BIOS4030 – Laboratory Methods in Cellular Biology

Course content

The course will cover the theoretical aspects and applications of a range of methods used in experimental cell biology. A number of prominently used model systems in cell biological studies will be described. Practicals will involve demonstrations in a number of the topics/systems covered in the lectures. Each student will also have the opportunity to select one or more of the topics covered in the demonstrations for intensive practicals in small groups.

Learning outcome

After completing the course you are expected to:

• Demonstrate insight into many of the most extensively used laboratory methods in experimental cell biology.
• Know some of the most popular experimental model systems that are used to answer research questions about cell and tissue structure and function.
• Be able to perform some basic laboratory methods in experimental cell biology.
• Be able to communicate scientific findings to peers.

Admission to the course

Students admitted at UiO must apply for courses in Studentweb. Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

Nordic citizens and applicants residing in the Nordic countries may apply to take this course as a single course student.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Applicants are ranked by the following criteria:

• Master students who have the course as a mandatory part of their programme
• Master students at the MN faculty who have the course as part of the approved curriculum.
• Students with admission to single courses on master’s level and exchange students

Applicants are ranked by credits in each group; all applicants within 1st rank before applicants in 2nd etc. If admission is limited to a fixed number of participants, admission will be decided by drawing lots for students who are ranked equally

Formal prerequisite knowledge

HMS0503 – Laboratory Safety

Recommended previous knowledge

BIOS3700 – Cell Biology 2

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with MBV4030 – Laboratory methods in cellular biology (continued).

Teaching

The course consists of:

• lectures
• laboratory work with commonly used methods in experimental cell biology
• group work presentations

The course is taught as an intensive course over 5 weeks, where participation in the teaching and delivery of hand-ins is compulsory. There is a requirement of 90% attendance and completion of the practicals.

Attendance is mandatory for the first lecture, also for those on the waiting list. You will lose your seat on the course if documentation for valid absence is not provided to the student administration studieinfo@ibv.uio.no prior to the first lecture

As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student. A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Examination

• Oral exam at the end of the course that consists of 12 minutes presentation over a given topic related to the course content in cell biology. Counts for 100%

All compulsory participation and work must be approved in order to take the exam. It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: MBV4030.

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed.

Language of examination

You may have your presentation for the exam in Norwegian or English

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed exam 

New examinations are offered for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.

We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.