Welcome to MOL 215

Quantitative Principles in Cell and Molecular Biology

Lecture: M, W, F 11:00 - 11:50am meets in Icahn Lab 101

Lab 01: M 1:30 - 4:20pm class meets in LTL 005

Lab 02: T 1:30 - 4:20pm class meets in LTL 005

Lab 03: W 1:30 - 4:20pm class meets in LTL 005

Lab 04: Th 1:30 - 4:20pm class meets in LTL 005

Central concepts and experiments in cellular, molecular, and developmental biology with an emphasis on underlying physical and engineering principles. Topics include important insights into the genetic code; energetics and cellular organization: communication between cells; ideas about feedback loops and cellular organization; problems and solutions in development; and the organization of large cellular systems, such as the nervous system. Satisfies the requirement for entrance into the Department and the requirement for entrance into medical school.

MOL 215: A Reader's Guide.

The course is structured in the following way: First, we will be covering the essential elements of an introductory biology course in molecular, cell, and developmental biology. In the lectures and laboratory we will develop some of the key principles underlying the biology: how we build the appropriate apparatus; how we make quantitative measurements of cell motion; how we can distinguish random from directed or biased motion; the kinetics and thermodynamics of cellular systems and structures; the logic of regulatory circuits; how diffusion both limits and aids patterning on a cellular and multicellular level; and the central and essential role that experiments play in the development of molecular biology. The main idea is to get beneath the facts of biology, reducing the sheer amount of memorization, while seeking some of the universal logic of biological systems, often a logic well known in other disciplines. Many of these ways of thinking are more quantitative than you may be used to in biology. The derivation and implications of the diffusion equation is one such example, and the origins of order in the embryo from a mathematical point of view is another.

Course Materials.

The reading is of two kinds, text-book and original papers. Although we assign reading in the text, the text is chiefly a resource to make sure you understand the lectures. The papers will be covered in some detail in the class. Most of them are classics in their field. How to read them, what to look for and what to ignore will become clear as we move along. The detailed syllabus may be found on Blackboard under “Syllabus” (not surprisingly).

Text Book

Essential Cell Biology, Third Edition.

Alberts, Bray, Hopkin, Johnson, Lewis, Raff, Roberts, Walter, 2009, Garland Science, NY, NY.

Power Point

These are posted for each lecture a day or so before the class.

Papers

Consult the syllabus.  Papers are on Blackboard and can usually be downloaded as pdf files a few days before they are covered in class.

Laboratory

Posted on Blackboard before the class under “Lab Schedule & manuals”.

MIDTERM 1 -Oct 14 (see midterm 2 for grade weighting)

MIDTERM 2 -Nov 18(sum of midterm grades is 35% of Grade)

FINAL EXAM TBD (35% of Grade): 

LAB  (30% of Grade)


If you have a valid conflict on the date of a midterm exam, you can arrange to take it the day before or after the scheduled date. You must make this arrangement with Dr. Felton at least three days before the date of the exam.