Molecular Cell Biology MCB

Bachelor of Science (BS) in Molecular Cell Biology (MCB)

A Bachelor of Science Degree administered by the
Department of Microbiology

photo: M.N. Rusan, Olympus BioScopes Competion, Honorable Mention 2005

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Program Objectives

Program Objectives

The primary objective of the BS degree program in Molecular Cell Biology is to prepare students for careers in fields that require advanced knowledge of molecular biology, in particular those that relate to human health and welfare. Examples of such fields include, but are not limited to, medicine, pharmacology, pathology, genetic testing and counseling, biotechnology, nanotechnology, teaching, and basic research. The proposed program will focus on the molecular biology of eukaryotic organisms, which sets it apart from the current program in Microbiology, which focuses on prokaryotic organisms. It will emphasize our understanding of the molecular biology of human health, disease and treatment, differentiating it from the existing Biology program. The second objective and natural consequence of a program in Molecular Cell Biology is human resource support for the medical school, UH graduate programs, and biotechnology businesses that provide services and economic opportunities to communities throughout the state of Hawaii.

Student Learning Objectives

The seven learning ojectives for the MCB program can be grouped into three broad categories: cognitive, skills-based and values-based.

i. Cognitive outcomes.

SLO 1 - Graduates of the MCB program will be able to explain and discuss how processes are integrated at the molecular level to create a functional eukryotic cell:

- Heredity

- Transcription

- Translation

- Post-translational regulation.

- Messenger RNA turnover and silencing

- Transport in, out, and within cells

- Biogenesis of organelles

- Mutation and DNA repair

- Catalysis

- Cell division

- Cell cycle control

- Generation, storage, and use of energy

- Motility

- Cell – cell signaling

- Cellular differentiation

- Integration of cells into tissues

- Immune system components and functions

- Molecular basis of cancer

SLO 2 - Graduates of the MCB program will be able to describe the structures and various cellular functions associated with the macromolecules found in cells:

- DNA

- RNA

- Protein

- Nucleotides

- Amino Acids

- Lipids

- Fatty acids

- Carbohydrates

- Chromosomes

SLO 3 - Graduates of the MCB program will be able to explain the techniques and logic of methods employed in molecular biology research:

- Purification and analysis of DNA

- Purification and analysis of RNA

- Purification and analysis of proteins

- Purification of cells and organelles

- Growth of microorganisms

- Tissue culture

- DNA synthesis, cloning, and sequencing

- Bionformatics

- Gene expression analysis

- Genetic selections

- Gene replacement

- Mutagenesis

- Fluorescence microscopy

- Protein sequencing

- Proteomics

- Metabolomics

- X-ray crystallography

- Flow cytometry

SLO 4 - Graduates of the MCB program will be able to explain the molecular basis of human diseases and research on prospective treatments:

- Huntington’s disease

- Alzheimer’s disease

- Muscular dystrophy

- Several forms of cancer

- Cystic fibrosis

- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

ii. Skills outcomes.

SLO 5 - Graduates of the MCB program will have experience in and be able to perform techniques employed in molecular biology research:

- Purification and analysis of DNA

- Purification and analysis of RNA

- Purification and analysis of proteins

- Purification of cells and organelles

- Growth of microorganisms

- Tissue culture

- DNA synthesis, cloning, and sequencing

- Bionformatics

- Gene expression analysis

- Genetic selections

- Gene replacement

- Mutagenesis

- Fluorescence microscopy

SLO 6 - Graduates of the MCB program will be able to critically evaluate scientific studies:

- Understand and critically analyze primary literature in the field

- Employ the logic of experimental design to design simple experiments

- Solve quantitative problems in molecular biology

- Communicate the logic and findings of scientific research in both written and oral formats

iii. Values outcomes.

SLO 7 - Graduates of the MCB program will be able to evaluate the ethical implications of research methods and outcomes:

- employing different philosophical theories (utilitarian, deontological, casuistic) to case studies

- identifying groups that may be impacted by experimental protocols or research outcomes

- evaluating the responsibilities of different groups (individuals, the scientific community, corporations, governments, etc.) in the conduct and regulation of scientific research