autumn 2026
BIO-3037 Molecular Methods in Plant Biology - 10 ECTS

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Type of course

Master course for biology students. Mandatory for students specializing in Molecular Environmental Biology (prioritized). In addition to a bachelors degree in biology, admission requires a minimum of 10 ECTS in basic and practical molecular biology (BIO-2018 or equivalent) or documenting hands-on molecular lab experience through a bachelor thesis.

The course has a maximum capacity of 12 students.

The course is not available as a singular course.

Course content

The aim of this course is to give an introduction to basic molecular methods used in modern plant biological research. The course will give a basis for advanced research in different areas of biology. The students will study the effect of light to plant metabolism on DNA/RNA/protein level including epigenetic regulation of gene expression in plants. The laboratory is running for two weeks, and the results are discussed in plenum. The students will write individual laboratory reports which are evaluated. The lectures will be closely connected to the practical problems to be solved in the laboratory. Selected articles from the scientific curriculum are topics for seminar presented by the students. In the oral examination, the students will answer specific questions about the learning outcome of the course and the reports.

Objectives of the course

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of the course, the student:

  • has deep understanding on the theoretical principles of gene regulation, gene expression analyses and epigenetics
  • has deep understanding on the effect of light on plant metabolism
  • masters the critical consideration of scientific literature within the topics for the course and the critical assessment of own results

Skills

After completing the course, the student:

  • has good skills in isolation of RNA from plant samples
  • has good skills in gene expression analyses (qPCR)
  • has skills in protein extraction and enzyme activity measurement
  • masters written and oral scientific presentation of research objectives, methods and results and discussion

Competence

The student will get competence to:

  • experimental design for the gene/protein expression analysis
  • evaluation of methods and discussion of the results
  • understand the challenges for methodology selection for different plant materials

Language of instruction and examination

English

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars and laboratory work.

Information to incoming exchange students

This module is open for exchange students holding a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS. A minimum of 10 ECTS in basic and practical molecular biology (BIO-2018 or equivalent) or documenting hands-on molecular lab experience through a bachelor thesis.

Schedule

Se timeplan

Examination

Examination: Weighting: Duration: Grade scale:
Oral exam 5/10 30 Minutes A–E, fail F
Assignment 5/10 A–E, fail F

Coursework requirements:

To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements:
Participation in hands-on training and seminars Approved – not approved
Attendance to lectures Approved – not approved
Oral presentation Approved – not approved
UiT Exams homepage

More info about the coursework requirements

Attendance to lectures: 80%

Approved work requirements are valid for three years.

Re-sit examination

There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.

Which parts of the exam must be taken during a new ordinary exam attempt?

For a new regular exam attempt, you must retake all partial exams.
  • About the course
  • Campus: Tromsø |
  • ECTS: 10
  • Course code: BIO-3037
  • Earlier years and semesters for this topic