This Course Guide has been taken from the most recent presentation of the course. It would be useful for reference purposes but please note that there may be updates for the following presentation.
BIOL S303
Molecular Biology and Microbiology
BIOL S303 Molecular Biology and Microbiology is a one-semester, five-credit, higher-level undergraduate core course. This course is one of the courses for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science (Biology and Chemistry). The course assumes an elementary knowledge of biology which can be adequately acquired from BIOL S205 The Core of Life, an advisory prerequisite of BIOL S303 Molecular Biology and Microbiology.
The aim of this course is to delineate the basic principles of molecular biology and microbiology for students. The course is very diverse, including a scientific study of microorganisms, also called microbes, and the study of genes and activities at the molecular level. The best way to start this study of molecular biology and microbiology is to first introduce you to the biological properties of cells, proteins and genes, which are important substances of diverse microbes — this will be covered in the first part of the course. Next we will introduce you to the special metabolism, genetic base, pathogenic property and beneficial application of these cells, such as in food preparation and environmental protection. In addition, this course will help you to learn about the powerful and rapidly growing area of genetic engineering, specifically a process that deliberately alters the genetic makeup of organisms to create novel substances and develop organisms with unique methods of synthesis and adaptation. Finally, in the last part of the course, we will introduce you to techniques built on genetic engineering that enable us to exploit microorganisms using biotechnology. By the end of this course we hope that you will have cultivated an interest and subset of knowledge that enables you to continue to learn independently about this fascinating field of study.
BIOL S303 will be delivered through a blend of different learning modes. This means that as well as the material you will read in the printed study units and the set textbook, there will also be a strong emphasis on supplementary online content, most of which can be found on the website which accompanies the course textbook. This website has a variety of interactive animations and quizzes which can greatly enhance your understanding of the principle concepts introduced in the course. In addition, you will be expected to attend practical laboratory sessions and tutorials. Thus, in BIOL S303, you will have the opportunity to expand your learning experience with not just printed materials, but also online support and face-to-face interaction.
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
Course learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
The following table gives a general overview of the course structure. It suggests the amount of time you should allow for completing units and provides a broad schedule for you to plan your work. These times are intended as a guide only and should be adjusted to fit your personal needs more closely.
| Unit | Title | Study time (weeks) | Assignment (end of units) |
| 1 | Cellular structure and function | 3 | |
| 2 | Microbial growth and the principle of microbial metabolism | 3 | Assignment 1 |
| 3 | Microbial genetics | 3 | |
| 4 | Genetic engineering and molecular techniques | 3 | Assignment 2 |
| 5 | Food and environmental microbiology and pathogenic microbes | 3 | Assignment 3 |
| Revision | 1 | ||
| Total | 16 |
The course materials include this Course Guide, five study units, an Assignment File and other useful materials listed below.
Materials
In addition to this Course Guide, the course has the following important components. Please ensure that you have all of these materials.
Study units
The five study units in this course are:
Please be aware that to achieve the desired learning outcomes for each of these units, you are encouraged to do the following:
Unit 1 introduces you to the fact that nearly all biological events involve atoms, molecules, reactions and bonding. For those of you with a basic biology and chemistry background, the contents of this unit will enhance your insight into microbial structure and function. Unit 1 mainly focuses on the four classes of macromolecules: polysaccharides, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Within this context, this unit will describe the architecture of biological macromolecules and how the various macromolecules can contribute to a diverse array of cellular functions that occur within living organisms. Microbes will be used as an example to illustrate cell structure and function in the latter part of the unit.
Unit 2 describes how microbiology impacts virtually every aspect of life on Earth and specifically the role of microbes in natural environments. In this unit we will take a closer look at the adaptability of microbes in the light of nutrition, response to environmental factors and growth. Those biological functions require a series of metabolic reactions with enzymes, which are specific proteins that perform key roles in most of these reactions. As such, we will discuss some major characteristics of metabolism, enzymes, the flow of energy and the pathways that govern nutrients processing. Having this knowledge will greatly benefit your understanding of future topics, such as genetics, drug therapy, biotechnology and infectious diseases.
Unit 3 will explore the unique structure and functions of DNA and how it can be copied, how its message is translated into useful cell products, how it can be controlled and its application in genetics. Special characteristics of microbial genes will be illustrated in the unit.
Unit 4 focuses on the application and manipulation of genes, which is based on an understanding of how microbes duplicate and exchange their genetic information. This revolution in molecular biology is termed genetic engineering and is becoming more efficient through the use of modern molecular techniques. Unit 4 will explore the ability of scientists to cut DNA or even reorder nucleotide sequences in order to create a new product. An overview of the genetic-engineering products and application of biotechnology in our daily lives will also be provided in this unit.
Unit 5 describes the applications of microbes in the food industry, such as in wine brewing, food preservation and sewage treatment. At the same time, some microbes are pathogens that can spoil food and infect human bodies to cause disease. Obviously, this single unit cannot cover this diverse and extensive sector of microbiology completely, but Unit 5 will delve into some of the most important beneficial applications, such as the prevention of food spoilage, and leading causes of pathogenic microbes.
Set textbook
You are required to purchase the following set textbook:
Madigan, M T, Martinko, J M, Dunlap, P V and Clark, D P (2015) Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 14th edn, San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
Web resources
When you buy the set textbook you will obtain an access code to an accompanying website: Brock Biology of Microorganisms. You will be referred to this website regularly throughout the course to complete online practice tests and quizzes and to view animations which will support your understanding of course concepts. To register for and log in to the textbook website go to:
https://www.masteringmicrobiology.com/site/index.html
After you register, enter your username and password, and then click Sign in. Go to the 'Study Area'.
You will be directed to the textbook website practice tests, quizzes and animations at key points in each unit.
The animations in particular will assist you in achieving an understanding of the concepts covered in the course. It is strongly suggested that you take notes while watching these animations, as this will help you to understand and remember what you have watched.
Assignment File
The Assignment File, available on the Online Learning Environment (OLE), provides you with guidelines for working on your assignments. You can refer to the Course Guide section 'Assessment' that follows, and to the Assignment File itself for more information.
Presentation Schedule
The Presentation Schedule (available on the OLE) gives the dates for completing assignments, attending tutorials and surgeries, and so on.
Supplementary readings
Selected books
The following are recommended reference books for the course:
Selected websites
The following recommended websites provide complementary reference sources for the course:
Equipment needed for supplementary media
You need to have at least the following equipment for the course.
Hardware
Minimum configuration:
Software
Assessment
There is informal and formal assessment in this course. The informal assessment includes self-assessed Web-based activities and self-tests stipulated in each unit. The formal assessment includes assignments and a final examination. Assignments must be submitted to your tutor for formal assessment according to the stated deadlines. The non-assessed activities are not part of your formal assessment, but it is very important that you complete all these activities as you work through the units.
In addition to reading the study units, you are required to attend two laboratory day school sessions designed for the course. The outlines for and rationales behind these laboratory sessions will be stated in the course materials. The various deadlines for the submission of the assignments and the dates for attending tutorials and laboratory sessions will be put in the course materials accordingly.
The course uses assignments and a final examination as the means of assessing student performance. Assignments serve as the overall continuous assessment score (OCAS) during the study period and account for 50% of the overall course score (OCS). A final examination to be conducted at the end of the course accounts for the other 50% of the OCS. To pass the course, you are required to obtain at least 40% or above on the OCAS and 40% or above in the overall exam score (OES) in the final examination.
Assignments
There are three assignments for the course, of which you are required to submit at least two. They are distributed evenly throughout the course. Assignment 1 covers Units 1–2, Assignment 2 covers Units 3–4 and comprises a lab report based on the two compulsory laboratory day school sessions, and Assignment 3 covers Unit 5. You can find the assignments in your Assignment File (available on the OLE) along with detailed instructions on how to complete them. You must submit all assignments to your tutor for marking.
Your assignment schedule can be found in the 'Course organization' section. These assignments will be marked by your tutor. Only the best two of your assignments will count and each is worth 25% of the final assessment, contributing 50% in total for the assignments.
Assignments submission extension policy
The assignment policy of the university as stated in the Student Handbook should be observed. You are required to submit assignments for this course in accordance with the dates communicated by your Course Coordinator. You may apply for a submission extension on the grounds of illness, accident, disability, bereavement or other compassionate circumstances.
Applications for extensions of up to seven days should be submitted to the tutor. The tutor shall consider valid and unexpected emergencies on an individual basis. Normally, documented proof of the extenuating circumstances is not required for extensions of up to seven days. The tutor shall decide and advise you of the revised date for submission.
For extensions of over seven days, you should note the following:
If the assignment is posted to the tutor, it is your responsibility to check that the assignment has successfully arrived (see the Assignment File). Extension applications without supporting documents on the grounds of postal loss will not be accepted. The university cannot accept any responsibility for assignments that are not received by your tutor due to problems with the post. As a precaution, you are advised to keep a copy of each assignment you submit and obtain a certificate of posting from the post office when you post your assignment.
According to the university's policy, there is no extension of the due date for the final assignment.
Final examination
At the end of the course, you are required to attend a final examination. The examination aims to test your thorough understanding in the topic areas covered in the course. The examination will be of three hours' duration. The total score of the examination paper contributes 50% of the overall course score (OCS). When preparing for the examination, you might find it useful to review your non-assessed activities, self-tests, and your assignments and your tutor's comments on them.
Course marking scheme
The course marking scheme is summarized in the following table. The assignments and final examination each account for 50% of the total course marks.
| Assessment | Course area covered | Weighting |
| Assignment 1 | Units 1–2 | Best two of three at 25% each = 50% of course marks |
| Assignment 2 (lab report) | Units 3–4 | |
| Assignment 3 | Unit 5 | |
| Final examination | All units | 50% of course marks |
| Total | 100% | |
There are five units in this course. The units direct you to work on activities related to the material covered, which can both help you gauge your progress and reinforce your understanding of the material covered in the unit. More importantly, these activities give examples to help you fully understand the concepts presented in the textbook, and can assist you in applying these concepts and techniques beyond the textbook. Together with the assignments, these activities will assist you in achieving the learning objectives of the individual units of the course.
Please note that the biggest temptation that students face, when they are short of time, is just to read the course materials. When they get to an activity or self-test, they flip straight ahead or to the back of the unit to look at the feedback or suggested answers. This saves time and students get to know the correct answers, so it is an effective way to learn, right? Wrong! Terribly wrong! Many contemporary educationists believe that learning is not a process that happens when people listen to a lecture or read a book passively. They think that learning takes place as people actively construct knowledge. Do not take a shortcut that compromises your learning. Attempt the activities and self-tests presented in the study units.
When done properly, working with fellow students on difficult learning activities or assignments can be beneficial. However, doing so without acknowledging the contributions of other students in your own work is plagiarism. It has happened that after enough cosmetic changes had been made, the act of cheating was not caught by the tutor marking the assignment. But in such a case, the student's learning suffers and this will show in the final examination.
Apart from self-study, support is provided to you in two ways: direct personal contact and through electronic means.
Support through direct personal contact
Support through direct personal contact includes telephone tutoring, surgeries, tutorials and day schools.
Details of the dates, times and locations of tutorials as well as the name, email address and phone number of your tutor will be sent to you in due course.
Your tutor will mark and comment on your assignments, keep an eye on your progress and assist you if you encounter problems during the course. Marked assignments will be returned to you as soon as possible.
It is good practice to keep a copy of each assignment submitted for marking, so that you can refer to queries during discussion with the tutor. Please contact your tutor should the following arise:
While you may think you are studying on your own, it doesn't need to be that way. You can be in regular contact with your tutor and, once you've met for the first tutorial, you can be in contact with other students in the course. Make a point when you meet other students to exchange phone numbers or email addresses. In this way, you will be well on the way to developing a learning network of your own.
Telephone tutoring
Each tutor will allocate four to six hours per week in order to answer your telephone calls.
Surgeries
As a supplement to telephone tutoring, the course includes surgery sessions that will be held every two or three weeks.
An on-duty tutor chairs each surgery. Each surgery aims to provide a face-to-face environment for consultation on individual students' study problem areas.
You may bring along questions on the study units and assignments when you consult the on-duty tutor.
Day schools
Two laboratory day school sessions will be provided to you. You are required to attend both of them. These will take the form of practical laboratory sessions and workshops. One of the course assignments will be based on the work done at these day schools.
Tutorials
There are five tutorial sessions in the course, totalling ten hours. They will involve a number of interactive learning activities, and will be organized to assist you in your learning process. Tutorials will be based on the major course units, and tutors may also introduce further explanations, examples and readings. Full details are given in the Presentation Schedule.
It is strongly recommended that you attend all these tutorials, which will provide considerable assistance in your study of this course. Compared to the classes attended by hundreds of students in a typical university, the tutorials with 30 students or so at HKMU provide a good opportunity for you to meet other distance learners on the course and get to know your tutor. You will find that support and encouragement from students and tutors is very helpful.
Attendance in tutorials is optional but you are urged to take advantage of them. You can get the most from tutorials by studying the relevant materials beforehand, making comments and asking questions. Remember that learning does not happen passively. Your active participation in tutorials is crucial.
Support through electronic means
You may use email to ask your assigned tutor about problems you encounter in your studies. This channel provides flexibility to both tutors and you by overcoming the limitations of telephone tutoring in solving more technical issues.
OLE
HKMU has developed an online delivery system, the Online Learning Environment (OLE), to facilitate learning for distance learning students like you. The OLE has a variety of features, such as discussion board, chat room, email, course calendar, course news, course materials, evaluation and online help.
BIOL S303 Molecular Biology and Microbiology is a one-semester, higher-level course designed to help you understand the important molecular biological principles and microbiology that surrounds us in our daily lives.
You will need to analyse the course materials, carefully study the assigned readings and supplementary Web-based activities and take the assigned self-tests to check your comprehension of the material. I am sure you will find BIOL S303 Molecular Biology and Microbiology an interesting course, and that more importantly, you will be able to use the knowledge you acquire from this course to continue to learn more about this fascinating field.
Dr Bernice Cheuk received her BSc First Honor Degree in Zoology from the University of Hong Kong and a PhD from the Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Since the early days of her undergraduate and postgraduate education, Dr Cheuk has persistently shown academic excellence in biological science, with remarkable success in scholarships and prizes. In the past, she worked as a project student in the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department and Government Laboratory, which enabled her to gain valuable applied scientific knowledge. Her teaching career began when she was the tutor of a Nursing class at Hong Kong Metropolitan University a few years ago. Dr Cheuk is also a reviewer of several international refereed journals and an invited presenter at regional and international conferences. Today, her postdoctoral work focuses on both clinical and scientific pathophysiological study of elderly diseases.
