MolBio 3HH3

Organization of the Cytoplasm

January 2012

Mol Bio 3HH3 ORGANIZATION OF THE CYTOPLASM Term II, Winter 2012
Instructor: Bhagwati Gupta (LSB-531, guptab@mcmaster.ca) Instructional Assistant: Alison Cowie (BSB201A, cowieal@mcmaster.ca) IA Office Hours: 09:00-11:00 everyday Lectures: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 10:20am in TSH/120 Course Objectives: A detailed examination of the molecular organization and function of cytoplasmic and membrane structures in eukaryotic cells, with particular emphasis on mechanisms that control cell communication, cell shape and polarity, and tissue morphology. Tutorials: Groups will present and discuss research articles related to the course material and lectures. The experimental data and conclusions will be critically analyzed. This should give a feeling of real world research and writing scientific papers. Please feel free to discuss other studyrelated issues in tutorial classes. Prerequisites: Biology 2B03 Tentative Lecture Outline: Topics Course introduction, Overview of cells and tissue morphologies The cytoskeletal system Motor proteins, Cilia and Flagella, Motor proteins in muscle contractions Cell junction, Cell adhesion, and Extracellular Matrix Cell polarity, asymmetry, locomotion Cell communication and cell signaling, Overview of various signal transduction pathways, RTK and Wnt pathways Readings: Molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts et al. (5th ed., 2008) is required. In addition, Molecular Cell Biology (6th ed., 2007) by Lodish et al. can also be used as asupplementary book. You can download my PowerPoint lecture slides from the Avenue2Learn. Additional courserelated information and supplementary reading materials are available at the following website, http://worms.mcmaster.ca/~bpg/3HH3/ Please remember that lecture slides are not descriptive and will only serve as a reference. Your active participation will be necessary to understand the subject. Please do not ask for the lecturers notes.

MolBio 3HH3

Organization of the Cytoplasm

January 2012

Evaluation: Your final grade will be determined from the following approximate mark distribution: Tutorials (6 research papers): 10% for presentation, 5 x 1% for questions. Quizzes (3 x 15 marks each): TBA Final: (organized by the Registrars office) Total What will be covered? Quizzes (materials between the previous quiz and the last class lecture) Final (the entire course) Requests for relief for missed academic term work Students may report absences lasting up to 5 days by using the McMaster Student Absence Form (MSAF) on-line, self-reporting tool, in order to request relief for missed academic work. Students may use this tool to submit a maximum of one request for relief of missed academic work per term. **Course is Mol Bio 3HH3, instructor contact: Alison Cowie, cowieal@mcmaster.ca** Immediately after using the online tool, students MUST contact Alison Cowie (cowieal@mcmaster.ca) regarding the nature of the accommodation. Failure to do so may negate the opportunity for relief. There will be NO make-up test by default. If you are absent from a test then the weight of the missed test(s) will be added to the final examination. Unusual circumstances will be handled on case-by-case basis. Academic Integrity: Academic dishonesty consists of misrepresentation by deception or by other fraudulent means and can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: "Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty"), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university. You should visit the following McMaster website for details on the policy of University along with few quizzes and a video. http://www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity/students/index.htm Course Management Policy: The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes. 15 45 40 100