasis will be on community,
physiological and systems ecology. Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer. Normally Population & Community
Ecology 3 or Behavioural Ecology 3 is required. ECSC10007
Ecological and Environmental EcolSci2 Tues & Fri pm Modelling
Description: Along with observation and experimentation, modelling
is a critical tool for scientific investigations, and it is
becoming increasingly important in environmental management, from
local to global scales. A model is a mathematical description of a
system, necessarily simplified and only an approximation to the
truth, but designed to describe and predict the behaviour of that
system. Comparisons between model predictions and independent data
provide a key test of scientific understanding, and a basis for
refinement of hypotheses. In this course, we will explore the
philosophy of modelling, and examine strengths and weaknesses of
various modelling approaches. Then, using ecological and
environmental models based on physical, chemical and biological
principles, we will examine issues related to non-linear systems,
dynamic simulation, feedback and control, and the problem of
scaling. The course will emphasise problem-solving, and will
provide training in mathematical formalisation of a problem, model
construction and parametrisation, prediction and testing, and
sensitivity and error analyses. Requirements: ECSC10015 Plant
EcophysiologyEcolSci2 Tues & Thurs am Description: Plant
ecophysiology is concerned with the function and performance of
plants in their natural environment. It bridges the gap between
plant physiology and ecology. The course will consider
physiological and ecological aspects of adaptation to different
environments. Plants are remarkably well adapted to growing in a
range of environments from the Antarctic to hot dry deserts.
Ecophysiology is the scientific study of the processes that enable
them to do so. By the end of the unit you should be able to discuss
analytically the key physiological processes affecting plants
growing in the natural environment. Examples are drawn from
forests, agricultural systems and the natural environment and most
will relate to plants at the individual or stand scale. Sessions
will cover plant water relations, stomatal physiology,
transpiration, photosynthesis, global change, below-ground
processes and predictive modelling. Assessment will be based on two
Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions at the end of the course, an
essay and an oral presentation. Requirements: Evolution and Ecology
of Plants 3 is recommended ZLGY10007 Molecular EcologyZoology1
Thurs am 25 Description: This course will look critically at how
problems in ecology and conservation, such as measuring individual
reproductive success and developing conservation policy, can be
solved (or not) using molecular techniques. It will cover issues
from the individual to the population level, including plant mating
systems, gene flow and population history, identifying parentage,
measuring relatedness, sex identification and the study of sex
ratio, measuring inbreeding and the potential of molecular
techniques in conservation. Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer. Normally Evolutionary & Ecological
Genetics 3 or Behavioural Ecology 3 is required. 23 27. Code Course
Name Prog Sem Time Slot Max Class ZLGY10017 Biodiversity Zoology 1
Mon pm 25 Description: This course seeks to uncover the scientific
foundation of the study of biodiversity: what is it and what role
does it play in ecological processes and ecosystem function? The
existing science of biodiversity is overwhelmingly concerned with
macroscopic as opposed to microscopic animals and plants. We will
investigate whether this is appropriate. Typical units of
biodiversity studies are species. We will explore both higher
(ecosystem) and lower (genetic)levels of organisation. The material
covered consists of both the most contemporary research as well as
areas of classical ecology that have a renewed relevance.
Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.
Normally Population & Community Ecology 3 is
required.ECSC10025Effective Project PlanningGeoSci1 Mon & Wed
amand Management ECSC10012Land Use and WaterEcology 1Resources
ECSC10013Land Use Policy Ecology 1 Fri pm ECSC10014Land-Atmosphere
Ecology 1 Wed amInteractions GEGR10039Principles of
GeographicalGeography 1 Tues pmInformation Science PGGE11076Recent
Global Environmental Ecology 1 Tues pmChange ECSC10022Conservation
Management Ecology 2 Mon & Thurs pm ECSC10007Ecological
andEcolSci 2 Tues & Fri pmEnvironmental Modelling
ECSC10021Woodland Management Ecology 2 Fri am 24 28. EVOLUTIONARY
BIOLOGY Programme Organiser: Programme Secretary: Prof Paul
SharpMrs Pat Dougall Ashworth BuildingAshworth Building Kings
Buildings Kings Buildings Edinburgh EH9 3JTEdinburgh EH9 3JT 0131
651 36840131 650 5464 [email protected]@ed.ac.uk
Evolutionary Biology is at the centre of modern biology, spanning
the subject from genomes to whole organisms. All species, past and
present, are related in a common phylogenetic tree; and all the
diverse and extraordinary adaptations that allow organisms to
function have evolved through natural selection. Our understanding
of the history of life and the mechanism by which it has evolved
has influenced virtually every aspect of human society - from
literature to medicine. However, evolutionary biology is not simply
a historical science. Information on evolution and the application
of principles learned from the study of evolution also have many
practical uses in diverse fields such as conservation biology,
geology, computer science and epidemiology. This Honours Programme
will give a thorough grounding in the principles of evolutionary
biology, and will give an opportunity to study their application to
a wide variety of questions. A leading American biologist of the
20th century, Theodosius Dobzhansky, wrote in 1973 that Nothing in
biology makes sense except in the list of evolution: this seems
more true today than ever before.The programme consists of three
compulsory courses; a choice of up to four optional courses; and a
substantial research project.Compulsory Courses: Population and
Evolutionary Genetics builds on the third-year Evolutionary and
Ecological Genetics course to develop the basic principles of
population and evolutionary genetics. These are used to study
different ways in which genetic variants can be useful in biology,
including evolutionary biology, medicine, and the origins of human
diseases, agriculture and conservation biology. Animal Evolution
will cover several key areas, including phylogenetic analysis,
selection and adaptation, evolution of development, coevolution and
cospeciation, and the origin of life. This course will emphasise
the conceptual basis of current research on these topics. In
Semester 2, the Quantitative Zoology course provides training in
experimental design and the analysis and interpretation of data.
This is designed to provide the techniques necessary for analysing
the project.Optional courses: Students take optional courses
totalling 40 points, spread over Semesters 1 and 2. Note that some
20 point options are available. Various courses on specifically
evolutionary topics are offered, including Biodiversity, Evolution
and Climate Change, Evolution of Parental Care, Evolution of Sex
and Breeding Systems, Evolutionary Ecology of Hosts and Parasites,
Molecular Ecology and Molecular Phylogenetics. There are several
other courses from a variety of Honours Programmes which would be
appropriate: for example, Origins and Evolution of Language or
Segmentation: Evolution and Development.25 29. Research projects
are chosen towards the end of Semester 1 and run throughout
Semester 2 (with appropriate work during the Easter 'vacation').
Edinburgh is exceptionally strong in evolutionary biology, and so a
wide range of projects is offered: from ecological genetics to
analysis of genomic data, and from experimental evolution with
microbes to computer-based theoretical projects. Students are
encouraged to suggest and discuss project topics. There may also be
opportunities in external Research Institutes and the Royal
Scottish Museum, which are co-supervised by members of staff. In
the first half of Semester 2, students complete a literature review
relevant to the project area, and the project itself is written-up
and submitted as a thesis in April / May. As an honours student
studying Evolutionary Biology:(a) You must do the following
compulsory courses Points EVBI10002Evolutionary Biology Project40
EVBI10001Evolutionary Biology Synoptic Examination 10
ZLGY10001Animal Evolution10 ZLGY10003Quantitative Zoology10
EVBI10005Population & Evolutionary Genetics10 Points 80(b) In
addition you must take further level 10 or 11 Biological Sciences
courses. These will normally* be from List 1 (below).20(c) In
addition you must take further level 10 or 11 courses. These will
normally* be from Lists 1 or 2 (below).20Total points120Number of
electives to be chosen: 40 points in total, over Semesters 1 and
2.*Students who wish a broader fourth year programme may choose,
subject to the approval of the Head of School (i.e. Head of SBS,
SBMS as appropriate), other level 10 or 11 courses from outside
Biology. Students wishing to do this should first discuss it with
their Director of Studies and their Honours Programme Organiser.
Approval will only be given for courses that fit appropriately with
the chosen honours specialisation and for which they are suitably
qualified. The requirement for these courses to be at level 10 or
11 means that students wishing to take this option should plan for
this early in their University career. Otherwise, earlier course
choices may limit later choices.Compulsory Courses for the
Evolutionary Biology Honours Degree Programme CodeCourse Name Prog
SemTime Slot ZLGY10001 Animal EvolutionZoology1 Mon am Description:
Evolutionary topics that are particularly relevant to zoology, such
as phylogenetic analysis, evolution of developmental mechanisms,
selection and adaptation, co-evolution and co- speciation, and
major evolutionary transitions. Throughout, there is an emphasis on
how modern biologists investigate these topics Requirements:
Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.26 30. Code Course
Name ProgSemTime Slot EVBI10005 Population & Evolutionary
Genetics EvolBiol 1Tues am Description: This course will deal with
several types of ways that genetic variants can be useful in
biology, including evolutionary biology, medicine, agricultural
production and conservation biology. We will critically discuss
different approaches to analysing this genetic variation. The
lectures will cover methods for finding and quantifying genetic
variation for various types of markers that are currently
important, together with illustrations of their uses. The basic
principles of molecular evolution will include analysis of
divergence between sequences of different species, phylogenetic
tree estimation, the neutral theory of molecular evolution,
polymorphism within species, and methods to detect natural
selection acting on gene sequences. The principles of using markers
in genetic analysis of quantitative characters will include some of
the major current issues in this area, including the heritability
of human IQ, and will provide concepts needed to understand the
genetics of complex human diseases. Finally, the use of pedigree
information to study selection in natural populations, including
the effects of inbreeding on fitness and the maintenance of genetic
diversity, will be covered. Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer. Evolutionary and Ecolgocial Genetics
is recommended. EVBI10002 Evolutionary Biology Project EvoBiol2None
Description: Honours Project: Lab or Field Project - Thesis and
Performance (40 points) Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum
Approval Officer. EVBI10001 Evolutionary Biology Synoptic Exam
EvoBiol2None Description: Synoptic Exam Requirements: Permission of
the Curriculum Approval Officer. ZLGY10003 Quantitative Zoology
Zoology2Mon pm Description: A course teaching quantitative and
statistical skills required for the study of zoology and evolution.
Specific topics include: inference, experimental design and
hypothesis testing; assumption behind statistical models and choice
of statistical tests; analysis of variance and covariance; general
linear models; regression and multiple regression. There will be
lectures, tutorials and computer lab sessions. Requirements:
Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.List 1: Recommended
Elective Courses for the Evolutionary Biology Honours Degree
Programme. Further details may be found starting on page 82.
CodeCourse NameProg Sem Time SlotMaxClass ZLGY10017 Biodiversity
Zoology1 Mon pm25 ZLGY10013 Evolution of Sex & BreedingZoology1
Fri am25 Systems ZLGY10024 Evolutionary Ecology ofZoology1 Fri pm
25 Hosts and Parasites ZLGY10007 Molecular EcologyZoology1 Thurs am
25 ZLGY10020 Animal-Plant Interaction Zoology2 Mon & Wed am 25
ZLGY10023 Evolution and ClimateZoology2 Mon&Thurs am 25 Change
EVBI10003 Molecular PhylogeneticsEvoBiol2 Tue & Fri pm 27 31.
List 2: Suitable Elective Courses for the Evolutionary Biology
Honours Degree Programme. Further details may be found starting on
page 82. CodeCourse Name Prog Sem Time Slot MaxClass ZLGY10022
Evolution of Parental CareZoology 1Wed am 25 ARCA10003 Human
Origins Archaeol1Wed am ogy LASC10031 Origins and Evolution of1Mon
pm Language PLSC10020 Plant Evolution PlantSci1Thurs am ZLGY10008
Segmentation: Evolution and Zoology 1Tues pm25 Development
ECSC10007 Ecological andEcolSci 2Tues & Fri pm Environmental
Modelling28 32. GENETICS Programme Organiser: Programme Secretary:
Dr. Peter Fantes Ms Donna Wright Darwin BuildingBTO Kings Buildings
Darwin Building Edinburgh EH9 3JUKings Buildings 0131 650
5669Edinburgh EH9 3JU [email protected] 651
[email protected] Genetics is a biological discipline that
underlies the majority of modern biological research. It is
concerned with genes and the way in which they control the
properties of cells and organisms. A different aspect of Genetics
is the study of evolution, which has been revolutionised in recent
years by the availability of large DNA sequence datasets, including
full genome sequences for many species. This has also facilitated
the study of many human traits, including diseases, which have a
major genetic component but whose inheritance involves more than a
single gene. Genetics impacts on almost every aspect of our lives
from human genetics and health, infectious disease, what we eat and
drink, how we live to how we think of ourselves and others in the
scheme of things. It is involved in controversial areas such as the
use of genetically engineered crops and the biological and ethical
issues around human therapeutic cloning. It is unfortunately clear
that many people involved in these debates do not understand the
basic issues properly. Genetics students, in addition to being
informed about the basic science, are encouraged to consider how
these issues impact on society.Genetics Senior Honours is taught by
means of compulsory courses in Semester 1 and by elective courses
in Semesters 1 and 2. Three of the compulsory courses are lecture-
based, some lectures being shared with other honours programmes. A
further compulsory course (Data Interpretation) is specific to
Genetics Honours, and includes paper presentations by students,
essay writing and data analysis sessions to provide practice in
data handling and problem solving. As described below, a wide range
of elective courses is open to Genetics students, offered by
Genetics and other honours programmes. Semester 1 electives are
generally assessed by exam, Semester 2 electives by essay or other
continuous assessment.During Semester 2, each student conducts a
research project in a field of his or her own choice. These are
carried out under the supervision of a member of staff. Students
present their findings for evaluation at the end of the course in
the form of a short thesis and a 15 minute oral presentation. In
addition to the research project, Genetics students undertake a
library project of broad genetical interest, writing a dissertation
of 4000 words which is submitted in Semester 2.A synoptic exam at
the end of the course examines the student's overall knowledge and
understanding of Genetics, and ability to interpret genetical data.
Overall, examinations contribute about 50% to the final
assessment.Note: The Gene Expression course is normally required
for Genetics Honours (see below) but some flexibility may be
permitted. 29 33. Students with a particular interest in molecular
aspects of genetics might consider taking the parallel programme in
Molecular Genetics.As an honours student studying Genetics:(a) You
must do the following compulsory coursesPoints GENE10010 Genetics
Project40 GENE10016 Genetics Data Interpretation & Synoptic 20
Examination GENE10007 Genetic Approaches10 EVBI10005 Population
& Evolutionary Genetics10 MLBI10009 Gene Expression 10
GENE10011 Genetics Library Project10Points100(b) In addition you
must take further level 10 or 11 courses. These will normally* be
from Lists 1 and 2 (below).20 Total points120Number of electives to
be chosen: Semester 1: one, Semester 2: one.*Students who wish a
broader fourth year programme may choose, subject to the approval
of the Head of School (i.e. Head of SBS, SBMS as appropriate),
other level 10 or 11 courses from outside Biology. Students wishing
to do this should first discuss it with their Director of Studies
and their Honours Programme Organiser. Approval will only be given
for courses that fit appropriately with the chosen honours
specialisation and for which they are suitably qualified. The
requirement for these courses to be at level 10 or 11 means that
students wishing to take this option should plan for this early in
their University career. Otherwise, earlier course choices may
limit later choices.Compulsory Courses for the Genetics Honours
Degree Programme CodeCourse NameProg Sem Time Slot MLBI10009 Gene
ExpressionMolBiol1 Thurs am Description: The aim of these lectures
is to familiarise students with the variety of mechanisms
responsible for regulating the expression of genetic information at
the level transcription and post- transcription mechanisms.
Teaching will focus on the organisation and packaging of the
genetic material in eukaryotic cells and the implications this has
for genetic expression. In addition, basic transcription control
mechanisms will be examined in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. RNA
processing will be studied at the level of splicing and its
importance in the regulation of gene expression will be discussed.
The special mechanisms which have evolved to operate within, and to
take advantage of, a chromatin context will also be reviewed from a
biochemical and developmental perspective. Requirements: Permission
of the Curriculum Approval Officer. Structures and Functions of
Proteins 3 and Molecular Genetics 3 recommended. GENE10007 Genetic
Approaches Genetics 1Mon am Description: The aim of this course is
to familiarise students with genetic, molecular genetic and
bioinformatic approaches that are commonly used to study genes,
their expression and their functions, and how transgenic organisms
can be produced. The focus will be on the most frequently used
model organisms, Plants, Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and mouse,30 34. and will include classical as well very recent
technological developments. The final lecture will discuss the need
for computational methods to store, access and analyse genomic and
functional genomic data. Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum
Approval Officer. Molecular Genetics 3 is recommended. GENE10016
Genetics Synoptic/Data InterpretationGenetics 1Wed amExamination
Description: Review of problem/practical papers Requirements:
Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer. EVBI10005 Population
& Evolutionary Genetics EvolBiol 1Tues am Description: This
course will deal with several types of ways that genetic variants
can be useful in biology, including evolutionary biology, medicine,
agricultural production and conservation biology. We will
critically discuss different approaches to analysing this genetic
variation. The lectures will cover methods for finding and
quantifying genetic variation for various types of markers that are
currently important, together with illustrations of their uses. The
basic principles of molecular evolution will include analysis of
divergence between sequences of different species, phylogenetic
tree estimation, the neutral theory of molecular evolution,
polymorphism within species, and methods to detect natural
selection acting on gene sequences. The principles of using markers
in genetic analysis of quantitative characters will include some of
the major current issues in this area, including the heritability
of human IQ, and will provide concepts needed to understand the
genetics of complex human diseases. Finally, the use of pedigree
information to study selection in natural populations, including
the effects of inbreeding on fitness and the maintenance of genetic
diversity, will be covered. Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer. Evolutionary and Ecolgocial Genetics
is recommended. GENE10011 Genetics Library Project Genetics 2None
Description: Library Project - Dissertation Requirements:
Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer. GENE10010 Genetics
Project Genetics 2None Description: Honours Project: Lab Project -
Thesis and Performance (35 points) Assessed Talk (5 points)
Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer. List
1: Recommended Elective Courses for the Genetics Honours Degree
Programme. Further details may be found starting on page 82.
CodeCourse NameProg Sem Time SlotMaxClass DEBI10023 Cell Biology:
from CellBiol 1 Tues pm 25 fundamental mechanisms to human disease.
GENE10004 Genetics of Host-ParasiteGenetics 1 Fri am 20
Interactions MLBI10017 Molecular Biology of Disease MolBiol1 Fri am
ZLGY10008 Segmentation: Evolution andZoology1 Tues pm25 Development
GENE10015 The Cell Cycle: DNAGenetics 1 Thurs pm 50 Replication,
Segregation and Checkpoints GENE10001 Human Genetics/Mammalian
Genetics 2 HG - Mon am; HG Transgenesis and Genome MTGE - Tues
am30; EngineeringMTGE 2231 35. CodeCourse NameProg Sem Time
SlotMaxClass MLBI10004 Human Genetics/The RNA MolBiol 2HG Mon am;HG
World RNA Thurs am30;RNA 20 DEBI10017 Mammalian Stem CellDevBiol
2Tues & Fri am Biology GENE10002 Molecular & Cellular
Aspects Genetics2Mon & Thurs pm of HIV Infection MLBI10005 The
RNA World/MammalianMolBiol 2RNA Thurs am;RNA Transgenesis &
Genome MTGE Tues am20; EngineeringMTGE 22 List 2: Suitable Elective
Courses for the Genetics Honours Degree Programme. Further details
may be found starting on page 82. ZLGY10017 Biodiversity Zoology
1Mon pm25 ZLGY10013 Evolution of Sex & BreedingZoology 1Fri
am25 Systems BICH10002 Supercoiling in DNA andBiochem 1Mon pm12
Chromatin EVBI10003 Molecular PhylogeneticsEvoBiol 2Tue & Fri
pm BITE10008 Vaccines/Human GeneticsBiotech 2Mon & Tues am 32
36. IMMUNOLOGY Programme Organiser: Programme Secretary: Dr David
CavanaghMs Alexandra Bedetti Ashworth LaboratoriesAshworth
Laboratories Kings Buildings Kings Buildings Edinburgh EH9
3JTEdinburgh EH9 3JT 0131 650 54590131 650 5455 David.Cavanagh
@ed.ac.uk [email protected] is a rapidly evolving
subject that is at the forefront of many current advances in
science and medicine. Immunology is fundamental to the diagnosis
and treatment of important disorders including autoimmune and
allergic diseases and immune deficiencies. It is also central to
transplantation science, tumour biology and to vaccine development.
This integrated programme aims to provide students with an advanced
knowledge and understanding of the immune system, the ability to
apply the knowledge to medical, veterinary, biological and
biotechnological problems, and hands-on research
experience.Immunology Honours is an inter-college programme for
students of biological sciences and for medical students taking an
intercalated Honours year, leading to B.Sc. Hons in either
Biological Sciences (Immunology) or Medical Sciences (Immunology).
The programme is taught by staff from the College of Science and
Engineering and from the College of Medicine and Veterinary
Medicine, as well as from Research Institutes in and outside
Edinburgh. The teaching programme is run at the Institute for
Immunology and Infection Research, Kings Buildings. Practical
research projects are carried out in participating biomedical and
clinical research laboratories in Edinburgh.Immunology Honours is a
modular Programme of Courses. Of the seven 10 point courses
required for an honours degree, three are compulsory; other courses
(electives) are optional. Two of these electives must be from the
Immunology list, while the other two can be taken from other
programmes (eg. Infectious Diseases). Each course is taught on one
day per week. In Semester 1 teaching consists of 2 core
(compulsory) courses (Immunobiology and Molecular Immunology), as
well as 4 electives (Inflammation and Inflammatory Disease,
Immunity to Eukaryotic Parasites, Immunobiology of Malaria and Stem
Cells, Haematopoesis and Immune Therapy). These titles only
indicate the general areas of study; more specialised topics are
selected for deeper study. Teaching includes lectures, student
presentations and staff- led discussions, with about 2-3 hours/week
contact time (running over 10 weeks). Reading of original
scientific papers, preparation of oral and written presentations,
and team-work are essential components of these modules. Semester 1
modules will be examined by exam in weeks 12-13 (December). In the
first week of the course we take all the Immunology students for a
reading party to FIRBUSH, the University Centre for Sport and
Exercise Field Centre on Loch Tay. This provides an early
opportunity for students and staff to get to know one another. In
between the outdoor leisure activities at Firbush there are a few
light academic sessions: for instance a talk given by a leading UK
research immunologist.In Semester 2 only one Immunology elective
course is offered (Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases), running along
the same lines as Semester 1 courses. This will be 33 37. examined
by in-course assessment (eg. closed-book test). Also running in
semester 2 is a compulsory Immunology course, Experimental
Immunology, which is only open to Immunology Honours students and
is an adjunct to the Immunology Project. This course covers methods
and techniques that are crucial to modern experimental immunology
and will be examined by open-book assessment. The majority of time
during Semester 2 will be occupied by a compulsory individual
lab-based research project (worth 40 points: a wide variety of
topics are on offer). The project provides a real flavour of how
research is carried out, as the projects are all embedded in active
research labs, contributing to the labs research programme. The
work will be written up as a project report and this together with
a project performance score will make up 33% of the final degree
mark.Throughout the year, there are many relevant Immunology
seminars either as part of the Edinburgh Immunology Group or the
IIIR Seminar series. These seminars are regarded as an important
extension of the teaching and student attendance is strongly
advised.In May, there will be a final synoptic exam (worth 10
points) to test integrated immunological knowledge gained
throughout the year.As an honours student studying Immunology:(a)
You must do the following compulsory coursesPoints IMMU10008
Immunology Project40 IMMU10009 Immunology Synoptic Examination 10
IMMU10006 Experimental Immunology 10 IMMU10001 Immunobiology 10
IMMU10003 Molecular Immunology10 AT LEAST TWO OF: IMMU10002
Autoimmune and Allergic Diseases 10 IMMU10004 Inflammation and
Inflammatory Disease10 IMMU10005 Immunity to Eukaryotic Parasites
10 IMMU10007 Immunobiology of Malaria 10 IMMU10011 Stem cells,
haematopoiesis and immune therapy10Points 100(b) In addition you
must take further level 10 or 11 courses. These will normally* be
from Lists 1 and 2 (below).20Total points120Number of electives to
be chosen: Semester 1: three, Semester 2: one (Note that two of
these electives must be from the "TWO OF:" list of Immunology
courses in the table above.). It is, of course, possible to take 4
Immunology electives.*Students who wish a broader fourth year
programme may choose, subject to the approval of the Head of School
(i.e. Head of SBS, SBMS as appropriate), other level 10 or 11
courses from outside Biology. Students wishing to do this should
first discuss it34 38. with their Director of Studies and their
Honours Programme Organiser. Approval will only be given for
courses that fit appropriately with the chosen honours
specialisation and for which they are suitably qualified. The
requirement for these courses to be at level 10 or 11 means that
students wishing to take this option should plan for this early in
their University career. Otherwise, earlier course choices may
limit later choices. Compulsory Courses for the Immunology Honours
Degree Programme Code Course NameProgSemTime Slot
IMMU10001ImmunobiologyImmunol1Tues am Description: This course will
cover most aspects of the basic biology of the immune system.
Initial lectures will consider the cells of the immune system,
their function, the structure of lymphoid organs and how cells move
around within and between lymphoid organs to bring about crucial
interactions. The information provided is viewed as core knowledge
for students wishing to gain an honours degree in Immunology; it
will be useful, if not essential, for many of the other immunology
electives. Following on from this orientation to the immune system,
the course will narrow its focus onto 4 main areas of immune
biology: 1. How the innate immune system (evolutionarily old)
underlies and informs the adaptive immune system (lymphocytes). 2.
How the immune system decides when (and how) to respond (issues
such as co-stimulation, self versus non-self discrimination and
danger). 3 How the immune system is prevented from responding to
self (tolerance). 4. How the immune system remembers is has
encountered an microorganism already (memory). These represent
fields of very active current research and in which big, important
questions remain. The course will involve a mixture of lectures and
problem-based learning with an emphasis on discussion of the
controversial aspects of the subject. Requirements: Permission of
the Curriculum Approval Officer. Normally Immunology 3 (or Clinical
Immunology & Haematology 3 at the discretion of the Honours
Programme Organiser.) IMMU10003Molecular Immunology Immunol1Mon am
Description: This course will introduce the structure and function
of the families of molecules employed by the immune system to
recognize and initiate a responses to antigen. It will provide an
essential grounding for the understanding of the complex cellular
interactions of the immune response. We will initially look at
receptors involved in the recognition of antigens during the early
phases of immunity. In particular we will examine Toll-Like
Receptors (TLRs), components of the complement system, and
receptors expressed on natural killer (NK) cells. In mammals, once
an immune response is initiated, more complex families of molecules
are used to deal with individual pathogens. A major focus of this
course will be the molecules encoded by the MHC. Examination of the
structure, polymorphism and intra-cellular trafficking of this
family is essential to appreciate their role in 'presenting'
antigenic peptides to activate the acquired immune response. MHC
presentation of peptide antigens leads to activation T cells via
the T cell receptor (TCR). This receptors ability to recognize an
almost unlimited range of antigenic peptides associated with MHC
molecules will be studied. B cells also recognize antigens via a
specialized receptor (BCR). The structure of this receptor as well
as the generation of a repertoire of capable of recognizing
differing antigens will be examined. This course will conclude by
looking at the molecules that transducing signals from antigen
receptors. This will include both intracellular pathways, leading
to cell activation, as well as the expression of accessory
molecules. These include membrane- bound co-stimulation molecules
and secreted molecules capable of relaying signals to other cells
either locally (cytokines) or further away (chemokines).
Requirements: Permission of the Curriculum Approval Officer.
Normally Immunology 3 (or Clinical Immunology & Haematology 3
at the discretion of the Honours Programme Organiser). 35 39. Code
Course Name Prog Sem Time Slot IMMU10006Experimental Immunology
Immunol 2 Wed am Description: This course is a constituent part of
the Immunology Honours project. During the first two weeks of the
course there will be lectures, demonstrations and discussion
sessions on commonly used immunological techniques, such as ELISA,
Flow cytometry and FACS sorting, in vivo adoptive transfer, Western
blots, immunoprecipitation. This will be augmented by the
reading/discussion of papers illustrating the use of certain
techniques (in particular, flow cytometry) and a session (in
working groups) based around the solution of technical/experimental
planning problems. In course assessment will take the form of
questions set on a research paper given to students 24 hours
previously and designed to probe practical knowledge and the
ability to interpret results. Requirements: Permission of the
Curriculum Approval Officer. Only open to Immunology Honours
students. IMMU10008Immunology ProjectImmunol 2None Description: The
Immunology Honours Projects are lab-based projects run in
immunology-related research labs in and around Edinburgh. Projects
are designed to be simple, but stimulating introductions to the
process of scientific research. Placements are made in active
research labs and the projects are usually an integral part of the
labs' research effort. It is usual for students to be supe