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Molecular Biology & Biochemistry 694:408/115:512 Spring Semester

Tuesdays and Fridays,
10:20-11:40 AM
SEC111, Busch

  Name Phone Office Hours Office
Coordinator:
 Dr. Steve Brill   By appt.  
Instructors:
 Dr. Sam Gunderson 445-1016 By appt. A322 Nelson
Dr. Steve Brill 235-4197 By appt. 304 CABM
  Dr. Thomas Kusch 445-6895 By appt. A123 Nelson
Pre-requisites
 694:407 (preferred), 694:301, 115:301, or 115:403

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry 694:407-408 is offered as the primary lecture courses for undergraduate students in the Molecular Biology and Biochemistry major, as well as for non-majors who wish to enroll in a contemporary, comprehensive two-semester course in these rapidly developing disciplines. Biochemistry 115:511-512 mainly serves graduate students in Graduate Programs other than Molecular Biosciences. Topics in the 408/512 course include recombinant DNA approaches, DNA replication, repair and recombination, mobile genetic elements, transcription and gene regulation, RNA processing and splicing, and translation.

Below is a tentative syllabus for the course. A final syllabus and all handouts and information will be posted on the Sakai site for the course.

# Day Topic (links to lecture handouts) Instructor Chapter in Watson et al. Ed 5 Chapter in Watson et al. Ed 6
1 Tues. Structures of DNA and RNA Dr. Brill 6: 97-111;
1: 19-31;
6: 129-136

6: 101-116;
1: 19-32;
6: 117-126
2 Fri. Bacterial DNA Replication I   Ch8; 4:64-67 Ch8: 4:66-69
3 Tues. Bacterial DNA Replication II   Ch8 Ch8
4 Fri. Eukaryotic DNA Replication I   Ch8 Ch8
5 Tues. Eukaryotic DNA Replication II   7: 151-165;
6: 111-122		 7: 157-174;
6: 117-126
  Fri. Exam I (Covers Lectures 1-5)
See exam rules below 		 


 
6 Tues. Recombinant DNA I

18: pp 575-576;
20: pp 644-667;
21: pp 682-692

19: 661-662;
21: 739-764;
22: 783-794
7 Fri. Recombinant DNA II      
8 Tues. DNA Mutability, Outline Terms   1: pp 15-17;
6: pp 98-102;
8, pp 184-192;
9, pp. 236-238. 		1: pp 15-17;
6: pp 102-107;
8, pp 198-209;
9, pp. 258-260.
9 Fri. DNA Repair   9: pp 235-257 9: pp 257-281
10 Tues. DNA Recombination
  1: pp 6-13;
9: pp 253-254;
10: pp 259-284;
10: pp 288-291;
11: pp 337-341. 		1: 6-13;
9: 275-278;
10: 283-310;
10: 314-317;
11: 365-369.
11 Fri. DNA Transposition
 

11: 293-295;
11: 305-307;
11: 310-330;
11: 334-337

 11: 319-321;
11: 331-359;
11: 362-365.
  Tues. Exam II (Covers Lectures 6-11)

     
12 Fri Transcription -Basic Processes
 Dr. Kusch 12: 344-363 12: 372-396
13 Tues. Transcriptional Regulation in Bacteria   16: 480-527
5: 81-91		 16: 542-587
5: 82-94
14 Fri Transcriptional Regulation in Bacteria   16: 480-527
 16: 542-587
18: 633-640
  Tues. Spring Break      
Fri. Spring Break
15 Tues. Transcription in Eukaryotes   7: 151-175
12: 363-377 		7: 157-187
12: 396-414
16 Fri. Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes
  17: 529-563 17:589-632
17 Tues. Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes   17: 529-563 17: 589-632
18 Fri.

Transcriptional Regulation in Eukaryotes

     
  Tues. Exam III (Covers Lectures 12-18)    
19 Fri. Post-transcriptional Control: Splicing & Polyadenylation Dr. Gunderson 13‡ 13, 18‡
20 Tues

Post-transcriptional Control: Splicing & Polyadenylation (cont.)

  13‡ 13, 18‡
21 Fri. Post-transcriptional Control: Splicing & Polyadenylation (cont.)   13‡ 13, 18‡
22 Tues.

RNA World, Ribozymes, RNA Splicing

  13‡ 13, 18‡
23 Fri.

Control of mRNA Translation, Stability, Localization

   14 14
24 Tues.

Translation: Bacterial & Eukaryotic

  14, 15 ‡ 14, 15 ‡
25 Fri Translation: Bacterial & Eukaryotic      
    Review Session      
  Exam IV (Covers Lectures 19-25)
 

Required Text:
Watson, J.D., et al. (2008) Molecular Biology of the Gene, 6th Ed., Benjamin Cummings. (ISBN: 0-8053-9592-X)
-or-
Watson, J.D., et al. (2004) Molecular Biology of the Gene, 5th Ed., Benjamin Cummings. (ISBN: 0-8053-4635-X)
‡Supplementary readings will be provided and posted on the Sakai site for the course.

Exams: Hourly examinations will be given at the end of each series of lectures on the indicated dates during regular class hours; the first three will be given in assigned seats in the SERC 111 classroom. The fourth hourly examination is scheduled for during the final exam period, in a room to be announced -- there will be no cumulative final exam.  All exams are closed book. Students will not be permitted to have bags, phones or papers by their seats. Students are expected to follow the Rutgers Academic Integrity Code. Students caught cheating will get a zero for the exam and the Dean's office will be notified. All four examinations will be averaged and weighted equally in assigning final grades.

Requests for corrections of exam grading will only be considered within a week after exam papers have been returned.  Students who are unable to take an hourly exam at the scheduled time because of compelling reasons supported by documentation, such as a note from their Physician, may be permitted to take a make-up examination. It should be realized that Professors will have discretion in penalizing make-up tests. Arrangements should be made with Prof. Brill.

Last modified 12/5/09. Contact Dr. Vershon if you are having problems with the site