Course Description:

This is the second half of a semester-long capstone course in biochemistry.  For the remainder of the semester, you will be exploring the current literature published on transcription and its regulation in the E. coli model system.   There is no textbook, as the course is based entirely upon primary research articles from peer-reviewed journals.  The articles I have chosen should give you a good review of our current understanding of transcription in E. coli, as well as a good sampling of cutting edge molecular biology techniques used to probe the molecular mechanisms of transcription.  The class is almost entirely student-run, consisting mostly of student presentations of the papers, and student-lead discussions.

Course Goals:

By the end of the course, you should be able to:

1. Describe in molecular detail the mechanism of transcription as well as its regulation in E. coli.
2. Understand and interpret data reported in the current literature, and understand how this data is used to build a model to describe what is happening in the system.
3. Effectively communicate work reported in current literature in an oral presentation.
4. Demonstrate self-directed learning in molecular biology and biochemistry by reading and understanding peer-reviewed articles from the primary literature, and participating in the class discussions.

Assessment:

The following are designed to test and ensure consistent progress on all four of the stated learning goals:

1. Participation in class discussions (10%).
2. Quizzes given at the end of each student presentation (50%).
3. Oral Presentation (15%).
4. Final exam (25%).

Grading scale:            

A	93-100	B+	87-89	C+	77-79	D+	67-69
A-	90-92	B	83-86	C	73-76	D	63-66	F < 60
		B-	80-82	C-	70-72	D-	60-62

Your Responsibilities:

a. What specific question does the paper address?

b. What approach did the researchers take to answer the question?  In this part of the talk, you need to take the class through all of the results, figure-by-figure, and explain what specific experiment was done, and what the data tells us.

c.What do the researchers conclude from the data?  What new model has been proposed?

2.  To attend and participate in every class session – When you are not presenting, you should be contributing to the class discussion.  This means that you should have already read the paper before class, and should be prepared to discuss the material and ask any questions you might have.  Your attendance and understanding of the material will be directly assessed through your performance on the in-class quizzes. If for a valid reason you cannot attend a scheduled class or the exam, you must contact me at least a week in advance.  If you are sick or it is an emergency, contact me or leave a message on my voicemail before the class or exam begins and provide written documentation with your excuse as soon as possible. 

Students with Disabilities:

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case-by-case basis.  Students must register with the Office of Academic Support Services (607-274-1005, TDD 607-274-7319, acssd@ithaca.edu) and schedule an appointment with their instructors as soon as possible to discuss their needs.

Class Schedule:

*All the papers can be downloaded from Blackboard

*The final exam will be held on Monday May11, at 4:30 PM in Williams 119