Level-3

Programme Information Document 2009 - 2010

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Genetics/Biomolecular Sciences

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Table of contents
I. Summary of essential information ........................................................................................................ 3 Section B: Level-3 Regulations, Policy & Advice........................................................................................... 3 Assessed Coursework Hand-ins ................................................................................................................. 3 Class Tests.............................................................................................................................................. 3 End-of-Course Examinations ..................................................................................................................... 3 Progress to Level-4 Honours Programme .................................................................................................... 3 Library Visits........................................................................................................................................... 3 Laboratory Course ................................................................................................................................... 3 Student-Directed Learning (SDL)............................................................................................................... 3 Data Analysis Sessions............................................................................................................................. 3 Reading Party.......................................................................................................................................... 3 Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology Seminars ..................................................................................... 3 Programme Coordinator & Deputy for Level-3 ............................................................................................. 3 Programme Coordinator for Level-4 ........................................................................................................... 3 Undergraduate School Office..................................................................................................................... 3 II. Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 4 Why Genetics? ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Diary ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 III. Aims and Intended Learning Outcomes ................................................................................................. 4 Aims of the Level-3 Honours Programme.................................................................................................... 4 Intended Learning Outcomes of the Level-3 Honours Programme.................................................................. 4 Aims of the Level-3 Designated Degree Programme..................................................................................... 5 Intended Learning Outcomes of the Level-3 Designated Degree Programme................................................... 5 IV. Outline of the Programme content ........................................................................................................ 5 Programme Structure............................................................................................................................... 5 Teaching Methods .................................................................................................................................... 6 Lectures ................................................................................................................................................. 6 Laboratories............................................................................................................................................ 6 Student-Directed Learning ........................................................................................................................ 7 Data Analysis Sessions............................................................................................................................. 7 Reading Party.......................................................................................................................................... 7 Seminars ................................................................................................................................................ 7 V. Items of summative assessment .......................................................................................................... 7 Coursework Assessments ......................................................................................................................... 7 Class tests .............................................................................................................................................. 7 End-of-Course Examinations ..................................................................................................................... 7 Relative Weighting of Assessment.............................................................................................................. 8 Pontecorvo Awards .................................................................................................................................. 8 External Examiners.................................................................................................................................. 8 VI. Details of coursework to be handed in................................................................................................... 9 Essays.................................................................................................................................................... 9 Laboratory Reports .................................................................................................................................. 9 Oral Presentations (Talks)....................................................................................................................... 10 Other Assessed Coursework.................................................................................................................... 10 VII. Textbooks ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Online textbooks ................................................................................................................................... 10 Useful books to consult .......................................................................................................................... 10 Additional Genetics Texts........................................................................................................................ 11 Genetics revision ................................................................................................................................... 11 Books for background reading................................................................................................................. 11 Periodicals and Reviews.......................................................................................................................... 11 VIII. Lecture block synopses ................................................................................................................. 12 Unit A: Molecular Genetic Methods........................................................................................................... 12 Unit B: Genomics .................................................................................................................................. 12 Unit C: Proteins ..................................................................................................................................... 13 Unit D: Membranes and Filaments ........................................................................................................... 13 Unit E: DNA Structure and Function ......................................................................................................... 15 Unit H: Gene Expression......................................................................................................................... 15 Unit I: Mobile DNA................................................................................................................................. 15 Unit L: Evolutionary Genetics .................................................................................................................. 16 Unit N: Biotechnology ............................................................................................................................ 16 Unit O: Essential Cell Biology .................................................................................................................. 16 Unit P: Experimental Strategies............................................................................................................... 16 IX. Laboratories..................................................................................................................................... 17 Molecular Genetic Methods ..................................................................................................................... 17 Molecular Graphics and Protein 3-Dimensional Structure ............................................................................ 17 C. elegans: Model Organism ................................................................................................................... 17 Plasmids and Transposons ...................................................................................................................... 17 Plant Molecular Biology .......................................................................................................................... 17 Animal Cell Culture ................................................................................................................................ 17 X. Student-directed learning .................................................................................................................. 18 XI. Other useful programme information .................................................................................................. 18 Teaching Staff ....................................................................................................................................... 18 Class and Divisional Libraries .................................................................................................................. 18

Computers.............................................................................................................................................19 Student (Common) Rooms ......................................................................................................................19 Lockers .................................................................................................................................................19 Photocopiers ..........................................................................................................................................19 E-mail ...................................................................................................................................................19 Moodle ..................................................................................................................................................19 The Molecular & Cellular Biology / Genetics Society ....................................................................................19 Careers Information................................................................................................................................20 Vacation Employment .............................................................................................................................21 XII. Level-4.............................................................................................................................................21 Choice of Project ....................................................................................................................................22 Dissertation ...........................................................................................................................................22 Level-4 Honours Options .........................................................................................................................22 XIII. Assessment Regulations .................................................................................................................24 Minimum Requirements for the Award of Credits and Incomplete Assessment................................................24 Absence ................................................................................................................................................24 Absence from End-of-Course Examinations................................................................................................24 Illness or Adverse Circumstances affecting performance during End-of-Course Examinations...........................24 Absence from Class Tests ........................................................................................................................25 Illness or Adverse Circumstances affecting hand-in of Assessed Coursework .................................................25 Late Submission of Coursework................................................................................................................25 Cheating................................................................................................................................................25 XIV. Assessment procedure .......................................................................................................................25 How you will be Assessed: Code of Assessment .........................................................................................25 End-of-Course Examination Procedures .....................................................................................................26 Assessment Scheme for Students on a Designated Degree Course ...............................................................26 Transfer from Honours to Designated Degree Programme ...........................................................................26 End-of-Course Examination Timetable.......................................................................................................26 Resit Examinations .................................................................................................................................27 Student Portfolios ...................................................................................................................................27 Appealing Against the Published Result for a Course ...................................................................................27 Students with Disabilities.........................................................................................................................27 XV. Progression to level 4.........................................................................................................................27 Students in Level 3 Honours Programmes..................................................................................................28 Transfer from a Level 3 Designated Degree Programme to a Level 4 Honours Programme...............................28 XVI. Communication between staff and students .........................................................................................28 E-mailing Staff .......................................................................................................................................28 Notices to Students ................................................................................................................................28 Staff-Student Liaison Committees and Representation of the Student Voice ...................................................28 Written Complaints .................................................................................................................................29 XVII. Faculty Of Biomedical & Life Sciences Policy Statements.....................................................................29 XVIII. Session Dates ...............................................................................................................................29

SECTION A: Programme-Specific Information

I. SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Section B: Level-3 Regulations, Policy & Advice
You should read Section B: Level-3 Regulations, Policy & Advice for important information about progress, assessment, absence etc. The Level-3 session calendar at the end of this document specifies the teaching, revision and examination weeks.

Assessed Coursework Hand-ins

Assessed coursework should be handed in to the Undergraduate School Office (see below) unless otherwise instructed. For further details, see Details of coursework to be handed in.

Class Tests
One class test. Dates and venues are listed in the timetable.

End-of-Course Examinations
Two 3-hour papers in May (dates published by the Registry in March).

Progress to Level-4 Honours Programme

See Section B: Level-3 Regulations, Policy & Advice for the minimum requirements for progress to Level-4 Honours.

Library Visits
There is an introductory seminar on literature searching as well as sessions on database searching. Visit the Enquiry Desk to collect your username and password for the various databases.

Laboratory Course
Most laboratories are held on Mondays and Tuesdays 10.00-17.00 and Wednesdays 10.00-13.00 (for much of the programme you will be in groups so will not be working in the lab at all these times).

Student-Directed Learning (SDL)

Usually one meeting per week, Thursday or Friday morning. Other sessions as arranged. See Timetable for details.

Data Analysis Sessions

Genetic Problems Tutorial Sessions.

Reading Party
22-23rd October 2009

Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology Seminars

Tuesdays and Fridays at 12.30. (to be confirmed)

Programme Coordinator & Deputy for Level-3

Dr Kevin ODell, Davidson Building, Ext 6218, email: K.ODell@bio.gla.ac.uk Dr Mark Bailey, Davidson Building, Ext 5994, M.Bailey@bio.gla.ac.uk

Programme Coordinator for Level-4

Professor SA Davies, Davidson Building, Ext.2317 , e-mail: S.A.Davies@bio.gla.ac.uk

Undergraduate School Office

All coursework should be handed in to the Undergraduate School Office, which is located in Room 220 of the Bower Building. Your submitted coursework must comply with the instructions you will be given at the start of the year. Opening hours for enquiries are: Monday to Friday: 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Opening hours for hand-ins are: Monday to Thursday: 10am to 12noon and 2pm to 4pm Friday: 10am to 12noon only

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II.

INTRODUCTION

The staff would like to welcome you to the Level-3 programme. Courses at this level should be rewarding and enjoyable, but they require a strong sense of commitment from you and your active participation and attendance for all aspects of the course.

It is very important to realise that you must complete at least 75% of the assessment and attend all components of a course regularly in order to be awarded a final result (see Minimum Requirements for the Award of Credits).
We strongly urge you to take the time to read through this booklet; it contains most of the information that you will need during the year. Please keep this Programme Information Document for future reference; you may need to provide course details for further study or other training. If you require the information after graduation, the Undergraduate School will make a charge for providing it. While the information contained in the document is correct at the time of printing we reserve the right to make changes. Check Moodle, the notice board and your email messages regularly. The current version of this booklet is available on the Web via the Undergraduate School home page.

Why Genetics?
The function of the genes is central to life. Living organisms are distinguished from other complex phenomena by the fact that their organisation and development depends on information passed down from a previous generation. Genes encode the majority of that information. Classical genetics uses variation in the inherited genes, either natural or induced by mutation in the laboratory, to investigate the nature of that information and the processes it controls. The methods of Molecular Genetics have extended our ability to probe gene function beyond all previous dreams, and can be applied to problems ranging from medicine to population evolution. In consequence, Genetics graduates remain in demand and find it easy to move into other disciplines. Prospects can be expected to improve further as the result of genome sequencing projects, programmes in agricultural and medical genetics and forensics, genetic applications to environmental problems, and molecular genetic approaches to brain structure and function.

Diary
We suggest you write into your diary all events that do not fit the standard weekly pattern, as indicated in the timetable, especially changes of lecture theatre. Further detailed timetables of laboratories and small group learning sessions will be issued from time to time: keep a careful note of these.

III.

AIMS AND INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims of the Level-3 Honours Programme

The Level-3 Honours programme aims to foster: an appreciation of the continuity of classical and molecular genetics: the classical foundations of molecular genetics and the application of both to understanding of populations and evolution an appreciation of the broad application of genetics within modern biology, biotechnology and medicine an understanding that research involves serious thought and reliable experimentation, and that scientific knowledge can be hard won a sense of the excitement of a rapidly advancing field of study successful completion of an important step on the road to a rewarding career.

Intended Learning Outcomes of the Level-3 Honours Programme

After completing this Level-3 Honours programme, you should be able to: recall facts and theories needed for a deep understanding of Genetics carry out and understand a wide variety of experiments in molecular genetics analyse experimental results, with a critical mind, using numerical and computer skills where appropriate obtain information efficiently from literature, computer searches, and other sources;

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communicate effectively and lucidly experimental, interpretative and ethical aspects of science, using oral presentations, written work and information technology.

Aims of the Level-3 Designated Degree Programme

The Level-3 Designated Degree programme aims to foster: an appreciation of the continuity of classical and molecular genetics: the classical foundations of molecular genetics and the application of both to understanding of populations and evolution an appreciation of the broad application of genetics within modern biology, biotechnology and medicine an understanding that research involves serious thought and reliable experimentation, and that scientific knowledge can be hard won a sense of the excitement of a rapidly-advancing field of study successful completion of an important step on the road to a rewarding career.

Intended Learning Outcomes of the Level-3 Designated Degree Programme

After completing this Level-3 Designated Degree programme, you should be able to: recall basic facts and theories needed for an understanding of Genetics carry out and understand a wide variety of experiments in molecular genetics analyse experimental results at a basic level using numerical and computer skills where appropriate obtain information efficiently from literature, computer searches, and other sources; communicate experimental, interpretative and ethical aspects of science, using oral presentations, written work and information technology.

IV.

OUTLINE OF THE PROGRAMME CONTENT

The programme is taught in conjunction with the Biotechnology and Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB) programmes. Most of the lectures, laboratories and SDL session are joint and some of the lectures are also shared with other programmes. Lectures, laboratory classes, SDL sessions, data analysis sessions, the reading party and class tests are essential components of the programme. You must attend them all, and hand in all written work on time. You are reminded that these programmes are full time and that essential commitments may be timetabled during the year which are not included in this document. Whilst we are fully supportive of students need to undertake paid work, our experience is that students exceeding a maximum of 10 hours/week are likely to get poor results from the programme. The Level-3 Honours programme consists of two component Honours courses: Genetics 3A and Genetics 3B. The Level-3 Designated Degree programme consists of two component Designated Degree courses: Biomolecular Sciences 3A: Genetics and Biomolecular Sciences 3B: Genetics. The 3A courses are taught in Semester 1 while the 3B courses are taught in Semester 2.

Programme Structure
The programme consists of a series of lectures arranged in 11 units of varying length. Some are accompanied by laboratory classes, some by Student-Directed Learning sessions. In many cases, lectures blocks are intermixed in the timetable in order to fit in with other programmes.

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Teaching Methods
Teaching Method Lectures Laboratories Student-directed learning (SDL) Data analysis sessions Reading party Student presentations Number of hours (approx) 150 220 30 10 (2 days) 10

Lectures
Block name Semester 1: Genetics 3A and Biomolecular Sciences 3A: Genetics Block Block Block Block Block A Molecular Genetic Methods B Genomics C Proteins D Membranes & Filaments E DNA Structure & Function

Semester 2: Genetics 3B and Biomolecular Sciences 3B: Genetics

Block Block Block Block Block Block

H Gene Expression I Mobile DNA L- Evolutionary Genetics N Biotechnology O Essential Cell Biology P Experimental Strategies

We expect you to attend all lectures. Only by attending the lecture course can you learn the current viewpoints and the emphasis given to a specific topic. Lectures are also intended to act as a guide through the enormous quantity of published scientific literature in that area. They should provide you with the central facts of the subject. All these factors mean that your lecture notes are a particularly important source of information for answering examination questions. Remember it can be difficult enough to interpret your own lecture notes, so it is generally very unwise to rely on notes copied from a classmate. Keep them safe! The date, time, location and lecture topics are to be found in the Timetable. Please check this carefully since times and venues vary. More detailed timetables for laboratories etc. will be issued from time to time. All lecturers hope you will find their material exciting and understandable. Try to do related reading, and self-test questions when supplied, close to the time. If you have questions or problems about individual lectures, arrange to meet the lecturer responsible as soon as you can. Many queries can be dealt with by e-mail. Level-3 needs a different, more long-term approach to study than Level-2. For help with study skills, see: www.gla.ac.uk/services/sls/effectivelinks.index.html Many staff will place lecture summaries on Moodle. These are support material and do not replace the lectures.

Laboratories
The laboratories are designed to reinforce the knowledge gained from lectures and to develop the practical skills required for Genetics. These skills will be vital during your final year research project. You are required to be present for the whole of each laboratory. Time slot Semester 1: Genetics 3A and Biomolecular Sciences 3A: Genetics Semester 2: Genetics 3B and Biomolecular Sciences 3B: Genetics Laboratory block Molecular Genetic Methods Molecular graphics and protein 3-dimensional structure C. elegans labs: Model Organism Plasmids and Transposons Plant Molecular Biology Cell Culture

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Student-Directed Learning
You will be assigned to small groups (with a mix of Genetics / M&CB / Biotechnology/ Plant Science students). These sessions involve discussions on specific themes where you are expected to research your own material and give feedback to the group.

Data Analysis Sessions

These Genetics Problem sessions will provide an introduction to the handling of genetic data, which will play an important role in the Level-4 programme.

Reading Party
There will be a joint reading party with the MCB, Biotechnology and Plant Science students comprising group discussions, presentations by small teams on various topics and a debate. This is a not too serious occasion, enjoyed by all, and an opportunity to meet students and staff in an informal setting.

Seminars
Throughout the year, there will be many research and review seminars, some directly relevant to the programme. Those organised for the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology are likely to be of particular interest. You will find that information from these can be very valuable in broadening your horizons, especially in preparation for Level-4. You are strongly urged to attend selected seminars. We will send you occasional reminders by e-mail.

V.

ITEMS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

You will be awarded a separate grade for each of the two component courses which make up the Level-3 programme. Your result for each course is based on the items of assessment detailed below. Note that the grades you obtain for Level-3 will be used for writing references, for example for PhD places and also as a guide to your ability if special circumstances affect your Level-4 result. It will also be one of the factors considered when allocating final-year projects and Honours options.

Coursework Assessments
The assessed coursework comprises written laboratory reports, tests, essays, a problem exercise and oral presentations (talks).

Class tests
There will be one class test. It will cover the work of Semester 1 and requires 4 essays from a choice of 10. Your essays will be returned to you with feedback. The class test will allow you to monitor your own progress and to familiarise yourself with the examination format. Marks from the Class Test will count 5% towards the continual assessment of Genetics 3A. but is also important for feedback.

End-of-Course Examinations
Written Papers
The Level-3 programme has two 3-hour examination papers in May.

Hints on Examination Technique

Try not to lose marks as a result of easily avoided mistakes of strategy.

Read the questions

Read the question and answer it! More marks are lost through failure to answer the precise question set than any other single cause.

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Plan your answers

For essay-style questions, it is vital to devote some time to planning your answer. It is a good idea to list the major points to be covered in note form on the first page.

Diagrams
Diagrams can save a lot of words. Many answers will be marked as incomplete without them. The axes of graphs must always be labelled with the parameters they represent, and often also with units. Remember this when revising.

Use grammatical sentences

As well as demonstrating what you understand, examinations test how well you can convey this to a reader, so use properly constructed sentences. Standard abbreviations such as IgG, DNA, B-cell etc. may be used but non-standard ones should be avoided. Never let your own note-forms slip into examination answers.

Always attempt the required number of questions

It is always much easier to gain the first 30% of the marks for a question than the last 30%, and examinations generally have no mechanism for allowing a brilliant answer to one question to spill over and compensate the zero for one not attempted. In an emergency of mis-judged timing, the best strategy (but only in emergency) may be to switch into note form.

Subdivided questions
Questions are often in two or more parts. Make sure you answer all of them, giving them equal weight unless the question indicates otherwise. The use of subheadings in your answer to any question is a sign of good planning.

Practice writing answers

Choose questions from previous papers, and feel free to ask members of staff to read and mark them for you.

Relative Weighting of Assessment

The relative weightings of the items of assessment for each course are: Genetics 3A Biomolecular Sciences 3A: Genetics End-of-course examination Class test Laboratory reports/test Essays Presentations Problem Exercise Total 70 5 15 5 0 5 100% Genetics 3B Biomolecular Sciences 3B: Genetics 70 0 10 10 10 0 100%

Pontecorvo Awards
Interest from a fund named after the founder and first professor of the University of Glasgows Department of Genetics, Professor Guido Pontecorvo, provides prizes for meritorious performance in Genetics Level-3 and Level-4 examinations.

External Examiners
Prof David McConnell, Trinity College, Dublin.

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VI.

DETAILS OF COURSEWORK TO BE HANDED IN

Ensure that all work is clearly labelled on the top page with L3 Genetics and the assignment title as below, as well as your matriculation number. Note that deadlines may be varied and any changes will be notified to the whole class in good time. Items counting towards assessed coursework mark Date / Deadline for hand-in Semester 1 Tryptophan Synthetase problem exercise Molecular Genetic Methods lab test Molecular Graphics lab report Class test Model Organisms essay C. elegans lab report Friday of Week 4 Wednesday of Week 5 Friday of Week 7 Monday of Week 12 Friday of Week 12 Friday of Week 13 Semester 2 Genetics Talk Plasmid Workshop essay Plasmids & Transposons lab report Plant Molecular Biology lab report Evolution essay Evolution talk Thursday and Friday of Week 2 Friday of Week 5 Friday of Week 7 Friday of Week 9 Friday of Week 10 Week 10 & 11 5 5 5 5 5 5 KOD et al. WMS WMS JJM KOD et al. KOD et al. 5 5 5 5 5 5 RMC JATD EJMW various KOD et al. ILJ Weighting (out of 30) Staff

Note that coursework marks will be one of the factors considered when allocating Level-4 projects towards the end of Level-3.

Essays
Model Organisms: Essay on the use of model organisms to address specific biological problems. Details to be announced. Plasmid Workshop Essay: About 500 words on a subject that will be relevant to several posters from the Plasmid Posters prepared by groups of students as part of the Plasmids and Transposons Lab. Titles will be given during the labs. Evolution Essay: Essay based on material associated with the Evolutionary Genetics unit. Details to be announced.

Laboratory Reports
Writing Laboratory Reports
C. elegans, Plasmids & Transposons and Plant Molecular Biology Lab Reports: Full instructions will be issued at the laboratory sessions. In general, reports should be accurate, informative and concise. Although you will discuss the experiments and data with other students, the report itself must be all your own work. Details of methods given in the manuals should not be reiterated in your report unless you deviated from these. Graphs should be fully annotated (title, axes labels & units). It doesnt matter if your data are poorbut you should suggest reasons for this, and perhaps suggestions of what you would do to improve the data. You should fully interpret and discuss your own data and, if indicated by the lab leader (or if your data is very poor / uninterpretable), the class data. Marks will mainly be awarded for the report itself, but bonus marks will be awarded for strong contributions during the laboratory sessions. Failure to contribute during laboratory sessions, or poor attendance may count against you (though practical disasters / poor results will not). Molecular Graphics Lab Report: Completion of the workbook used during the laboratory sessions.

Laboratory Notebook
All lab supervisors will expect you to keep a working record as experiments progress, which will form part of your portfolio. This is good practice for note-taking in future lab-work, such as your L4 project. It will contain notes about changes of experimental details, observations made on-the-spot, and raw data. For any experiments not written up more formally, it should also contain processed data and conclusions. It will look worn and quite likely be marked by spills! Do not use it for handing in reports for marking, as they may not be returned before the next laboratory.

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Oral Presentations (Talks)

Oral presentations will form part of the Plant Molecular Biology labs and you will also give presentations as part of the Genetics Class and Evolutionary Genetics sessions. Marks for the Transposon and Evolutionary Genetics talks will contribute to your coursework assessment.

Other Assessed Coursework

Tryptophan Synthetase Problem: The mark will be for an individual assignment on the mapping and characteristics of mutations. Molecular Genetic Methods Lab Test: A short answer test.

VII.

TEXTBOOKS

The following books are suitable for purchase. We do not expect you to be able to afford all of them, so it is advisable to see if you can obtain any of them second hand. Since it is always advisable to compare the views of different texts on any topic, you should if possible, arrange with friends that you have a variety of books to consult between you. Copies of most of them are also available in the Molecular and Cellular Biology class library, Joseph Black Building; in Anderson College Library and/or the Genetics students room, Robertson Building , Room 110. (i) Griffiths et al. An Introduction to Genetic Analysis 8th ed. Freeman 2005* or Russell iGenetics Benjamin Cummins 2002 (or anything else by Russell) or Hartwell et al. Genetics; from genes to genomes McGraw Hill 2000 or one of the many other excellent Genetics textbooks currently available Alberts et al. The Molecular Biology of the Cell 4th ed. Garland Publishing Co. 2002* or Lodish Baltimore, Berk et al. Molecular Cell Biology 5th ed. Freeman 2004* Lewin Genes VIII Pearson 2004 or Brown TA Genomes 2 BIOS Scientific 2002 or Hartl DL & Jones EW Genetics: Analysis of Genes & Genomes 5th ed. Jones & Bartlett 2001 (also the less comprehensive but cheaper Hartl DL & Jones EW Essential Genetics: a Genomics Perspective 3rd ed. Jones & Bartlett 2002) Berg JM, Tymoczko JL & Stryer L Biochemistry 6th ed. Freeman 2006* or Darby & Creighton Protein structure (1993) IRL Press, In Focus Series or Brandon & Tooze Introduction to Protein Structure 2nd ed. Garland 1999 Cann AJ Principles of Molecular Virology 3rd ed. 2001

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v)

For the Molecular Genetic Methods Lab and associated lectures: Nicholl An Introduction to Genetic Engineering 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press 2002 Also useful, although not essential: Bucanan, Gruissem and Jones Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Plants Publ John Wiley ISBN 0-943088-39-9 Brown TA Genetics, a molecular approach 3rd ed. Chapman & Hall 1997 *available online, see below.

Online textbooks
A collection of textbooks is freely available on-line at NCBIs Bookshelf. NCBI is the National Center for Biotechnology Information; these include the books asterisked above. The site also provides a valuable search tool. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=books Griffiths et al. Modern Genetic Analysis also has an associated website: http://bcs.whfreeman.com/mga2e as does Berg et al. Stryer: http://www.whfreeman.com/stryerbiochem5

Useful books to consult

Pechenik & Lamb How to write about Biology Longman 1994 Race P How to win as a final year student Open University Press

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Additional Genetics Texts

You are not required to purchase these, but the following are of interest: Ridley M Evolution Blackwell 1993 Pasternak JJ An introduction to human molecular genetics Fitzgerald Press 1999 Strachan, T & Read, AP Human Molecular Genetics 2nd ed. Oxford, BIOS Scientific 1999 Connor & Ferguson-Smith Essentials of Medical Genetics 5th ed. Blackwell Scientific Majorus, Amos & Hurst Evolution, the four billion year war Longman 1996 Li & Graur Fundamentals of Molecular Evolution Sinauer 1990 Li Molecular Evolution Sinauer, 1997 Maynard-Smith Evolutionary Genetics Oxford 1989 Hartl A Primer of Population Genetics Sinauer 1988 Avise Molecular Markers, Natural History & Evolution

Genetics revision
If you feel that you need to revise your basic Genetics, two good short books are: Fincham 1994 Genetic Analysis Blackwell Scientific. Radford, Cove & Baumberg 1995 A Primer of Genetics, Longman

Books for background reading

These books are written in a more popular style, suitable for vacation reading etc. Ridley M

Genome: the autobiography of a species in 23 chapters

Taylor L The Laurie Taylor Guide to Higher Education Times Higher Education Supplement Ptashne Genetic Switch Watson The Double Helix Weidenfield & Nicolson Watson & Tooze The DNA Story Freeman Berry Inheritance and Natural History Collins Darwin On the Origin of Species Penguin 1859 Dawkins The Selfish Gene O.U.P. Dawkins The Extended Phenotype O.U.P. Steve Jones The Language of the Genes Flamingo paperbacks 1993 Stephen Jay Gouldmany readable books including Wonderful Life Neel JB Physician to the Gene Pool 1994 (Hiroshima and other topics) Rose, Lewontin & Kamin Not in our Genes Kitcher The Lives to come Penguin (Impact of genomics on society) Margulis Symbiosis in Cell Evolution Schrodinger What is Life? Cambridge 1945 Mendel Experiments in Plant Hybridization (intro. RA Fisher) Harvard Brink (ed.) Heritage from Mendel University of Wisconsin 1967 Peters (ed.) Classic Papers in Genetics Prentice Hall 1959 Federoff & Botstein The dynamic genome Cold Spring Harbor Press 1993 (Festschrift for Barbara McClintock, the discoverer of transposable elements)

Periodicals and Reviews

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN contains many useful review articles which are of a high standard of content and presentation.

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NEW SCIENTIST also contains good articles on matters of popular scientific interest plus a variety of scientific news. NATURE is a general science journal in which many of the most important scientific discoveries are first announced. It also contains useful reviews and informative News and Views items. SCIENCE is more or less the American equivalent of Nature. TRENDS IN GENETICS: Short reviews on current Genetic topics. TIBS (Trends in Biochemical Sciences) is good for biochemical news. CURRENT BIOLOGY and CURRENT OPINION inGenetics and Development, Cell Biology, Immunology, Biotechnology are good for concise updates on a wide variety of topics. CELL contains both longer and mini-reviews on cell and molecular genetics. PNAS (PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE USA) contains detailed articles on significant discoveries. ANNUAL REVIEW OF GENETICS and ANNUAL REVIEW OF BIOCHEMISTRY are important reference books. Many of the above are available for consultation in the Genetics Information Centre, Anderson College.

VIII. LECTURE BLOCK SYNOPSES

Unit A: Molecular Genetic Methods
Dr R Thompson: Essential Molecular Methods
The principle of DNA cloning. Key enzymes used in DNA manipulation:restriction enzymes and ligase. An overview of types of cloning systems in common use including Plasmids, Cosmids, BACs and YACs. Genomic libraries, cDNA libraries, sub-cloning specific DNA fragments. Resolution of DNA by agarose gel electrophoresis; restriction mapping. PCR principle and practise. Thermo-tolerant enzymes. Cloning of PCR fragments. Identification of sequences by hybridisation. Southern Blots, colony hybridisation, northern blots. The identification of overlapping clones as used for genomic sequencing. The principle of di-deoxy based DNA sequencing. Historic gel-based methods of resolution and current diebased and machines.

Dr JJ Milner: Transgenics
Requirements for stable introduction of foreign genes into multicellular organisms. Regeneration, stem cells and tissue culture. Transgenic model organisms. Approaches for the introduction of foreign genes into Drosophila and C. elegans. Introduction of foreign genes into plants using Agrobacterium and direct DNA transfer. Introduction of foreign DNA into mammalian embryos. Expression over-expression and knockout/knockdown of host and foreign genes. Reporter gene constructs as a means of studying gene expression in multicellular organisms.

Dr K ODell: Classical Genetics

The classical genetic approach. Mutagenesis. Using mutants to investigate biological function. Tests for dominance and recessivity, and what this tells us about gene function. Loss of function and gain of function alleles. Maintaining populations of mutants, especially recessive lethal mutations. Complimentation. Gene mapping. Gene Rescue. An introduction to the Molecular Methods lab.

Unit B: Genomics
Dr MES Bailey, I Johnstone: Essential Genomics
The nature of the genome, the constituents and arrangement of material in a genome, genome vital statistics; typical eukaryotic gene structure; the basic principles of genome mapping, and history of the development of the techniques and strategies employed in genome mapping and genome projects, exemplified by the C. elegans and Human Genome Projects; how possession of complete genome sequences has implications for post-genome biology, including positional cloning and candidate gene mapping strategies for human disease genes, gene expression analysis and epigenetics, comparative genomics and the study of genetic diseases in model organisms.

Dr J Gray Yeast Genomics

The budding yeast genome was the first eukaryotic genome sequenced and is at the vanguard of understanding and exploiting whole-genome data. Here, the relevance of the yeast genome to other eukaryotic genomes will be outlined. The main features of, and strategies used to exploit, the yeast genome will be presented. The use of comparative genomics will be presented: comparing the yeast genome with genomes from closely related fungal species and with

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those from model animals and human. The use of yeast to understand many human inherited diseases will be discussed, focusing on two specific examples: Friedreich's Ataxia and Huntington's disease.

Dr JJ Milner Plant Genomics

Using Arabidopsis as a model plant. Introduction to AGI. An overview of the Arabidopsis Using web-based resources. Forward and reverse genetics. Map based cloning with examples. What does the annotated Arabidopsis genome tell us? How does the Arabidopsis genome compare to non-plant genomes (human, fly worm, yeast etc. ) differences and similarities? Sequencing the rice genome. Genetic synteny in the cereals. Use of rice as a model for all the cereals. Plant genome sequencing, whats next.

Dr K ODell: Fly Genomics

The fly as a molecular genetics research tool. P transposable elements structure and function. P-elements as molecular tools, fly transgenics and enhancer traps. The fly genome project. Gene and genome complexity. Fly microarrays.

Unit C: Proteins
Prof G Milligan
The proteome. How many proteins are produced by eukaryotic cells (probable number of genes and secondary modifications)? Purification of proteins; differences in scale and purity requirements depending on purpose. Sources, extraction, stability and assay of proteins.

Prof J Milner-White
Protein structure. The essential properties of the 20 different amino acids. Polypeptide conformation, torsion angles, Ramachandran plot. Secondary, tertiary, domain and quaternary structure of proteins. Hydrogen bonding and secondary structure. The four main structural classes of proteins, all-alpha, all-beta, alpha/beta and other (as in the SCOP database). Quaternary structures of proteins, how subunits relate to each other via symmetry axes. Forces involved in maintaining protein structure.

Dr B Smith
Methods for determining protein structure. Basis and applications of the principal techniques:- X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, NMR and circular dichroism.

Prof G Lindsay
The life cycle of a protein; protein folding in vitro and in vivo; protein folding intermediates and protein maturation; molecular chaperones and problems of in vivo protein folding/assembly; intracellular protein targeting and translocation competence; quality control and misfolding of proteins; factors controlling protein degradation/turnover; protein folding and disease.

Prof H Nimmo
Enzyme activity and its regulation. Energy profiles for reactions. Factors which can lead to rate enhancement in enzymes. Flexibility in enzymes. Examples of mechanisms to illustrate these principles. Enzyme regulation. Factors which influence activity in vitro and in vivo. Regulation of metabolic pathways by conformational changes and by covalent changes.

Unit D: Membranes and Filaments

Dr S Yarwood (4): Membranes
Lipid Components of Membranes - Major lipid classes; glycerophospholipids, phosphoglycerides and sphingomyelins; fatty acid nomenclature; glycolipids; cholesterol. Lipid Membrane Composition and Properties Cell membrane structure and function; experimental evidence for fluid mosaic model; lipids and membrane fluidity; regulation of lipid mobility: lipid asymmetry, flippases, curvature and tight junctions. Protein Components of Lipid Membranes Membrane proteins: integral, peripheral and membrane anchored; membrane/cytoskeleton interaction; lipid rafts; glycoproteins: glycolax, cell/cell interaction and self recognition. Membrane Lipids and Signal Transduction Phospholipase A2: leukotrienes, prostaglandins and thromboxanes; phospholipases C and D; PI3 kinases; sphingolipid signalling

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Dr N Bryant and Prof G Gould (2): Membrane trafficking

These lectures will focus on the approaches (biochemical and genetic) that have led to the identification of the molecular machinery regulating intracellular membrane fusion and show that the SNARE proteins involved are a multi-gene family, classified into v- and t- (or Q- and R-) SNAREs. The domain structure of a syntaxin molecule, recognising the open and closed states, and the basic structure of the SNARE complex will also be discussed as a prelude to outlining the steps in vesicle docking/fusion and the role of SNAREs in ternary complex formation. The SNAREpin hypothesis and the Rothman in vitro fusion experiments will be described as will key studies showing that SNAREs control the specificity of membrane fusion.

Prof G Gould (2): Muscle biochemistry

These lectures will focus on the relationship between the capacity of red and white muscle cells to generate energy from metabolism, and their mechanical function. In addition, they will highlight how the mechanical properties of muscle filaments depends upon the structure of the proteins from which the filaments are assembled. The structure and arrangement of muscle filaments and the mechanism by which they slide will be explained in detail (the Sliding Filament Theory). The organisation of actin and myosin and their modes of assembly into thin and thick filaments will be described as will the catalytic events in the mechanical cycle by which myosin ATPase provides the energy for contraction. The role of Ca2+ and the sarcoplamic reticulum in muscle contraction and the structures and functions of the Ca2+ responsive protein, tropinin and tropomyosin will also be covered as will differences in filament structure, assembly and regulation between striated and smooth muscle.

Prof L Machesky (2): Cell Dynamics: The microtubule and actin cytoskeletons
Both the microtubule and actin cytoskeletons work together to control fundamental aspects of cell behaviour, including cell migration, cell division and maintenance of specialized cell shape or polarity. We will discuss how microtubules behave biochemically, based on the properties of tubulin and microtubule associated proteins, as well as in cells, especially during cell division. We will also discuss how actin behaves as a dynamic filament that can drive cell motility and shape changes. Both actin and microtubule dynamics are in part regulated by signalling via small GTPase proteins and we will cover the Rho-family GTPases and their regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Crosstalk between the microtubule and actin systems is important and will be highlighted when appropriate to illustrate how these two filament systems cooperate within cells.

Prof R Insall (2): Cell Dynamics: How actin works

Actin is one of the most abundant proteins in nature, found universally in eukaryotes, and is essential for cell survival. In these lectures I discuss: - the range of biological functions that use actin, and how actin drives them; - the cellular structures that comprise actin, how they are constructed, and their roles in the cell; - the biochemistry of actin - how it polymerizes to form filaments, how the filaments are initiated, and how they are disassembled; - how polymerization of actin can be used to drive movement; - and finally, how these processes are controlled in living cells.

Prof G Lindsay (7): Mitochondrial and Chloroplast Membranes

This series of lectures will concentrate on the roles of mitochondrial inner and chloroplast thylakoid membranes in converting chemical or light energy into ATP. An overview will be provided initially of the scientific evidence and approaches (classical biochemical and in situ spectroscopic) that have led to our current knowledge of the sequence/ organisation of the mitochondrial and chloroplast electron transport chains. At this stage, the basic concepts of the chemiosmotic hypothesis will be described in detail illustrating how a proton motive force (proton gradient) is generated across these energy-transducing membranes and subsequently harnessed by specific H+-translocating ATP synthases to generate ATP. The central involvement of mitochondria in promoting a diverse range of cellular activities including heat generation, reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis will also be considered as will be the impairment of mitochondrial function as a trigger in the development of various human disease states.

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Unit E: DNA Structure and Function

Dr JJ Milner
Semiconservative replication of DNA, chromosomes and the cell. Methods to study replication. Origins and the initiation of replication in E. coli and eukaryotic cells. The replication fork and the components of the replication machinery. DNA damage and repair.

Unit H: Gene Expression

Prof G Jenkins: Prokaryotic gene expression
E.coli RNA polymerase subunit structure and characterisation of E.coli promoters; initiation, elongation and termination of transcription. Regulation of bacteriophage lambda gene expression: the regulatory cascades which operate following infection by lambda; gene regulation by antitermination; operator structure and how the choice is made between lysis and lysogeny; mechanisms of regulation of integration and excision; analysis of the molecular interactions at the operator.

Prof G Jenkins: Eukaryotic gene expression

Transcription initiation. RNA polymerases and interaction with promoters. Steps in initiation. Regulatory DNA sequences. Experimental approaches to analyse their function. Regulatory transcription factors. Different classes. Experimental approaches to identify which factors are involved in specific responses. Transcription in the chromatin context. Chromatin remodelling. Regulatory factors.

Dr S Graham: RNA processing

Linking transcription to RNA processing. RNA capping and polyadenylation,. Splicing: the process, the mechanisms and control of splicing. Alternative splicing and its role in development and disease. Therapeutic strategies. RNA export to the cytoplasm and localisation in the cytoplasm. RNA stability in the nucleus and cytoplasm and nonsense-mediated decay. siRNA, miRNA, cellular pathways for their production. SiRNAs and miRNAs in development and disease. New medicines.

Dr C Woolhead: Translation
An overview of the components of protein synthesis, the genetic code, tRNA and aminoacylation. Ribosome initiation; initiation factors, pre-initiation complex, ribosome structure, subunit assembly and the peptidyl-transferase centre. The Translation reaction; elongation factors, peptide bond formation, the ribosome exit tunnel, stop codons and release factors. Regulation of translation by the ribosome and the use of tmRNA. Ribosomes from different organisms and the use of antibiotics on bacterial ribosomes.

Prof G Jenkins: Gene Regulation & Development

The role of transcription factors in controlling development, using differentiation and spatial patterning in the Arabidopsis epidermis as an example. The lectures show how mutant characterisation provides information on gene function and how transcription factors (TFs) act together to control gene expression and development; also, that some TFs are specific to particular processes while others are involved in multiple processes, and that the spatial and temporal regulation of TF expression is of key importance. Key issues in transcriptional control illustrated by reference to the regulation of selected genes by endogenous and environmental stimuli (endogenous clock, metabolites, light, temperature). Regulation of TF expression by relevant stimuli controls downstream target genes; manipulation of TF expression modifies response. Illustration of the functional dissection of regulatory promoter elements. Use of genetic and molecular methods to identify TFs that interact with functionally defined promoter elements. Use of mutants to determine the function of photoreceptors, signalling components and TFs concerned with light-regulation of gene expression and development. Show importance of targeted proteolysis of TFs, nucleo-cytoplasmic translocation and chromatin remodelling.

Unit I: Mobile DNA

Prof WM Stark
After the lectures, you should understand: The types of recombination, The relationship of homologous recombination with genetic linkage. The basic molecular mechanisms of homologous recombination. Molecular details of meiotic and bacterial homologous recombination. The double-strand break repair model (DSBR), How DSBR can explain observed meiotic recombination products, The importance of homologous recombination in replication and repair 'Lecture descriptors'

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What is DNA Recombination? Types of recombination; homologous, site-specific, non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ), transposition etc.. Relationship of homologous recombination (HR) to sex and meiosis. Relationship of HR with genetic linkage/mapping. Crossing over and gene conversion. Tetrad analysis. What is heteroduplex? Mechanism of HR; the double-strand break repair (DSBR) model. Processes and enzymes involved in DSBR; strand invasion, Holliday junction formation, branch-migration and resolution. Central role of RecA/Rad51. Structures and mechanisms of RecA/Rad51 and RuvABC. Steps and enzymes involved in meiotic HR. Detailed description of DSBR model. DNA repair processes connected with HR. Why do all organisms have HR? Use of ascus-forming fungi to study the genetics of HR. HR in bacteria; mechanism of RecBCD.NHEJ; functions and mechanism.

Unit L: Evolutionary Genetics

Dr B Mable, Prof D Monckton, Dr K ODell
Genetic fitness; selection; heterosis; inbreeding and outbreeding depression, prepare you for real evolutionary stories, and help you prepare talks on species concepts, species origins, and inter-species hybridisation. Sexual selection (who mates with whom) is a potent source of genetic disequilibrium, and the topic of 'sex wars' shows that mates have subtle effects upon each other's physiological functions, and influence respective genetic fitnesses. You will see evidence of selection in the MHC super-locus, and explore plant incompatibility. You will consider aspects of polygenic traits, including type I (autoimmune) diabetes, and trace man out of Africa and around the globe.

Unit N: Biotechnology
Dr P Dominy: Plant Biotechnology
Genetic manipulation of fruit ripening: suppression of ploygalacturonase: modification of ethylene biosynthesis: manipulation of isoprenoid pathway. Engineering crops with improved vitamin content, Golden Rice, vitamin A, carotenoid biosynthesis. Engineering plant protein content for improved nutrition: lysine deficiency in cereal: methionine and cysteine deficiency in legumes: storage proteins, phaseolin, vicilin, zein, prolamnin, . Improved crop yield through genetic manipulation of photosynthesis. Molecular Pharming in palnts: carbohydrates, lipids and proteins: hirudin, industrial-scale production of enzymes.

Dr S Rosser: Microbial Biotechnology

These two lectures will provide a broad overview and introduction to microbial biotechnology. How microorganisms can be used as cell factories for the production of valuable proteins and compounds for use in the health care and fine chemical industry will be discussed. The use of microorganisms and their components in environmental monitoring, clean up and pollution prevention will be described. In addition an introduction will be provided on the emerging field of synthetic biology and its potential to influence the application of biological knowledge for solving major world problems.

Dr J Mountford: Animal Biotechnology

Introduction to the sources of stem cells including adult (somatic) stem cells, embryonic stem cells and the recently generated induced pluripotent stem cells. Review of the fundamental characteristics that define stem cells and how these properties can be exploited for clinical, pharmaceutical and research purposes. Current status of stem cell field with particular regard to their use for clinical and pharmaceutical applications. Consideration of current limitations of stem cells from the various sources and strategies for overcoming some of these issues, including specific examples of genetic manipulation to alter stem cell characteristics.

Unit O: Essential Cell Biology

Dr M Riehle: .Cell Engineering
Contributions of molecular biology, cell biology, bio-materials and engineering to cell engineering. Examples: tendon, cochlear electrodes and bone.

Unit P: Experimental Strategies

Dr J Gray, Dr I Johnstone, Dr K ODell, Dr S Rosser, Prof WM Stark
How to determine experimental strategies and design specific experiments to address contemporary issues in biology and medicine. These lectures will include elements of student interaction. They will build upon techniques and strategies discussed earlier in the programme and, as such, will be an invaluable revision tool.

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IX.

LABORATORIES

Molecular Genetic Methods

Prof J Dow & Prof S Davies
Cloning, using the PCR technique, a gene encoding an L1-Cell Adhesion Molecule that affects female sexual behaviour in Drosophila. Principles and practice of the PCR reaction, insertion into a vector plasmid, transformation of E, coli, plasmid DNA purification, restriction mapping, Southern blotting, DNA sequencing and analysis.

Molecular Graphics and Protein 3-Dimensional Structure

Prof EJ Milner-White
Analysis of protein three-dimensional structure by manipulation of colour models of polypeptide and protein crystal structures on computer using real-time rotation. Comparison of 3D structures and sequences, data retrieval from the Internet.

C. elegans: Model Organism

Dr I Johnstone
The nematode caemorhabditis elegans will be used to illustrate methods for isolation of mutants and their classification by phenotypes.

Plasmids and Transposons

Prof WM Stark
Investigations of bacterial plasmids: their size, drug resistance genes, transposable elements, ability to promote bacterial conjugation and transfer their own genes, and their inter-relationships. Groups of students will plan their own experiments, which will include bacteriological plate tests, genetic techniques of conjugation and transformation, and DNA isolation and restriction analysis.

Plant Molecular Biology

Dr JJ Milner and Prof G Jenkins
Student groups will design experiments to study the regulation of expression of flavonoid biosynthesis genes in Arabidopsis. Transcription will be assessed using Northern blots and promoter-reporter constructs, in wild type and mutants, in response to various stimuli.

Animal Cell Culture

Dr M Riehle
Basic handling of an established cell line. Response to growth factors in serum. .Fluorescence microscopy of cytoskeletal and other structures in mammalian cells grown in culture, with digital image capture. Tracking of locomotion of human neutrophils.

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X.

STUDENT-DIRECTED LEARNING
Topic Mutants and Models Tryptophan Synthetase Weeks 1-10 1-2 Staff JVG, RGS, KOD, JBW RMcC, RT

XI.

OTHER USEFUL PROGRAMME INFORMATION

Teaching Staff
Name Dr Mark Bailey Dr Olwyn Byron Prof Shireen Davies Dr Peter Dominy Prof Julian Dow Miss Allison Faichney Dr Barbara Mable Prof Darren Monckton Dr Sheila Graham Dr Joe Gray Ms Wendy Henderson Prof Miles Houslay Prof Gareth Jenkins Dr Iain Johnstone Ms Loraine McDonald Mrs Julie Alexander Dr Richard McCulloch Dr Joel Milner Prof James Milner-White Dr Kevin ODell Dr Lisa Ranford-Cartwright Dr Mathis Riehle Dr Susan Rosser Dr Pam Scott Mr David Somerville Prof Marshall Stark Dr Joanna Wilson Dr Stephen Yarwood Dr Cheryl Woolhead Ms Angela Watt Location Davidson Building B2-11, GBRC Davidson Building Bower Building Davidson Building G.U. Library Graham Kerr Building Davidson Building Joseph Black Building 208, Robertson 107-108, Robertson Wolfson Building Bower Building 215, Davidson Building A2-93a, Joseph Black A2-93a, Joseph Black GBRC Bower Building Joseph Black B3-19 Davidson Building B5-17 GBRC B3-34A Joseph Black Bower Building Joseph Black Building A2-32f, Joseph Black Bower Building Davidson Building 239, Davidson Building Davidson Building Boyd Orr Building Tel 5994/6220 3752 5113/6811 4390 4616 6711 3532 6213 0003 5114 6219 5903 5906 3745 0784 0784 5946 5836 5283 6218 2639 2931 8644 3703 4014 5116 5108 3908 5161 6824 E-mail* M.Bailey@bio.gla.ac.uk O.Byron@bio.gla.ac.uk S.Davies@bio.gla.ac.uk P.Dominy@bio.gla.ac.uk Julian.Dow@bio.gla.ac.uk A.J.Faichney@lib.gla.ac.uk B.Mable@bio.gla.ac.uk D.Monckton@bio.gla.ac.uk S.V.Graham@bio.gla.ac.uk J.Gray@bio.gla.ac.uk W.Henderson@bio.gla.ac.uk M.Houslay@bio.gla.ac.uk G.Jenkins@bio.gla.ac.uk I.Johnstone@vet.gla.ac.uk loraine.mcdonald@bio.gla.ac.uk julie@mblab.gla.ac.uk R.McCulloch@vet.gla.ac.uk J.Milner@bio.gla.ac.uk e.j.milnerwhite@bio.gla.ac.uk K.ODell@bio.gla.ac.uk L.C.Ranford-Cartwright@bio.gla.ac.uk M.Riehle@bio.gla.ac.uk S.Rosser@bio.gla.ac.uk P.Scott@bio.gla.ac.uk david.somerville@bio.gla.ac.uk M.Stark@bio.gla.ac.uk Joanna.Wilson@bio.gla.ac.uk S.Yarwood@bio.gla.ac.uk C.Woolhead@bio.gla.ac.uk A.Watt@bio.gla.ac.uk

Most phone numbers can be reached from outwith the University by prefixing the number with 330

Class and Divisional Libraries

Books from the Molecular and Cellular Biology/Genetics class library may be borrowed by signing the appropriate card. The key for the library can be obtained from Miss Julie Mackenie or Miss Loraine McDonald (room A2-93a). Please respect the system and return books promptly. We collect a small subscription each year to buy new books. The library is situated on the right hand side of the access corridor leading to the Teaching Lab (A2-32a).The library is split in to two

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sections Microbiology /Parasitology & Molecular & Cellular Biology /Genetics. Rules for both sections are the same and are posted on the front of the library. The library also includes a small number of video-tapes which can be borrowed for viewing at home, or with equipment available in the teaching area. A set of textbooks for the use of Genetics students is shelved in the Genetics Undergraduate Room 110 in Anderson College (ground floor of the Anderson-Robertson corridor). They should not be taken from that room.

Computers
In addition to University CSCE provision, the Joseph Black Building PC cluster (Room B3-21) will be available from 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday. It is usually available on an individual drop-in basis. From time to time, however, it is booked for class teaching. Please do not intrude on these sessions, even if some machines are not in use. The computers are connected to the University high-speed network, and in addition to e-mail and word-processing, can be used for accessing e-journals, and databases of literature, protein and nucleic acid sequences and molecular structure. We will assign you a username and password so that you can use these facilities and your own file space on the mblab Unix system. (See the separate booklet about the Mac cluster in the Joseph Black Building). Your mblab file space and e-mail is accessible via Appleshare from other networked Macs on campus.

Student (Common) Rooms

There is no dedicated student common room in the laboratory area but you are encouraged to use the tutorial rooms (A2-30, A2-31, A2-33a & A2-33b) adjacent to the lab for studying if they are not already booked for other purposes. Bookings for the week are posted on the door of each room to allow staff & students to check when rooms may be free. Be advised that rooms may be booked at short notice and that all teaching meetings have priority over informal gatherings. Smoking is not allowed but food and drink may be consumed in these rooms. For this reason lab coats should be removed before entering. Please ensure these rooms are tidy and litter-free when you leave. There are six PCs available in room A2-31

Lockers
Locker keys will be allocated to L3 Students by Mr David Somerville. These keys to be kept for the session but must be returned to technical staff on or before the date of the last exam of the session. We strongly advise you not to leave books, bags, cash, credit cards or any other valuables unattended. Keep them on your person or in your locker. The University does not accept responsibility for your personal effects.

Photocopiers
A photocopier is situated in A2-94 and may not be used while the room is occupied by meetings. Cards for the copier can be purchased from either Miss Julie MacKenzie or Miss Loraine McDonald (room A2-93a) at the following times: Tue 12.-12.30, Wed 12-12.15 & Fri 13.30-13.45. Any problems with the copier should be reported to the above technicians as soon as they are discovered. Cards for the Genetics Departmental photocopiers may be purchased from the Divisional Office.

E-mail
Email to your Glasgow University address is frequently used for messages about the programme, some of which may be urgent, so it is your duty to watch out for these, preferably daily. Do not forward your email to another address. For ease of access from outside, we are increasingly using web pages. Genetics students should consult www.mblab.gla.ac.uk for M&CB and Genetics pages.

Moodle
Moodle gives you on- and off-campus access to teaching materials such as lecture outlines and powerpoint slides as well as other course information, (see the quick link on the Universitys home page). As with email, it should be checked on a regular basis.

The Molecular & Cellular Biology / Genetics Society

The G-gnomes was established in November 2007 with the aim of promoting the areas of Genetics and Molecular & Cellular Biology and developing the interest of students already studying those fields. The Society hold monthly seminars followed by food, a few drinks, a raffle and the ever-popular pub quiz. Board positions are open for re-election at the beginning of the year and everyone is encouraged to get involved.

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Careers Information
The University has an excellent Careers Service situated at 3, University Gardens. You are encouraged to go along and meet the Careers Adviser and gain familiarity with the programme of events, publications and the possible types of individual advice available from the Service.

Preparing your CV
Take considerable care in preparing this document. Remember that it has frequently to represent you to a prospective supervisor or employer. Make absolutely certain there are no spelling mistakes. Use no more than 2 fonts, and avoid underlininguse bold face instead. Avoid having too many different vertical alignments on a page. Print on good quality paper (not the cheapest as supplied to the mblab printer). Some experts recommend you list your educational career in reverse order, so that the most recent and important parts come first. In order not to lose impact and possibly bore readers, your CV should not be overly long. Although it is a good idea to keep a basic CV on file it may be beneficial to fine-tune it to each particular application. A possible layout is shown below.

Job Applications and Interviews

When sending in your application for a job, it is usually best to include a covering letter (a single side of paper) with your CV. This letter should include the information that you are applying for the post of <job title> and some indication to your potential employer as to why you are the person they should employ. Show that you are really interested in the job and explain why. Highlight any aspects of your experience or qualifications which you believe make you the ideal person for the job. Remember that there are likely to be hundreds of applications for some jobs and you want to make your application stand out so that you will be on the interview short-list. Prepare for interview by finding out more about the company or research lab. Read their literature / research papers or look at the companys web page and be prepared to ask (intelligent!) questions as well as answer questions by an interview panel. This will show that youve actually thought about the job seriously. For the interview itself ensure you make a good impression by dressing appropriately (this normally means smart and relatively conservative, and any baggage should be in a small bag/briefcase). Smile (as naturally as possible) at the interviewer(s) and remember to make eye contact. When asked a question be prepared to ask for clarification or admit ignorancedont waffle. More information can be obtained from Phil Races book How to succeed as a final year student; Chapter 7: Writing your CV and making job applications & Chapter 8: Interviews and tests.

Section A : Page 20

Joe (full names) BLOGGS Curriculum Vitae

Date of birth Addresses 17/6/82 Single Home 35, Whatever Street, Glasgow Postcode 01 etc. username@mblab.gla.ac.uk British or as appropriate

Telephone e-mail Nationality

Term Flat etc. Glasgow Postcode 0141 etc.

Fields of particular interest Special activities (scientific) Education University of Glasgow 3rd year: Genetics BSc. This is a programme taught jointly with third year Molecular and Cellular Biology by staff of the Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences specialising in Genetics, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Virology. It concentrates on the use of molecular techniques in the analysis of gene and cell function. There is a strong biochemical and genetical foundation. Viruses are considered both as experimental systems and as disease causing agents. Student-directed learning sessions study genetic methodology, human genetics and application of genetics to the study of evolution. The programme contains a large element of laboratory work including mutant isolation, genetic crosses, DNA blotting, sequencing and PCR, bacterial and plant gene expression, bacterial plasmids and transposons, mammalian cells in culture. Relevant vacation employment 1st and 2nd year: subjects passed, grades, exemptions and certificates Whatever School Certificates, subjects and grades at SYS, A or H and O levels etc. School activities Relevant vacation employment You may be asked about these in an interview! Usually your adviser, and a Programme Coordinator. Include their addresses with email / FAX / telephone numbers. It would be polite and desirable to ask them first! Also a good idea to provide them with a copy of your CV when a reference request is imminent.

Hobbies and interests Referees

Vacation Employment
In the summer vacation between years three and four, you may wish to work in a research institute, University or other laboratory, in this country or abroad. There can be considerable competition for places, so plan to get your application in by January at the latest. A number of scholarships are available for students with strong academic performance records from the Carnegie Foundation, the Wellcome Foundation, the Scottish Home and Health Department, and the Pontecorvo Fund. Arranging vacation work is a matter for your own initiative. Staff who teach in areas you are particularly interested in may sometimes be able to help with suggestions of who to approach.

XII.

LEVEL-4

The six component courses (20 credits each) of the Level-4 programme are: 4 x Honours options Genetics Project & Dissertation 4 Genetics Advanced Studies 4

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Choice of Project
Towards the end of Level 3 you will be asked to indicate your preference for Level 4 project. The Level 4 projects vary both in format and subject. They include wet research format projects placed within labs that are actively engaged in research in fields relevant to Group B degrees, outreach projects within schools, business projects (only available to those taking the Business and Bioscience Option), and potentially group projects where team skills are developed. The precise format and content of available projects can vary between years depending on what staff offer. We always attempt to accommodate students within projects that match their indicated preferences, however access to some projects is competitive and where places are limited, student academic performance is used to allocate places. The most critical measure of performance is your Level 3 grades. The list of projects to choose from will be posted in April. You will be required to write a 2000-3000 word introduction to your project by the first week of the L4 year. It is therefore advisable to prepare for this during the vacation. The introduction should consist of: (i) (ii) (iii) Purpose of project: brief description of the immediate objectives of the research. Background: an overview of our current understanding of the area of study. Plan of investigation: a clear statement of the experimental programme with explicit reference to the techniques to be employed.

As soon as you have been allotted a project, you should therefore consult your supervisor and discuss the background reading you will need to do before the following year.

Dissertation
The dissertation is an essay of approximately 3000 words on a topic of your own choice. It is up to your to choose a topic and find a member of staff who is willing to supervise you. Suggestions will be available if you require help. The dissertation does not have to be completed until Term 2 of Level-4, so there is no hurry, but you may wish to explore possible topics during your summer reading.

Level-4 Honours Options

Level-4 Honours option courses are offered in four 5-week blocks during the two semesters: A list options (Semester 1, Weeks 26) B list options (Semester 1, Weeks 711) C list options (Semester 2, Weeks 1721) D list options (Semester 2, Weeks 2226)

If you are taking a Single Honours programme, you will take four Honours options, one from each of the four 5-week blocks. If you are taking a Combined Honours programme, you will take only two Honours options. Towards the end of your Level-3 year, you will choose the options that you wish to study in Level-4. Please note that the list of offered Honours options changes slightly each year as options are introduced, withdrawn or moved; options available to students in Level-4 in the current session may not be available for you to choose. More information about options can be found on the Web page: www.gla.ac.uk/faculties/fbls/us/informationforcurrentstudents/level-4options/

Available option choices:

There are some limitations to which options you may choose: Each Level-4 programme sets its own 'rules' about options that are compulsory, recommended, permitted or not allowed; you must comply with these. The rules for each programme will be set out in the webform you will be asked to submit. Some options only accept students with an appropriate background. Before choosing your options, you should check the option outlines to ensure that you comply with the entry requirements of those options. Option outlines for next session will become available during Semester 2. The Business & the Biosciences option, which runs in September before the start of Semester 1, does not belong to a particular option block; you may choose this option as an A, B, C or D option then choose one option from each of the three other blocks. This option is compulsory for students undertaking a commercial project. The Marine Microbiology option, which runs in September before the start of Semester 1, does not belong to a particular option block; you may choose this option as an A, B, C or D option then choose one option from each of the three other blocks.

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The Marine Microbiology option may run at the same time as either the Tropical Rainforest Ecology or the Tropical Marine Biology options as these three field trip-based options all run in August or September before the start of Semester 1. Before choosing your options, you should check the dates don't clash. Option outlines for next session will become available during Semester 2. You should list the Tropical Marine Biology or Tropical Rainforest Ecology options as a choice only if you have already been offered a place. There are a very limited number of places on these field trip-based options. You should list the Investigating Biological Function option as a choice only if you have already pre-registered your interest. Students who have not pre-registered may not choose this option.

Allocation to options:
Unless otherwise stated, there will be an upper limit of approximately 35 students per option. If an option is oversubscribed, preference will be given to those students with the best academic record at Level-3 and to those students in the Honours programme which offers the option. In addition, options may be cancelled if too few students wish to do them. Whenever possible, you will be allocated to your first choice of option. However, students are sometimes allocated to their second choice so it is important that your second choice is a valid selection for your Level-4 programme.

Publication of option allocations:

You will be notified of your option allocations by email after the Level-3 resits results are published. Therefore, you should check your @student email account regularly towards the end of the summer vacation. You should not contact the Undergraduate School Office to check your option allocations.

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Section B: Level-3 Regulations, Policy & Advice

XIII. ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS
The information set out below should be read in conjunction with the Universitys current Calendar, especially the University Fees and General Information for Students and Faculties of Science sections. The Calendar provides definitive regulations; the information below is an attempt to summarise these regulations, with further details at the Level 3 section of the UGS website http://www.gla.ac.uk/faculties/fbls/us/informationforcurrentstudents/level-3/ See Quick Links. The Calendar is available online at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/senateoffice/calendar/ Important material also appears in the Universitys Code of Assessment http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/senateoffice/academic/assessment/

Minimum Requirements for the Award of Credits and Incomplete Assessment

There is a minimum requirement for the award of credits for a course. In summary, you must: complete at least 75% of the assessment for the course (lab reports, class tests, exams) attend all laboratories and tutorials (and fieldwork, if appropriate)

If you do not meet these requirements, you will not normally be awarded an overall grade or credits for the course. If you are prevented from completing one or more of the items of assessment, or attending the exams at the end of a course because of illness or adverse personal circumstances, you must submit through WebSURF a medical or other written report (see Absence section below). Further details on incomplete assessment is provided at the UGS website (see above).

Absence
You must complete a WebSURF absence report for any significant absence from the University. Significant absence is defined by the Universitys Absence Policy. Details can be found here: http://senate.gla.ac.uk/academic/policies/student_absence_policy.html Supporting documentary evidence will be required and should be scanned electronically and linked to the WebSURF absence report.

Absence from End-of-Course Examinations

If you do not sit the end-of-course examination at the first diet, you must submit written documentary evidence to explain why you could not sit the exam at the normal time. Full details of the requirements are given in the Universitys Student Absence Policy and at the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3).

Illness or Adverse Circumstances affecting performance during End-ofCourse Examinations

If you attended the end-of-course examinations but you believe that there are circumstances before or during the exams that may have affected your performance, please let us know promptly so that this can be considered at the meeting of the Board of Examiners. More details on this issue are available at the UGS website, under the section for students in Level 3.

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Absence from Class Tests

If you are absent from a class test, you must submit written documentary evidence. Full details of the requirements are given in the Universitys Student Absence Policy and further explanation is provided at the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3). If the written evidence is accepted, your final assessment for the course will be based on the assessment that you have completed, provided that you have completed at least 75% of the assessment (if necessary, your Programme Coordinator may set you an alternative exercise of equal academic weight). If you do not provide written evidence of a good reason for your absence or if the written evidence is not accepted, you will be given zero for the class test.

Illness or Adverse Circumstances affecting hand-in of Assessed Coursework

In the event of illness or adverse circumstances, non-submission is not an option. The work MUST ALWAYS be handed in, but may be handed in late according to the rules that are explained at the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3).

Late Submission of Coursework

Normally, unless you have been certified absent, coursework which is submitted late will be marked as usual, but a total of 2 secondary bands will be deducted per full or part working day beyond the published deadline. So, if work is due for submission on Monday at noon, but is submitted at 2 pm on Tuesday, a grade of C1 (see Assessment Procedure) would be reduced to D2. Work due in at noon on a Friday but delivered at 10 am the following Monday would fall by 2 secondary bands. This applies to a maximum of five working days. Work submitted thereafter will be graded H and will not normally be accepted after it has been marked and returned to the rest of the class.

Cheating
Cheating in Examinations
The use of any unfair means in class and end-of-course examinations, or assisting anyone to do so, is always regarded as a disciplinary offence. If you are caught cheating in examinations, you will be referred to the Senate Assessors for Discipline.

Copying of Coursework: Plagiarism

Assessment of your coursework is intended to assess your own personal effort. If you use work that has been prepared by other people work from your classmates, from the literature or from internet sites this is an attempt to subvert the assessment process and is regarded very seriously. The issue of plagiarism is raised with students at all Levels. By Level 3, there is an expectation that students understand the issues and are aware of the need to avoid plagiarism. Brief reminders are available at the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3).

XIV.

ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE

How you will be Assessed: Code of Assessment

All assessment is governed by the Universitys Code of Assessment. The Code of Assessment is published in the University Fees and General Information for Students section of the University Calendar and a guide for students is available from the Senate Office at: http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/senateoffice/academic/assessment/ The basic principles underlying the code are as follows: Each item of assessment (end-of-course exam, project report, class test, laboratory reports, essays etc.) will be judged against a series of verbal descriptors (excellent through to very poor; see Schedule A at the UGS website [see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3]). These determine the primary grade to be

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awarded. The descriptors define the grade in terms of how well the candidate has demonstrated attainment of the Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs). The verbal descriptors are generic and are intended to cover every course and degree programme in the University. Additional guidance is provided by the FBLS marking criteria for specific types and levels of assessment. Again, these are defined on the UGS website. Each item of assessment will also be given a secondary band within the primary grade. The combination of primary grade and secondary band defines a numerical score which can be used to aggregate and weight appropriately the assessed components of the course. The aggregation score derived from each assessed piece of work is multiplied by the appropriate relative weighting for that assessment (see Relative Weighting of Assessment) and summed to give an overall aggregation score. This is rounded to give an integer (0.5 is rounded up, while <0.5 is rounded down). The overall aggregation score is then converted to the equivalent grade (e.g. 17.6 is rounded up to 18 A, 11.2 is rounded down to 11 D).

End-of-Course Examination Procedures

Setting of papers: Question papers are reviewed by internal examiners and the External Examiner. Marking: Answer books are identified by registration number only. Each question is normally set and marked by a different member of staff so the answers of a given candidate may be marked by several markers. Each script is marked once. Grades are assigned according to the Code of Assessment. Scripts of all candidates who took the examination are available to the External Examiners who may read an assortment of scripts including those of borderline cases. Board of Examiners: This committee of internal examiners and the External Examiner confirms the final result for each candidate. In cases where the examiners are not agreed, the External Examiner (who knows the candidates only from the examinations) is asked to adjudicate and advise in reaching a final decision. It is at the Board of Examiners meeting that special circumstances and medical certificates are considered. It is for this reason that absence reports relating to exams must be submitted promptly. Using this information, the Board of Examiners will judge if absence is with good cause as defined by the Universitys regulations.

Assessment Scheme for Students on a Designated Degree Course

If students on a Designated Degree course wish to be considered for entry to Level 4, students should complete all items of assessed coursework and answer the full quota of questions in the end-of-course examinations. Students on a Designated Degree programme who do not wish to be considered for entry to Level 4 may choose either to submit only 75% of the coursework assignments and answer 75% of the quota of questions in the end-ofcourse examinations or to complete 100% of the assessment and have only the best 75% taken into account in the final published grades. Note that the published grades for all students on a Designated Degree programme will be based on the best 75% of their assessment, as explained above. If a student wishes to apply for entry to Level-4, the grades attained on the full 100% of the assessments will be reviewed; these grades may differ from the published grades. If plagiarism has been established for a particular item of assessment and no marks awarded (see Cheating), then this item of assessment will not be discounted under the 75% rule.

Transfer from Honours to Designated Degree Programme

On occasion, Level 3 students admitted to Honours do not wish to progress to Level 4 or fail make the progression criteria (see later section). Providing they are appropriately qualified, they may be able to graduate with a Designated Degree in the named Honours subject. If in addition to the above, they have not attained the minimum requirements to graduate, they may be allowed to transfer to the Designated Degree course and be assessed on the best 75% of their work even after the Level 3 Honours results are published. This may raise the students overall attainment to the minimum required to graduate. Any such student will then graduate with the appropriate BSc in a Designated Subject (BSc Animal Biology, BSc Biomedical Sciences, BSc Human Biology, BSc Infection Biology or BSc Sports Science) rather than the named Honours degree. If you are in this position, you should consult both your Adviser of Studies and your Programme Coordinator as soon as possible.

End-of-Course Examination Timetable

It is your responsibility to ensure that you know the time, date and place for each of your examinations. As it is sometimes necessary to change the examination timetable, you should check for yourself your timetable, on the Registry web page, in the week before the examination period. If you miss an examination, for any reason,

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you can only take the examination at the next diet (e.g. the resits); special sittings cannot be arranged. If you are late for an examination, you will not be given extra time. Issues of assessment of more answers than are required by the examiners, the use of calculators and the use of dictionaries are addressed at the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3).

Resit Examinations
If you are awarded a grade A, B, C or D at the first examination diet, you will not normally be allowed to resit the end-of-course examination. If you have an E, F, G or H grade, or Credit Withheld result, you will be entitled to resit the examination, but normally only once and at the next available diet; the grade points awarded as the result of the resit examination will be capped at 10. A resit of the Level 3 examination does not normally allow admission to Level 4. Coursework grades will be carried forward to the resit diet. You must register for resits with the Registry even if you had an MV at the first sitting. Resit examinations take place in August (check the timetable on the Registry webpage); bear this in mind when you are planning work or holidays. It is important to register for resits at the correct time so that proper arrangements can be made for the resit exams, including any special examination requirements for students with special needs or disabilities. If you are normally resident outside the UK, you may be permitted to take your resits at an approved centre in your home country, if you have difficulty in returning to the University to sit exams in vacations. For more information, please see the Registrys website. If you are resident within the UK, you are expected to take resits at the University of Glasgow.

Student Portfolios
The University requires that all coursework contributing to the final assessment for each course should be available for inspection by the External Examiner; this includes both assessed coursework and end-of-course examination scripts. Consequently, you must keep all marked coursework together in a portfolio and be prepared to submit this to the External Examiner, if necessary. You may find it useful to consult your portfolio of marked work before preparing further assessed coursework.

Appealing Against the Published Result for a Course

The University Code of Procedure for Appeals is set out at length in the University Fees and General Information for Students section of the University Calendar. A summary appears at the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3).

Students with Disabilities

Special provisions, including special examination and other assessment arrangements, may be made for students, because of their temporary or permanent disability. The special arrangements are intended to enable students to perform to the best of their ability: they are not intended to give any unfair advantage to a candidate. All students with ongoing disabilities are invited to register with the Student Disability Service as soon as possible in order for recommendations to be made for departmental and examination support. Any student requiring special arrangements in examinations in relation to an ongoing disability must inform the Student Disability Service and provide written evidence to support any requests in good time; deadlines for the January and May/June examinations diets are published on the Student Disability Service website (http://www.gla.ac.uk/services/specialneeds/). It is essential for students to comply with these deadlines, to ensure that there is adequate time to make arrangements. Students who are dyslexic must produce evidence of an up-to-date Dyslexia Assessment Report, which meets the requirements of the University and includes specific mention of recommendations for examinations.

XV.

PROGRESSION TO LEVEL 4

The University regulations are to be found in the Faculty of Science section of the Calendar and in the Undergraduate Course Catalogue.

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Students in Level 3 Honours Programmes

To continue to Level 4, you need a grade D or better in the BOTH Level 3 Honours courses normally at the first attempt and be qualified for a BSc in the designated subject (360 credits and a grade point average of at least 10).

Transfer from a Level 3 Designated Degree Programme to a Level 4 Honours Programme

If you were admitted to a Designated Degree programme, you will only be allowed to transfer to the Honours programme and continue study at Level 4 in exceptional cases. Transfer is at the discretion of the Director of the Undergraduate School. If you wish to be considered for transfer to Honours, you should: discuss your intentions with your Level 3 Programme Coordinator apply by submission of the appropriate webform near the end of the Level 3 year. You will be e-mailed with further information toward the end of the academic session

You should not contact the Director of the Undergraduate School directly. The requirements for transfer from a Level-3 Designated Degree course to Level 4 Honours are stringent. More details are available from the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3).

XVI.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN STAFF AND STUDENTS

E-mailing Staff
If you contact staff by e-mail, you should normally use your student e-mail address; it is FBLS policy that personal information should not be sent to non-University e-mail addresses. Please remember that you are e-mailing a member of staff, and do not use language more suited to communicating with your friends.

Notices to Students
You should check the course notice board and Moodle regularly for special announcements, e.g. seminars, timetable changes, job offers etc. Important messages to the class will also be sent to you at your student e-mail address; you should check your e-mail regularly and ensure that your Inbox does not exceed it allocated storage limits, thereby preventing you from receiving further inbound messages.

Display of Personal Data

FBLS may display personal student data (i.e. names, registration numbers, results) on notice boards and Moodle sites. If you prefer not to have your data so displayed, you must inform your Programme Coordinator as soon as possible. You will then be responsible for making an appointment with the Programme Coordinator to receive your results in person.

Staff-Student Liaison Committees and Representation of the Student Voice

There are 8 Staff-Student Liaison Committees (SSLCs) which cover the full range of FBLS courses at all levels. Full details of these SSLCs can be found on the Undergraduate School website: www.gla.ac.uk/faculties/fbls/us/informationforcurrentstudents/ We regard SSLCs as one of a number of vital channels for communication of information between staff and students, and we urge you to consider acting as a student representative. More on student representation is discussed at the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3).

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Written Complaints
If you have a specific problem concerning an FBLS course or a member of staff, which you feel has not been adequately dealt with or cannot be dealt with through the SSLC or by discussion with the Programme Coordinator you should send a written complaint to: The Director of the Undergraduate School, UGS Office, Bower Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ. You should receive an acknowledgement of your complaint within 7 working days and an account of any action taken within 4 weeks of the receipt of your complaint.

XVII. FACULTY OF BIOMEDICAL & LIFE SCIENCES POLICY STATEMENTS

A number of policy statements covering discipline, accreditation, personal development planning etc. appear at the UGS website (see Quick Links in the section for students in Level 3).

XVIII.SESSION DATES
Dates for the current and following academic sessions are published by the University here: http://senate.gla.ac.uk/academic/sessiondates.html You must be available for teaching and assessments throughout these periods do not make holiday or work arrangements that may conflict with teaching or examinations. Note that the Spring diet examinations may be scheduled right up until the end of the designated examination periods and final results may be published sometime thereafter once the Facultys Boards of Examiners have met.

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Undergraduate School of Biomedical & Life Sciences Bower Building, University of Glasgow Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK Tel: +44 (0)141-330 3994 Fax: +44(0)141-330 6093 Email: ugs@bio.gla.ac.uk Web: www.glasgow.ac.uk/faculties/fbls/us/

The University of Glasgow, charity number SC004401

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