Biological Sciences

This skills course allows students to obtain a basic introduction to techniques and methods in modern Genetics. The first skills take place at a designated skills laboratory at Chemelot campus; subsequent skills training topics "Genomes and Genomics" are taught in a computer landscape. These days integrate theoretical and practical information. Each student receives theoretical and practical in silico training in the morning, followed by a limited number of tasks to execute on the computer and answered in a skills report. The final skills consist of a student group presentation where the combined theoretical and practical skills on Genetics are applied to a pre-assigned task. This skills course covers the following: procedures to purify genomic DNA from eukaryotic cells and plasmid (circular) DNA from prokaryotic cells and perform quantitative analyses on each product; polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis; analysis of DNA products using restriction digestion, ligation and agarose gel electrophoresis; isolation of RNA from eukaryotic cells and apply reverse transcription to generate copy DNA; Western immunoblotting; genetic and genomic websites, general and specialized databases, and relationships of genes within and between databases; technical training for more advanced skills in molecular biology and the life sciences. Prerequisite for this course is Cell Biology.

This course introduces basic and important key concepts and future trends of current life and biological science. In addition, the course reviews modern research trends related to the research interests of department faculties. Topics include: plant functional genomics using virus-induced gene silencing; genome dynamics and evolution of Escherichia coli; plant-specific lethal genes involved in chloroplast development; proteomic approaches to identify multiple target molecules associated with neurodegeneration; identification of immune regulators; principles and applications of plant biotechnology; the mechanism of cytokinesis; cell fate specification in the Arabidopsis root epidermis; Drosophila as a genetic model for human diseases; monoclonal antibodies as anticancer drugs; new insights of O-GlcNAc biology; epigenetic regulation of chromatin dynamics, and focusing on the genetics aspects of Down Syndrome and Parkinson Disease.

This course introduces students to the taxonomy and systematics of major vertebrate groups and the comparative processes which govern morphology, adaptations, biology, and ecology. Topics include the origin of vertebrates; evolution of major vertebrate groups; present day diversity; and animal function (locomotion, respiration, reproduction, feeding and digestion).

The Veterinary Medicine Experience runs every Wednesday afternoon for ten weeks throughout semester one and is aimed at students currently undertaking a science major undergraduate degree. It enables students to experience first-hand all of the School of Veterinary Studies' research, teaching, clinical, and farm facilities. This pathway is designed for students who wish to study veterinary medicine after graduating. Students gain intensive veterinary work experience at the world renowned Easter Bush Campus, located in the area with the largest concentration of animal science expertise in Europe and incorporating the Roslin Institute, equine, farm, small and exotic animal practices, School of Veterinary Medicine teaching facilities, the University farms, and the Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security. The Veterinary Medicine Experience offers practical classes in the following areas: small animal practice, internal medicine, and diagnostic imaging; veterinary clinical skills; exotic animal practice; farm animal hospital and a visit to Langhill Dairy Farm; equine hospital, equine first aid, and large animal clinical skills; introduction to pathology; veterinary public health; and sustainability and food production.

This course provides an understanding of how genes are expressed in eukaryotes and prokaryotes and to provide an understanding of the key molecular biology techniques. Students study how genes are expressed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, discuss the ways in which the expression of eukaryotic genes are regulated, and describe the theoretical basis of key molecular biology techniques.

A Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach is used with emphasis on real-life cases connecting human nutrition, well-being and environmental health. Topics include impacts of certain dietary habits and demands on food systems (e.g. demand for cheap sources of calories, rise of meat consumption, demand for year-round luxury foods) and the depletion of soil and increased fertilizer use. We consider how toxins, known as xenobiotics, affect human health and how sensory decisions are influenced by the environment.

This course explores the intersection of biological, chemical, and geological processes that shape the soil environment. In an era of unprecedented human-induced environmental change, research in this field is advancing rapidly. The course explores the processes underlying biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nutrients, soil formation and erosion, and examines how human activities alter these processes. Topics include microbial and plant-mediated carbon and nutrient cycling, the role of biological diversity in biogeochemical processes, the importance of mycorrhiza for plant nutrition, soil food webs, and exploration into how new techniques are advancing studies of the soil environment. The course is designed to facilitate critical discussion and analysis of various soil processes, and improve research, dissemination, and presentation skills.