Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2016 - MBB 420 D100

Selected Topics in Contemporary Biochemistry (3)

Great Ideas & Leaps in MBB

Class Number: 1629

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 9 – Jun 20, 2016: Tue, Thu, 1:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Will be announced before the start of the term and will depend upon the nature of the topic offered.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The topics in this course will vary from term to term, depending on faculty availability and student interest.

COURSE DETAILS:

Special Topic:  Great Ideas and Leaps in MBB

A lecture, seminar, and discussion-based course, that will focus on great experiments and great conceptual leaps in a number of areas of molecular biology and biochemistry.  The focus will be on understanding how great scientific breakthroughs are made, and on the lasting impact of such advances.

The course will include assigned readings, videos, presentations in class of original scientific papers, and discussion of the issues raised by all of the above.

The course will focus on the following subjects: 
(1) The genetic code
(2) The cell cycle
(3) The mystery of antibody diversity
(4) Prions
(5) The Meselson-Stahl Experiment

Grading

  • Quizzes 35%
  • Presentation 20%
  • Term Paper 25%
  • Participation in class discussions 20%

NOTES:

Grades will be given from consideration of students' responses to quizzes, the quality of their class presentations on original papers, on participation in class discussions, and on the quality of one or more assigned term papers.

REQUIREMENTS:

Pre-requisite:  MBB331
CGPA of 3.0 or permission of the instructor.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

  • Students are advised to review the plagiarism tutorial found at
    http://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/tutorials/plagiarism-tutorial
  • For help with writing, learning and study strategies please contact the Student Learning Commons at
    http://learningcommons.sfu.ca/
  • Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability, must contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities (778-782-3112 or e-mail:  csdo@sfu.ca)

Registrar Notes:

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site contains information on what is meant by academic dishonesty and where you can find resources to help with your studies.  There is also a section on tutoring.  

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS