LV EN RU DE FR Course code Biol1011 Credit points 3 Biology Moodle URLs Biol1011-LV Biol1011-EN-PLK Biol1011-EN-NLN Total Contact Hours 48 Number of hours for lectures42 Number of hours for seminars and practical assignments6 Number of hours for laboratory assignments0 Independent study hours72 Date of course confirmation01.02.2017 Responsible UnitFaculty of Biology Course developers Kaspars Tārs Zane Kalniņa Eižens Slava Course abstract The aim of the course is to give the general concept of the eukaryotic cell and molecular biology, basic principles of genetics, eye development, as well as general understanding of human tissue structures. Within the first part of the course, students will be introduced with the basic elements of life, cell structure, physiological processes within the cell and mechanisms of genetic information realisation. Within the course, the molecular basis of the eye development will be discussed. A detailed overview on different tissue structures in human body and their representation in the eye as an organ will be given, eye as an immunopriviledged organ will be described. During the course, attention will be drawn to cell ultrastructure and ocular tissue characterisation via microphotograph analysis. Learning outcomes By successfully passing the course, students will acquire knowledge of: 1. Basic principles of Molecular Biology 2. Basic principles of Genetics 3. Cellular structure 4. Structure of various tisuues 5. Cellular differentiation, stem cells 6. Molecular structure of eye 7. Basic principles of immunology 8. Various microscopy techniques, analysis of micrographs After the successful completion of the course, students will acquire skills to recognize the morphology of the eye tissue forming cell types and the intra-cellular structures by analyzing figures acquired by different microscopy techniques (light and fluorescent microscopy, electron microscopy). Course plan 1. Introductory lecture. Water molecule, monomers. L3 2. Macromolecules L3 3. Replication, Transcription, Translation. L3 4. Basic principles of genetics. L3 5. Cell structure, cell cycle. L3 6. Intracellular and intercellular communication systems L3 7. Microscopy techniques, micrograph analysis S3 8. Stem cells, cell differentiation, senescence and death L3 9. Molecular basis of the eye development, sensory information transfer L3 10.Tissue classification, Epithelial tissues, glands L3 11. Connective and supportive tissues L3 12. Blood, haematopoiesis L3 13. Blood cells and immunity L3 14. The eye as an immunoprivileged organ L3 15. Muscular tissue L3 16. Tissues under microscope S3 Requirements for awarding credit points Attendance of lectures is optional. Students have to pass 5 written intermediate tests - 70% of final evaluation, and final test (exam) - 30% of final evaluation. Intermediate tests - 10 questions with choices of answers Final test - 40 question with choices of answers Compulsory reading Campbell, Biology, 2013, 10th edition. Publisher: Benjamin Cummings. Further reading Alberts et al, Essential Cell biology, 3rd edition, Garland Science Ross and Pawlina, Histology, Text and Atlas, 6th edition, Wolters Kluwer Periodicals and other sources Eye. Nature Publishing group. http://www.nature.com/eye/index.html
