AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This class will help students to develop knowledge, understanding and a strong foundation in the cell biology basics.

Aim of this course is to provide students with a knowledge of the basic principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology as well as the ability to analyze biological problems regarding the same topics.

By attending class and then by studying on their own what discussed during lessons, students will acquire knowledge of: a) cell structure, functions and activities, particularly referring to the eukaryotic cell; b) cellular and molecular mechanisms that rule and control proliferation, replication, signal transduction and differentiation in eukaryotic cells; c) the mechanisms that overview and regulate gene expression and genetic transmission.

TEACHING METHODS

Students are required to attend class for at least 75% of the scheduled lessons.

Class will be managed as frontal lectures with Power Point notes. Basics in cell biology will be addressed during class by means of active discussion engaged by the Lecturer via examples and specific exercise.

Students can take advantage of online material (lectures power point notes) available on the AulaWeb website; Lecturer can be reached via email to arrange specific 1-to-1 meeting for further assistance/explanation as needed.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Biology:

Introduction to the "Cell theory".

Intra- and inter-cellular communication mechanisms. 

The cell cycle in the eukaryotic cell; proliferation and cellular control mechanisms (growth factors, receptors, oncogenes and oncosuppressors). 

Chemical and structural composition of the DNA molecule; molecular mechanisms of replication; breaking the genetic code: transcription and translation.   

General principles of cell differentiation and development; similarities and differences among viruses, prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Power point notes of class lectures are available for students to be downloaded from AulaWeb (https://sanitarie.aulaweb.unige.it/course/search.php?search=biologia). 

Files are strictly for personal use only; files must not be shared on social media, posted on any internet website or put on any sharing platform; files must not be printed out for sale or photocopied.

Other basic biology and genetics textbooks can be also used, providing they are intended for University Master Degree courses.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

EMILIA BELLONE

RENATA BOCCIARDI

SVEVA BOLLINI

WILLIAM BRUNO

SERENA CAPPATO

RENZO GIACINTO CORVO'

EMILIO DI MARIA

ROBERTO EGGENHOFFNER

PAOLO GIANNONI

FRANCESCO MASULLI

ALDAMARIA PULITI

GIANNI VIARDO VERCELLI

FRANCESCA LANTIERI (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

According to the formal communication provided by the competent office of each Faculty/School

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The integrated course “Physics, Biology, Genetics and Statistics” is structured into three fractions, namely Fraction A “Physics, Radioprotection and Statistics” + Fraction B “Biology, General Genetics and Human Genetics” + Fraction C “On-line Informatics”.

For Fraction B ““Biology, General Genetics and Human Genetics”: the exam consists of a written test (10 multiple-choice questions for each subject); the test is passed with a minimal score of 15 points over 30 (15/30).

N.B.: for each subject (i.e. Biology or General Genetics or Human Genetics) it is mandatory to obtain at least 5 points. Only one score of 4 is allowed per each Fraction. If a score is insufficient to pass a Fraction test, all subjects of the Fraction must be re-taken. It is also mandatory to obtain a score equal or more than 36/60 summing up the scores of the tests for Fractions A + Fraction B.

The overall final score for the integrated course “Physics, Biology, Genetics and Statistics” sums up scores for each Fraction (score for Fraction A + score for Fraction B + score for Fraction C). The final vote will be calculated as a weighted average of the results of the three Fractions, each of which must be singularly passed. Students from other Universities or Faculties that need to take partial exams on a reduced number of subjects are required to obtain a score of at least 5/10 for each of the assessed subjects. All Fractions are independent and they are not mutually mandatory, therefore the relative tests can be taken in any order.

Students are required to complete and pass the tests for all Fractions within September and only in this case the course Coordinator will register the final overall score. All scores are retained valid until the month of September of the corresponding academic year. If completion of all Fractions is not acquired within the last available exam session in September, all results will be canceled and students will have to re-take the exams for all Fractions over again.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Students are assessed by a final exam alone which aims to ensure that they have actually reached the required level of knowledge.

The evaluation of the students' newly acquired knowledge will be performed through a written exam aimed to assess the student's competence among the subjects defined in the learning outcomes. 

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Registration for the exams, relatively to Fraction A and B, is strictly limited to the on-line registration system. No students will be allowed to take the exam if not enrolled or if enrolled by any other means. If students experience troubles/inconveniences while enrolling they are strongly encouraged to contact the on-line student service IN ADVANCE to the enrolment deadline.

Topics covered during lessons are summarized by the power-point presentations available on the AulaWeb page. Additional material can be presented at the end of the front lesson and made available through AulaWeb (https://www.aulaweb.unige.it).

Lecturers are available for further explanation and clarification during one-to-one meeting as arranged c by phone or e-mail.