Biology (BIOL) 401
Cell Biology (Revision 4)
Revision 4 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
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Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Science
Prerequisite: BIOL 204, BIOL 205, and BIOL 206; or BIOL 204 and BIOL 207; or equivalent undergraduate courses taken at a recognized post-secondary institution.
Faculty: Faculty of Science & Technology
BIOL 401 has a Challenge for Credit option.
Overview
BIOL 401 focuses on essential principles and processes in cell biology and integrates these in the context of molecular biology. This senior-level course considers cell structure and function, bioenergetics, membranes, molecular genetics, and intercellular signalling.
Outline
Unit 1: Cells and Organelles
Unit 2: Membrane Structure, Function and Chemistry
Unit 3: Membrane Transport
Unit 4: Electrical Signals in Nerve Cells
Unit 5: Messengers and Receptors
Unit 6: Intracellular Compartments
Unit 7: Glycolysis and Fermentation
Unit 8: Aerobic Respiration
Unit 9: Photosynthesis
Unit 10: Cellular Information: DNA, Chromosomes and the Nucleus
Unit 11: The Cell Cycle, DNA Replication, Mitosis and Cancer
Unit 12: Sexual Reproduction, Meiosis and Genetic Variability
Unit 13: The Genetic Code and Transcription
Unit 14: Protein Synthesis and Sorting
Unit 15: The Regulation of Gene Expression
Unit 16: Cytoskeletal Structure and Function
Unit 17: Cellular Movement: Motility and Contractility
Evaluation
To receive credit for BIOL 401, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least “D” (50 percent), and grade of at least 50 percent on each of the course assignments, the mid-term, and the final examination. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Assignment 1 | Assignment 2 | Assignment 3 Essay | Midterm Exam | Final Exam | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | 10% | 20% | 30% | 30% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Becker, Wayne M., Kleinsmith, Lewis J., Hardin, J., and Bertoni, G. P. (2009). The World of the Cell (7th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
Scientific American. (2010). Current Issues in Cell, Molecular Biology & Genetics (vol. 2). San Francisco, CA: Benjamin Cummings.
Other Materials
The course material also includes a course guide.
Challenge for Credit Course Overview
The Challenge for Credit process allows students to demonstrate that they have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university level course.
Full information for the Challenge for Credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Policy
- Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Procedures
Challenge Evaluation
To receive credit for the BIOL 401 challenge registration, you must achieve an overall grade of at least “D” (50 percent) on the examination.
Paper Exam
Undergraduate Challenge for Credit Course Registration Form
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 4, July 13, 2010.
View previous syllabus