MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (01:694:408/11:115:512)
This course is intended for Life Science majors or those with a strong background in the Biological Sciences.
This course may be used to fulfill the elective requirements of the Biological Sciences major.
Offered: For Spring 2022 this course will be taught in person Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:50-5:10 PM in Tillet Hall Rm-254 on Livingston campus
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: Prerequisite for 01:694:408 is 01:694:407 (preferred), or 01:694:301, 11:115:301, or 11:115:403. Credit not given for both 01:694:408 and 01:146:478 or 11:126:481.
Course Description
Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 01: 694:407-408 is offered as the primary lecture courses for undergraduate students in the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry major, as well as for non-majors who wish to enroll in a contemporary, comprehensive two-semester course in these rapidly developing disciplines. Biochemistry 11:115:511-512 mainly serves graduate students in Graduate Programs other than Molecular Biosciences. Topics in the 408/512 course include recombinant DNA approaches, DNA replication, repair and recombination, mobile genetic elements, transcription and gene regulation, RNA processing and splicing, and translation.
Course URL: A Canvas site will be set up at the beginning of the semester
Tentative Lecture Schedule
| # | Day | Date | Topic | Instructor | Chapter in Watson et al 7th ed. |
| 1 | Tues. | 1/18 | DNA Structure | 4: 77-92 | |
| 2 | Thurs | 1/20 | DNA Replication Proteins – Structure, Function & In-vitro activities | 9: 257-278 | |
| 3 | Tues. | 1/25 | Regulation of DNA Topology - Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic | 4: 93-103, 8:220-222, 2: 21-30 | |
| 4 | Thurs | 1/27 | Prokaryotic DNA Replication | 9: 278-296 | |
| 5 | Tues. | 2/1 | Eukaryotic DNA Replication | 9: 296-311 | |
| 6 | Thurs | 2/3 | Recombinant DNA 1 | 7: 147-168 | |
| E1 | Tues. | 2/8 | Exam I (Covers Lectures 1-6) See exam rules below | ||
| 7 | Thurs | 2/10 | Recombinant DNA 2 | 7: 147-168 | |
| 8 | Tues. | 2/15 | DNA Damage & Mutability | 10: 313-324 | |
| 9 | Thurs | 2/17 | DNA Repair | 10: 324-338 | |
| 10 | Tues. | 2/22 | Homologous & Site-specific Recombination | 11: 341-375 | |
| 11 | Thurs | 2/24 | DNA Transposition and Ig Gene Rearrangement | 12: 377-420 | |
| 12 | Tues. | 3/1 | Genome Structure and Chromatin | 8: 199-255 | |
| E2 | Thurs | 3/3 | Exam II (Covers Lectures 7-12) | ||
| 13 | Tues. | 3/8 | Basic Mechanisms of Transcription | |
13:429-462 |
| 14 | Thurs | 3/10 | Transcriptional Regulation in Bacteria | 18:615-635 | |
| Tues. | 3/15 | Spring Break | |||
| Thurs | 3/17 | Spring Break | |||
| 15 | Tues. | 3/22 | Transcriptional Regulation in Bacteria and Phage | 18:636-652 | |
| 16 | Thurs | 3/24 | Methods in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry | 7:168-190 | |
| 17 | Tues. | 3/29 | Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes 1 | 13: 462-464, 19: 657-686 | |
| 18 | Thurs | 3/31 | Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes 2 | 19: 687-698 | |
| E3 | Tues. | 4/5 | Exam III (Covers Lectures 13-18) | ||
| 19 | Thurs | 4/7 | Post-transcriptional Control: Splicing & Polyadenylation | 5:107-118, 14:467-506 | |
| 20 | Tues | 4/12 | Post-transcriptional Control: Splicing & Polyadenylation (cont.) | 114:467-506‡ | |
| 21 | Thurs | 4/14 | Post-transcriptional Control: Splicing & Polyadenylation (cont.) | 14:467-506‡ | |
| 22 | Tues. | 4/19 | RNA World, Ribozymes, RNA Splicing | 14:467-506‡, 20:701-731 | |
| 23 | Thurs | 4/21 | Control of mRNA Translation, Stability, Localization | 20:701-731 | |
| 24 | Tues. | 4/26 | Translation: Bacterial & Eukaryotic | 15:509-544‡, 6:573-590 | |
| 25 | Thurs | 4/28 | Translation: Bacterial & Eukaryotic | 15:509-544‡, 16:573-590 | |
| E4 | TBD | Exam IV (Covers Lectures 19-25) |
Course Satisfies Departmental Learning Goals
1. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge that is needed to begin biomedical research and that is required for post-graduate exams and studies.
2. Students should demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate information about specific biological systems or problems.
3. Students should demonstrate the ability to design experiments and critically analyze data.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
694:408 Grades will have two components:
1. Exams (100%): Four examinations of equal weight will be given on the indicated dates. Exam questions will consists of multiple choice, multiple answer, calculation and short answer responses. Exams will be administered in-person only.
Students who miss an exam will have 24 hours after the exam due date to contact the coordinator to arrange a makeup. If an exam is missed because of illness, a makeup exam will be available if supporting documentation is provided from a physician. Makeup exams may occasionally also be scheduled by prior arrangement with the coordinator in case of extraordinary events. If no previous arrangement has been made or documentation provided, then a fifteen (15) point penalty will be applied. Any makeup is to take place within 72 hours of the exam due date.
2. Extra credit for submitting online course survey to CTAAR (+0.25%). Submit your anonymous course survey, also known as SIRS, during the last week of class and upload your receipt through Canvas to obtain extra credit. More information on how to obtain and submit the receipt will be provided when the survey opens.
115: 512 Grades will have a second component to their Exam grade:
3. Graduate students will submit a 1000-word term paper on a current topic in molecular biology. Topics will be assigned and submitted through Canvas no later than 5 PM April 23, 2022.
All exams are closed book. All four examinations will be averaged and weighted equally in assigning final grades. In the rare case that you suspect an exam question has not been accurately graded, a request for re-grading will be considered WITHIN ONE WEEK AFTER EXAM PAPERS HAVE BEEN RETURNED. In such cases, the entire exam will be regraded so that points may be added or subtracted as appropriate.
Academic Integrity Policy: Students are expected to follow the Rutgers Academic Integrity Code. When required of graduate students, written work is also subject to this policy. Violations include: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, denying others access to information or material, and facilitating violations of academic integrity. It is not permitted for students to share information about exam questions or answers during an assessment period, and there will be zero tolerance in cases where this occurs. Students caught cheating will get a zero for the exam and the Dean's office will be notified.
Students who are unable to take an hourly exam at the scheduled time because of compelling reasons supported by documentation, such as a note from their physician - NOT THE HEALTH CENTER - may be permitted to take a make-up examination. Arrangements should be made with Prof. Bunting
Disability:Students with disabilities who require accommodation must follow the procedures outlined by the Office of Disability Services (https://ods.rutgers.edu)
Course Materials
Watson, J.D., et al. (2014) Molecular Biology of the Gene, 7th Ed., Pearson. (ISBN: 9780321762436)
‡Supplemental Readings will be posted on the Canvas site for the course.
Course Closed?
If 694:408 is closed please contact Dr. Sam Gunderson
Faculty
Course Coordinator:
Nelson Biology Labs, A-322
phone: (732) 445-1016
Participating Faculty:
Student Support Services
Student Success Essentials: https://success.rutgers.edu
Student Support Services: https://www.rutgers.edu/academics/student-support
The Learning Centers: https://rlc.rutgers.edu/
Rutgers Libraries: https://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/
Bias Incident Reporting: https://studentaffairs.rutgers.edu/bias-incident-reporting
Dean of Students – Student Support Office: https://success.rutgers.edu/resource/dean-students-student-support-office
Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services: https://veterans.rutgers.edu
Student Health Services: http://health.rutgers.edu/
Counseling, Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program & Psychiatric Services (CAPS): http://health.rutgers.edu/medical-counseling-services/counseling/
UWill: free immediate access to teletherapy; you can choose a therapist based on your preferences including issue, gender, language, ethnicity. http://health.rutgers.edu/uwill/
Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance: vpva.rutgers.edu/
Office of Disability Services: https://ods.rutgers.edu/
Basic Needs Assistance (food, housing, and other essentials): https://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/basic-needs
Rutgers Student Food Pantry: https://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/food-pantry
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
