Most learning units of this course assume that you already bring knowledge of some fields with you. You would typically learn such material in a prerequisite university course, or similar – knowledge that we often rreuire to enter into one of the life-science Programs of Study at the University. If you have not taken a course on these topics before, or if you don’t remember well what that was about, then do seek out this knowledge from elsewhere, at your own initiative. There are many possibilities to do so, but do not take this lightly: new information is learned most effectively if it has context, and can be connected to a framework of things you already know.
This prior knowledge is assumed both for the contents of a learning unit, as well as for its evaluation (where applicable). The specific preparations are listed at the top of each unit. On this page here, all preparations are collected, for convenience and to make the scope of preparations visible.
Inquiry:
The scientific method; Evidence based
reasoning; How to design, execute and document an experiment;
Conjecture, hypothesis and theory.
Writing:
Basic essay and report writing skills.
How to format submitted materials; How to quote; How to cite.
Calculus:
Functions and equations; Polynomial
functions, logarithms, trigonometric functions; Integrals and
derivatives; Theorem and proof.
Geometry:
Length, area, volume; Euclidian and
non-Euclidian space.
Probability:
Event; Probability; Hypothesis and
significance.
Properties of atoms:
The periodic system;
Covalent and non-covalent interactions; Naming molecules.
Properties of molecules:
Molecular structure;
The hydrophobic effect; Stereochemistry; Steric complementarity as the
foundation of molecular function.
Physical chemistry:
Kinetics, transition states,
and equilibria; Enthalpy, entropy, and free energy; Boltzmann’s law.
Biomolecules:
The molecules of life; The genetic
code; Nucleic acids; Amino acids; Protein folding; Post-translational
modifications and protein biochemistry; Membrane proteins; Biological
function.
Metabolism:
Enzymatic catalysis and control;
Reaction sequences and pathways; Catabolic- and anabolic pathways;
Chemiosmotic coupling.
Organelles:
Compartmentalization; Organelles and
structures of the cell; The extracellular matrix.
The Central Dogma:
Regulation of transcription
and translation; Protein biosynthesis and degradation; Quality
control.
Cell cycle:
Replication control and mechanism;
Phases of the cell-cycle; Checkpoints and apoptosis.
Evolution:
Theory of evolution; Variation,
neutral drift and selection.
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