COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will cover basic areas in cell biology with emphasis on selected topics of current interest. The three main areas will be intracellular protein transport, the nucleus, and the cytoskeleton. Topics include: membrane structure and biogenesis, functions of intracellular membranes and the signal hypothesis, protein trafficking and intracellular sorting, exocytosis, endocytosis and membrane fusion, nuclear structure and organization, nuclear transport, mRNA localization, self-assembly of cytoskeletal structures, actin, microtubules, intermediate filaments, molecular motors, mitosis, cell cycle, cell junctions, extracellular matrix, cytoskeleton, small G proteins, and signal transduction.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this course, you will understand the structures and functions of most cell components and how they communicate and interact with each other. It will make scientific literature and seminars more accessible to you. You will develop an overall sense and feel for life on a cellular level.

PREREQUISITES:
Some background in biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology is helpful but not required.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Albert’s “Molecular Biology of the Cell” 7th edition. https://digital.wwnorton.com/mboc7 
ISBN-10: ‎0393884821; ISBN-13: 978-0393884821

Reading the relevant chapter(s) prior to the lecture is required and essential for understanding the lectures. Additional required reading material will be provided by each lecturer consisting of review articles and original research articles.

SUITABLE FOR 1ST YEAR STUDENTS:
Yes

STUDENT ASSESSMENTS:
Based on three in-class exams and, to a minor extent, on three team-based learning sessions (TBLs).
Grading is on a curve, not on a fixed score, which will be discussed after each exam.

CREDIT HOURS: 5.0