Molecular and cell biology
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Cells are the basic units of life. Cell biology seeks to understand not just the processes that are common to all life forms, but also the ways in which cells control their division and differentiate to form specialised tissues. This course builds from a foundation of molecular biology, with emphasis on animal cell biology. It explores how cells function and considers processes such as cell differentiation, ageing and tumorigenesis. It also develops skills in reading and understanding scientific literature and the handling of experimental data.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S377 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
This course occupies a central position in the Level 3 biology curriculum. Students from the health sciences or molecular science programmes will find the course equally relevant and interesting, but more challenging.
Specialisation and cell/cell communication are key elements in the development of the great range of multi-cellular organisms. In this course we relate the complex processes of life to the underlying molecular biology, since the functions of tissues ultimately depend on the genome of the organism and how it is expressed in different cell types. The course includes some material on plants and micro-organisms, but concentrates primarily on animal cells. The narrative progresses from molecular biology, through cell function, towards an understanding of processes important for biomedical science, such as cell ageing and tumorigenesis.
Book 1 is concerned with biological molecules and the ways in which they contribute to cell structure and organisation, and finally to their functions within the cell. For this book, a prior knowledge of basic chemical processes will help your understanding and accelerate learning.
Books 2 and 3 are the major component of the course and deal with many fundamental biological processes at the cellular level, including: DNA replication and repair; control of cell division; the expression of individual genes and how this is controlled and coordinated; the ways in which different processes are compartmentalised within a cell; the movement of molecules between different compartments; intracellular signalling pathways and how these are linked to extracellular signals; mechanisms that lead to cell death.
Book 4 looks at how the basic cell biology explains some types of more complex cellular behaviour. Cell migration is important in allowing cells to position themselves during development, but also underlies inflammation and repair. Differentiation is examined both in broad principle and in the context of specific organisms and tissues. Another section looks at cell ageing and senescence, asking why and how cells age and die. The final section takes tumour development as its theme, and relates it to DNA repair, the cell cycle, cell signalling, gene expression and other processes which have arisen earlier in the course.
The course will progressively develop your skills in reading and understanding the scientific literature. You should also appreciate that our knowledge of even the most complex cellular functions is based on observation and experiment. To give some experience of this, we have included an experimental strand, which will allow you to carry out virtual experiments, of the kind that would be used to investigate how cells work. You will also have the opportunity to use a molecular modelling software package to study and manipulate proteins and nucleic acids.
We strongly advise that you read the entry advice before registering for this course.
Associated residential school
The 15-credit residential school courses Plants, pigments and light (SXR375) and Molecular basis of human disease (SXR376) offer tuition and activities that support the academic aims of this course, and it would be particularly appropriate to take one of those and S377 in the same year.
If you decide to attend the residential school, you must register for it separately, for which an additional fee is payable.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from previous studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended only for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject.
For the Life Sciences Programme we recommend that you study Exploring science (S104) and Biology: uniformity and diversity (S204) before tackling S377.
If you have followed the human science strand of our curriculum (Human biology (SK277) and Biological psychology: exploring the brain (SD226) , or come to S377 from the Molecular Sciences Programme, you will find the course equally relevant and interesting, but more challenging. If this is the case, it is recommended that you buy S204 Book 3, The Core of Life, prior to starting S377 (see below).
As a Level 3 course on a rapidly expanding subject, S377 is likely to present a challenge to its students in terms of the amount of information included in the course. The first book in S377 is more ‘chemical’ while the last three books are more ‘biological’. If you’re from a chemical background, you may find the biological content of the course demanding, while if you’re from a biological background, you may find the groundwork chemistry in Book 1 more challenging. It is thus essential that you establish whether or not your background and experience give you a sound basis on which to tackle the course, since those who are appropriately prepared have the best chance of completing their studies successfully. The Science Faculty has produced a booklet Are You Ready For S377? to help you to decide whether you already have the recommended background knowledge or experience to start the course or whether you need a little extra preparation. This can be viewed as an interactive program for PC or printed as a PDF from the Are you ready for science? website.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
If you have already studied Biology: uniformity and diversity (S204) (now discontinued), you are well equipped to undertake S377. Book 3 of S204 ‘The core of life’ contains second-level cell biology that is the foundation for S377, so you might want to revise that book before you start this course. In particular:
- chapters 1–3 are a good preparation for Book 1 of S377
- chapters 8 and 9 contain material relevant to Book 2
- chapters 6 and 10 are relevant to Book 3
- chapters 7 and 10 are related to Book 4.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The study materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer and the internet. Please note that this course makes substantial use of complex visual material and includes a number of interactive exercises on DVD.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting your needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Course books with study guides, other printed materials; DVD, a website.
You will need
In addition to a calculator and a computer, you will need a scanner or digital camera in order to produce jpeg files of drawings and diagrams to include in your assignments. The alternative is to use a computer drawing package.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with the Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2013 when it will be available for the last time.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Science.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | S377 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
Well, I passed this course but I really wasn't at all confident that I would. I had to work extremely ...
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A fascinating course that really goes into the details of how cells work. I mean, everyone has probably seen videos ...
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Your questions
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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