SCHOOL OF MEDICINE- MEDICAL SCHOOL
FOUNDATION PROGRAM
BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES, CELL STRUCTURE AND
FUNCTION (BIO 101)
SYLLABUS AND DETAILED COURSE GUIDE
Part 1: Course Description and Resources
Lecturer/Facilitator: Mrs Lupupa K. Tembo BSc. MSc.
Office: A8
Office hours: 08:00hrs to 17:00hrs (Monday to Friday)
Lecturer’s E-mail: lktembo@cavendish.co.zm
Course Description
Many processes of life depend on molecules composed largely of the atoms
C, H, O and to a less extent N, P and S. These make up the functional groups
which give biological molecules their properties. Cells are the building units of
organisms and their structure and functions give living organisms their
properties. This course is designed to build a deep and broad foundational
base for students intending to take up careers in the life sciences in general
and medical sciences in particular.
The aim of this course is to introduce students to the properties of the major
molecules that govern life. Students will also be introduced to the structure
and organization of cells and tissues and how these are similar or different
from each other. Additionally the functions of various organelles will also be
covered.
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Prerequisites
Year 1 Biology
Required Books and Articles
Kent, M. 2000. Advanced biology. Oxford University Press, London.
ISBN 0-19-914195-9 (P)
Elliot, W.H. and Elliot. D.C. 2004. Biochemistry and molecular biology.
3rd ed.
Oxford. ISBN 0-19-927199-2 (R)
Taylor, D.J., Green, N.P.O. and Stout. G.W. 1997. Biological Science.
Cambridge
University Press, London. ISBN 0-521-63923-9. (R)
Course Delivery
Lectures: 3 hours / week
Tutorials: 1 hour / week
Practicals: 3 hours / week
Group work
Part 2: Student Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss the structural characteristics of prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells.
2. Distinguish prokaryotic from eukaryotic cells with reference to cell
structure and function.
3. Describe the mechanisms of membrane transport.
4. Carry out simple experiments such as tests for different biomolecules.
5. Describe the atomic structure of carbohydrates and their general
formulae
6. Explain the dipole nature of water
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7. Describe the properties of water that enables it support life.
8. Explain the disorders of carbohydrate metabolism in humans.
9. Describe the nature of lipids and the formation of the ester bond.
10.Describe the types of bonds that stabilize the primary, secondary
,tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins.
11.Compare the structure of fibrous and globular proteins.
12.Explain the lock and key hypothesis and the hypothesis of induced fit
in relation to enzyme catalysed reactions.
13.Describe the factors that affect enzyme catalysed reactions.
14.Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells with regard to membrane
bound organelles.
15.Distinguish DNA replication in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
16.Apply statistical methods to the analysis of research data.
17.Apply microscopy to the analysis of cell structure.
18.Interpret information from an electron micrograph.
19.Perform physical and chemical sterilization techniques to the study of
microbiology.
20.Present the dependent and independent variables on appropriate axes
of a graph.
21.Present data from experiments in various formats including tables,
graphs and charts.
22.Demonstrate competence in practical skills in basic biology including
microscopy.
23.Identify cellular structures from electron micrographs.
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Part 3: Course Outline
WEEK 1:
Topic: Cell structure
Subtopics: ● Cell theory
Cellular organelles structure and function
Organization of the cell membrane
Readings:
Kent, M. (2000), Advanced Biology, Oxford University Press, London.
Pages 56-62.
https://alevelnotes.com/Cells/5#/?id=111
https://alevelnotes.com/Cells/5#/?id=128
https://alevelnotes.com/Cells/5#/?id=129
https://alevelnotes.com/Cells/5#/?id=142
https://alevelnotes.com/Cells/5#/?id=143
https://alevelnotes.com/notes/biology/cells/cell-membranes/the-fluid-
mosaic-model
Free online videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV4kdJrV60o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYgpHNiyLKM
WEEK 2:
Topic: Cell structure
Subtopics: ● The prokaryotic cell
The eukaryotic cell
Topic: Cell division
Subtopics: ● Mitosis
● Meiosis
Readings:
https://alevelnotes.com/Cells/5#/?id=147
Kent, M. (2000), Advanced Biology, Oxford University Press, London.
Pages 66-67.
Kent, M. (2000), Advanced Biology, Oxford University Press, London.
Pages 76-79.
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Free online videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5E3xSJzAkQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6hn3sA0ip0
WEEK 3:
Topic: Cell division
Subtopics: ● Gametogenesis: spermatogenesis and oogenesis
Topic: Biological macromolecules
Subtopics: ● Atomic composition
Free online videos:
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMlnPHwn5k8
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUVnVZkNd48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtCjQYosj_g
WEEK 4:
Topic: Biological Macromolecules
Subtopics: ● Atomic composition
● Water
● Carbohydrates
Readings:
https://alevelnotes.com/Cells/5#/?id=135
https://alevelnotes.com/Biological-Molecules/49?tree=#/?id=65
Kent, M. (2000), Advanced Biology, Oxford University Press, London.
Pages 26- 28.
Free online videos:
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1hacLLAgsM
Assignment 1:
Find the assignment on the site:
http://sites.google.com/site/lupupakt/
File name: “BIO 101 Assignt 1”
Due date: 12th September, 2018.
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WEEK 5:
Topic: Biological Macromolecules
Subtopics: ● Carbohydrates
● Lipids
Free online videos:
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH_Yl1pPqMI
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymGDm9AzVp8
WEEK 6: 1ST CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT (CAT 1) 15%
WEEK 7:
Topic: Biological macromolecules
Subtopics: ● Proteins
● Enzymes
Readings:
https://alevelnotes.com/notes/biology/biological-
molecules/enzymes/enzymes
Free online videos:
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymGDm9AzVp8
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YESCfAIC6VI
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5E6oU338nw
Assignment 2
TBA
WEEK 8:
Topic: Biological Macromolecules
Subtopics: ● Nucleic Acids
● DNA replication
● Protein synthesis
Readings:
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https://alevelnotes.com/notes/biology/biological-molecules/nucleic-
acids/nucleotides
https://alevelnotes.com/notes/biology/biological-molecules/nucleic-
acids/the-structure-of-dna
https://alevelnotes.com/notes/biology/biological-molecules/nucleic-
acids/rna-and-protein-synthesis
Free online videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lZRAShqft0
WEEK 9: Mid Semester Break
WEEK 10:
Topic: Photosynthesis
Subtopics: - Chloroplast structure
- Photosynthetic pigments
- Light and dark reactions
WEEK 11:
Topic: Course synthesis and Exam preparation
WEEK 12: 2ND CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT (CA 2) 15%
WEEK 13: STUDY BREAK
WEEK 14
FINAL EXAMINATION 60%
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Part 4: GRADING POLICY
Graded Coursework (or CAs), Problem sets (or assignments) and practical
and theory examinations
ASSESSMENT % OF FINAL GRADE COMMENTS
1st Continuous Assessment (CA) 15%
2nd Continuous Assessment (CA) 15%
Assignments 10%
Final Exam Theory 60%
Final Exam Practical -
TOTAL POINTS 100%
LETTER GRADES
MARKS GRADE
85 – 100 A+ Distinction
75 – 84 A Distinction
70 – 74 B+ Merit
65 – 69 B Credit
55 – 64 C+ Definite pass
50 – 54 C Bare pass
45 – 49 D+ Bare fail
35 – 44 D Clear fail
0 – 34 E Ungraded
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Part 5: COURSE POLICIES
Class Attendance, Participation and
Emergencies
Attending classes is mandatory for all students.
1. Participation in group work or teamwork is required whenever such
work is assigned.
2. In case of any emergency that disenables a student from attending
classes or completing work, the student is expected to communicate
with the lecturer or dean as soon as possible.
3. Students with disabilities should inform the dean of the faculty of any
special needs that they may have.
Late Work and Missing Assessments
1. Each student is responsible for making sure that his or her work is
done on time.
2. Any student who misses’ assessments or misses class should talk to
his or her lecturer/facilitator or professor as soon as possible and seek
the lecturer’s advice on how to make up for work missed or
assessments missed.
3. Students who expect to miss classes or to miss assessments for health
reasons or special family reasons should communicate with the
lecturer or professor for the course as soon as possible.
4. Students should note that there may be a penalty for late work, and
missed assessments. The penalty may include not being allowed
to sit for the final examination.
5. Students who are unable to keep up with class work should consult
with the course lecturer or faculty dean or dean of students, and seek
advice.
Integrity and Zero Tolerance of Plagiarism
1. All students are expected to abide by the university’s policy on ethical
conduct.
2. Any student involved in cheating in tests, coursework or examinations
will be suspended pending investigations, and may be expelled from
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the University.
3. Any student involved in buying or selling tests or examinations will be
suspended from the University pending investigations.
4. Any student involved in using sexual favors in exchange for marks will
be suspended pending investigations, and may be expelled from the
University.
5. Plagiarism means presenting other people’s work from online or from
other sources as your own. Plagiarism is a serious offence and will not
be tolerated, and offenders will fail that particular course.
6. Students are required to read the University’s policy on examinations.
Make up of Missed Classes
1. There will be special make up classes for each class that is missed
because the lecturer could not come to class on a particular day
2. Students are required to treat make up classes as part of the regular
learning program
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