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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
BIOLD006B
Course Title (CB02)
Cell and Molecular Biology
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course is an introduction to cellular structure and function, biological molecules, bioenergetics, molecular genetics, and cell proliferation. The laboratory includes extensive hands-on experimentation in molecular biology.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is a major preparation requirement in the discipline of Biology for at least one CSU or UC. This course belongs on the Biological Sciences AS degree. This course provides students in the life sciences with essential foundations in cell and molecular biology.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
Yes
Foothill Course ID
BIOL F001A

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGB2CSU GE Area B2 - Life ScienceApproved
CGB3CSU GE Area B3 - Science Laboratory ActivityApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG5BIGETC Area 5B - Biological ScienceApproved
IG5CIGETC Area 5C - Science LaboratoryApproved
C-IDArea(s)StatusDetails
BIOLBiologyApprovedC-ID BIOL 190 (BIOL D006A or BIOL D06AH) & BIOL D006B & (BIOL D006C or BIOL D06CH) required for C-ID BIOL 135 S

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
6.0
Maximum Credit Units
6.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours6.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
72.0
Total
120.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

BIOL D006A or BIOL D06AH

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

  • EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.
  • Intermediate algebra or equivalent (or higher), or appropriate placement beyond intermediate algebra

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Laboratory experience which involve students in formal exercises of data collection and analysis

Laboratory discussion sessions and quizzes that evaluate the laboratory exercises

Assignments

  1. Readings from the text and other assigned sources
  2. Written laboratory reports, problem sets, or other assignments including results from laboratory experiments and critical analysis of data.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Lecture exams and quizzes, with both subjective and objective components, testing comprehension and requiring synthesis and application of course material. Evaluation based on percent correct and rubric.
  2. Lab exams and quizzes, including subjective, objective and practical components, covering experimental concepts and procedures. Evaluation based on percent correct and rubric.
  3. Lecture and laboratory finals requiring students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze concepts examined throughout the course. Evaluation based on percent correct and rubric.
  4. Evaluation of lab reports or similar assignments demonstrating comprehension and application of the theoretical basis for experimental methods, and the correct analysis and interpretation of experimental results.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Laboratory room with equipment for cellular and molecular biology (room SC2118 or equivalent)

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Urry, L.A., et al, "Campbell Biology," 11th ed. Menlo Park, CA: Pearson Education, 2017.
*Course syllabus and laboratory manual as prepared by instructor.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Alberts, Bruce et al, "Molecular Biology of the Cell", 5th ed.. New York: Garland Science; 2007.
Berg, J.M. et al, "Biochemistry", 7th ed. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company; 2010.
Lodish, H. et al, "Molecular Cell Biology", 7th ed. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company; 2012.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Describe basic themes in the study of cell biology.
  • Explain the relationship between chemical properties and cell structures.
  • Compare and contrast the structures of cells from various kingdoms.
  • Investigate the structure and function of cell membranes.
  • Compare and contrast energy-processing pathways in cells, including respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis.
  • Analyze critically the role the DNA technology plays in the advancement of biological knowledge.
  • Explain the molecular mechanisms of gene expression.
  • Investigate the effects of meiosis and recombination on genomes.
  • Compare and contrast various modes of Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics.
  • Analyze critically the role that the molecular control of cell proliferation and differentiation plays in development and health.

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate molecular biology techniques to answer research questions and to interpret and explain the results.

Outline

  1. Describe basic themes in the study of cell biology.
    1. The cell as the basic unit of life
    2. Correlation of molecular and cellular structures with specific functions
    3. Evolution: the inheritance and adaptive value of variations in molecular and cellular structures
  2. Explain the relationship between chemical properties and cell structures.
    1. Atoms, molecules, and chemical bonds
    2. Water
    3. Organic chemistry
    4. Macromolecules
  3. Compare and contrast the structures of cells from various kingdoms.
    1. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
    2. Cell structure
  4. Investigate the structure and function of cell membranes.
    1. Membrane structure: phospholipid bilayer and fluid mosaic
    2. How things get into and out of cells
    3. Diffusion, osmosis, and concentration gradients
    4. Cell junctions and extracellular matrix
  5. Compare and contrast energy-processing pathways in cells, including respiration, fermentation, and photosynthesis.
    1. Introduction to metabolism
    2. Respiration
    3. Fermentation
    4. Photosynthesis
  6. Analyze critically the role the DNA technology plays in the advancement of biological knowledge.
    1. Binary fission in prokaryotes
    2. Eukaryotic cell cycle and mitosis
    3. Cell cycle control
    4. Biology of Cancer
    5. Apoptosis
  7. Explain the molecular mechanisms of gene expression.
    1. DNA structure and function
    2. Gene structure
    3. Transcription
    4. Translation
    5. Protein modification
    6. Mutations
    7. Retroviruses
    8. Control of gene expression
    9. DNA replication
  8. Investigate the effects of meiosis and recombination on genomes.
    1. Sexual life cycles and recombination
    2. Meiosis
    3. Mechanisms that create genetic variation
  9. Compare and contrast various modes of Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics.
    1. Experimental genetics and Mendel's principles
    2. Phenotype and genotype
    3. Genetic Disorders
    4. Gene Mapping
  10. Analyze critically the role that the molecular control of cell proliferation and differentiation plays in development and health.
    1. Polymerase chain reaction
    2. Gene cloning and biotechnology

Lab Topics

  1. Protein Electrophoresis
  2. Bacterial Conjugation
  3. DNA restriction digests and electrophoresis
  4. Polymerase chain reaction
  5. Control of bacterial gene expression
  6. Bacteriophage biology
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