MBI-3012 Advanced methods in experimental biomedicine - 30 stp

The course includes training in relevant methods and techniques for biomedical research such as:

• cell culturing (including work with eucaryotic cells, and bacteria)
• advanced methods for detection, expression and quantification of DNA, RNA and proteins
• flow cytometry
• immune histochemistry/immune fluorescence
• advanced light microscopy
• electron microscopy
• molecular modelling
• inhibition kinetics
• assessment of mitochondrial respiration

Students will also be acquainted with other methods used at our core facilities, and the research groups at the department. In each exercise, the students will also learn to do relevant safety evaluations related to the methods employed.

As part of MBI-3012 student must complete the iKomp (information literacy) course, which give training in academic writing, referencing and citing.

Students will also be introduced to innovative thinking, and innovation in biomedicine.

The course further includes an intensive safety course for students and employees at UiT (HMS-0500 Safety course). This course will provide general safety skills relevant to lab work. Mandatory parts of the HMS-0500 course are:

• Environment Health and Safety work (EHS work)
• biological substances
• use of gloves
• allergy
• liquid nitrogen
• gas under pressure.

During the master thesis, the students will be introduced to a limited number of techniques and methods. To prepare the students for their master degree project as well as biomedical research work after the master degree, the present course introduces students to a wide range of much used classical and modern basic laboratory methods in biomedical research.  

After the course, the students should be able to:  

Knowledge

• explain the theory of given methods and techniques
• explain the selected methods/techniques with emphasis on their usefulness and limitations in biomedical research
• identify and discuss common issues related to methods/techniques used in biomedical research
• apply acquired knowledge in new areas within biomedicine

Skills

• perform the given methods and discuss the results obtained
• write reports including a proper discussion of results obtained
• design and execute controlled experiments to address given/relevant research questions

General proficiency

• analyze and discuss ethical issues connected to research methods in biomedicine
• communicate own scientific work both orally and in writing, using the relevant scientific language
• contribute to innovation processes in biomedicine

This course consist of a safety course (HMS-0500), a course in information literacy (iKomp), lectures, groupwork on innovation and innovative thinking, and several practical laboratory exercises. Each laboratory exercise is introduced by lectures, followed by individual- or group exercises.

Teaching methods in the course varies and includes online lectures, regular lectures, seminars, group work, laboratory work, report writing, presentations and discussions.

Assessment:

This course has a portfolio examination. As part of the coursework requirements, students hand in 3 labreports. These 3 labreports count towards 50% of the final grade for the course. As part of the portfolio examination, you will also have a written exam of 4 hours that counts for the remaining 50 % of the final grade.

Students will be evaluated with alphabetical grades (A-F).

Students will receive supervision and feedback on all three reports during the writing process. Students will hand in the laboratory reports continuously after the lab exercises are finished.

In order to start work on the Master's thesis, students must have passed MBI-3012 Advanced methods in experimental biomedicine.

Re-sit exam

Candidates who fail will be able to re-sit the exam the following semester.

If a candidate fails the re-sit exam, the candidate must follow the entire course the following year.

The following coursework requirements must be completed in order to attend the written 4h exam:

• approved safety course (HMS-0500)
• approved information literacy course - iKomp
• attendance in all sections of the laboratory exercises, including introductory lectures to the laboratory exercises
• handing in 3 labreports by set deadlines
• completion of all MCQ-tests that are arranged during the semester
• Groupwork and oral presentation of groupwork on innovation

Students must be prepared for full day activities throughout the semester.

If unauthorized absence is higher than 20% in any of the exercises, the students must repeat the entire course next time the course runs.