From Molecule to Cell: The App

The course “From Molecule to Cell in APP” aims to provide first-year students with the basic concepts of biology necessary to take the biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology courses in subsequent semesters. The structure of biomolecules (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and sugars) and the structural organization of the cell will be explored in detail to help students understand the origin of life and the organization of viruses, as well as prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

The curriculum for this course unit will be organized as follows:

• 6 tutoring sessions, 3 hours each 
• 6 3-hour practical sessions
• 3 Scientific Conferences

• Understanding the Concept of the Cell (the Smallest Unit of Life)
• Identify and compare the different types of cells: prokaryotic and eukaryotic (animal and plant)
• Be able to identify and classify different molecules based on their structure
• Understand the nature of the bonds that make up biomolecules
• Understanding how different types of molecules interact with one another
• Understand the basic structure of biological membranes
• Understanding the Different Types of Membrane Transporters
• Understand the various junctions and adhesion molecules, their functions, and their locations
• Understanding the different types of extracellular matrices
• Be able to identify the different types of organelles, their functions, and their locations within the cell
• Identifying an organelle based on its structure using TEM or SEM
• Understand the three types of cytoskeletal structures
• Understand their cellular locations and functions
• Apply basic concepts of biology and microscopy to address a simple problem in the field or analyze a micrograph.
• How to Use a Photonic Microscope
• Prepare a simple cytological/histological specimen
• Performing a Simple Cytological/Histological Staining
• Performing a Gram stain
• Draw a labeled diagram of a microscopic observation, maintaining the correct proportions of the various cellular components
• Take size measurements using a magnifying glass or a scale bar
• Draw a scale on a drawing or a micrograph
• Distinguishing Between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
• Identifying an animal cell and a plant cell
• Follow the health and safety rules for a lab

100% Continuous Assessment

Recommended prerequisites*:

A background in biology (from the science track in the senior year of high school) is recommended.