MBV2020 – Laboratory course
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course provides basic expertise in biochemical and molecular biology techniques.
Learning outcome
After the course you should be able to:
- explain the principles of important biological and biochemical properties of amino acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, ATP, and DNA.
- use basic biochemical and molecular biology skills in laboratory work.
- plan and carry out simple isolations of biological molecules from several types of biological sources. Separate, identify, and quantify biological molecules such as amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA.
- digest plasmids with restriction enzymes, amplify and clone DNA, and isolate recombinant proteins from E. coli cells.
- plan and carry out simple measurements of initial rates, enzyme activities, and Km values in enzyme kinetics, and explain basic principles of enzyme kinetics.
- write a lab report that includes an evaluation of the results obtained in the laboratory.
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
-
Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).
MBV1050 – Biochemistry I: Structure and function of biomolecules (discontinued) or a similar course and MBV2010 – Molecular biology (continued) taken at the same time or earlier.
Following courses must also be taken in the same semester or earlier than MBV2020:
For students attending MBV2020 spring 2014 or later, applies that MBV2020 can't be included in a degree before HMS0503 is passed.
Recommended previous knowledge
Teaching
MBV2020 is a laboratory course in which attendance is compulsory. A lab report must be handed in once a week at specified time. All lab reports must be approved for admission to the exams in the respective parts.
The course consists of 54 hours (6 hours per week) lab in the biochemistry part and 36 hours (8 hours per week) lab in the molecular biology part, including 9 hours introductory lectures for the biochemistry part and about 8 hours for the molecular biology part. In the biochemistry part, we also offer 9 hours problem solving with supervision. The biochemistry part is taught first. One has to take the theoretical course MBV2010 – Molecular biology (continued) either before this course - or in in parallel.
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.
Examination
All lab reports must be approved for admission to the exams in the respective parts.
The examination in MBV 2020 consists of two exams. Both must be passed in order to pass the course.
Written mid-term exam , 3 hours, in March (counts 50%)after the biochemistry portion of the course. Allowed examination aids: None. Students have to pass the mid-term exam before the final exam. Candidates who withdraw during the mid-term examination or failed and students with valid grounds for absence, sickness, have to take a new mid-term exam 3 - 5 weeks after the first one.
Final written exam, 2 hours in June (counts 50%) after the molecular portion of the course. Allowed examination aids: None.
This subject offer new examination in the beginning of the subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary examination or fail an ordinary examination. More information about new examination can be found on the university's site.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.
Other
The course is compulsory for Molecular biology and Biochemistry directions within the program “Molecular biosciences”. Must be studied after or in parallel with MBV2010 – Molecular biology (continued).