Class Times: Lecture: MW, 9:00 - 9:50 in FSC 016
                         Lab:       R, 385-01, 11:00-12:50, 385-02, 1:30-3:20 in FSC 132

Text: Essential Cell Biology by Alberts et al. second edition ISBN#0-8153-2045-0
 

Instructor: Dr. Bill Patrie	Campus Phone: (717) 477-1400
Office: FSC 152	Email: wjpatr@ship.edu

The objectives of this course are to become familiar with some of the details concerning cell structure and
function, to understand some of the current experimental techniques and how to apply them, and to learn
to read and write about the current literature. Topics will include: the structure and function of biological
molecules;  genes and gene expression; cellular energetics; the structure, function and biogenesis of
membranes and organelles; and the relationship between regulation of the cell cycle and cancer.

The laboratory portion of this class will provide some hands-on experience with modern cell biological
methods.  These will include growth and maintenance of cells in vitro, protein electrophoresis,
immunochemical and immunofluorescent detection of specific proteins, DNA isolation, and the detection
of specific genes by PCR.

Students who require special accommodations for taking tests or notes, should make an appointment to see me so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
 
 

DATE		TOPIC	CHAPTER
Jan   Mon	12	Overview of Cell Structure and Function	1
Wed	14	Overview of Cell Structure and Function: Begin Chemical Components of Cells	1& 2
Thurs	15	Lab # 1 Micropipette Use & BCA Protein Assay
Mon	19	MLK Day - No class
Wed	21	Chemical Components of Cells	2
Thurs	22	Lab # 2 Examination of Proteins using Chime  Web Link  Quiz (Chapters 1 & 2)
Mon	26	Protein Structure and Function	4
Wed	28	Protein Structure and Function; Protein Methods	4
Thurs	29	Lab # 3 Immunofluorescence    Quiz (amino acids)
Feb    Mon	2	Protein Structure and Function; Protein Methods	4
Wed	4	Protein Structure and Function; Protein Methods	4
Thurs	5	Lab # 3 Immunofluorescence (continued)  Quiz (Chapter 4)
Mon	9	DNA Structure and Replication	5 & 6
Wed	11	DNA Structure and Replication	5 & 6
Thurs	12	Lab # 4 Cell Culture Quiz (Chapters 5 & 6)
Mon	16	From DNA to Protein,  Gene Regulation	7 & 8
Wed	18	From DNA to Protein,  Gene Regulation	7 & 8
Thurs	19	Lab # 5  Detection of Cellular Proteins by Western Analysis  Quiz (Chapters 7 & 8)
Mon	23	DNA Technology	10
Wed	25	DNA Technology	10
Thurs	26	Lab # 5 Detection of Cellular Proteins by Western Analysis (continued)   Quiz (Chapter 10)
Mar    Mon	1	Bioenergetics	3
Wed	3	Membrane Structure	11
Thurs	4	Spring Break
Mar 8, 10, 11		Spring Break
Mon	15	Membrane Transport	12
Wed	17	Metabolism	13
Thurs	18	Lab # 5 Detection of Cellular Proteins by Western Analysis (continued) Quiz (Chapters 11 & 12)
Mon	22	Mitochondria and Chloroplasts	14
Wed	24	Mitochondria and Chloroplasts	14
Thurs	25	Lab # 6 Protein and DNA Sequence Analysis   Web Link   Quiz (Chapter 14)
Mon	29	Intracellular Compartments and Transport	15
Wed	31	Intracellular Compartments and Transport	15
April Thurs	1	Lab # 7 Metabolism  Quiz (Chapters 15)
Mon	5	Cell communication	16
Wed	7	Cell communication	16
Thurs	8	Lab # 7 Metabolism (continued)  Quiz (Chapter 16)
Mon	12	No Class
Wed	14	Cytoskeleton   Afternoon/Evening Poster Sessions	17
Thurs	15	Lab # 8 PCR  Quiz (Chapters 17)
Mon	19	Tissues and extracellular matrix	21
Wed	21	Cell Cycle Control	18 & 19
Thurs	22	Lab # 8 PCR (continued) Quiz (Chapters 21)
Mon	26	Cell Cycle Control and  Cancer	18 & 19
Wed	28	Cell Cycle Control and  Cancer	21
Thurs	29	Lab # 8 PCR (continued)  Quiz (Chapters 18,19,21)

To Top

Grading
 

Exams & Quizzes

Approximately 13 quizzes, worth 20 points each, will be given during the semester.  Format for quizzes will vary from in-class short answer quizzes given during the lab period, and take-home, problem-based quizzes due on Fridays.  The final exam is cumulative (150 points) and similar in format to the quiz questions but will administered during final week in class.

Literature Assignments

There will be three literature-reading homework assignments. These assignments are designed to help you to read and write about the current literatureand to integrate the information with  you receive in lecture and from your text with current topics in cell biology.

Lab Reports and Notebooks

You will be expected to keep a detailed laboratory notebook.  The notebook will be checked during lab for completeness and organization.   There will be three formal  laboratory reports worth 20 points each, and two short reports worth 10 points each.

Poster Presentations

Each student is required to research the literature in order to prepare and present a poster session on a cell biology related topic of your choice.  The poster session will be presented in conjunction with the joint poster session for immunology & biochemistry.  If you are enrolled in more than one of these courses, you may prepare one poster session on a topic that is related to all courses.  More information concerning the design and preparation of the poster session will be posted at a later date.

The final grade will be based on an approximate total of 665 points and will be based on the following:
 
 

Quizzes	260
Final Exam	150
Literature Assignments	75
Poster Session	50
Laboratory Reports	80
Laboratory Notebook	50
Total	665

I don't usually grade on a curve.  Final letter grades will be based on the percentage determined by dividing your point total by the total points in the course.

                    A= 90 and above;  B=80-89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F= less than 60.
 

To Top

The Textbook

The text, Essential Cell Biology 2nd Edition by Bruce Alberts et al. is an introductory cell text that is reasonably well organized and easy to read. We will for the most part follow its organization.  The authors include questions throughout and at the end of each chapter which test how well you understand and assimilate important concepts. Try to answer these questions after you read the chapters. Answers are in the back of the text!  Make a good effort to answer them before resorting to the answer key: the act of problem solving is the real key to learning.  Finally, the text  is packaged with an interactive student CD that contains animations of many of the important concepts and techniques described in the text.

To Top

Revised: 2/10/04