MED101 Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
MED101 Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Mar 03, 2026
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Medicine
Betul Akcesme
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course introduces the fundamental cellular and molecular processes essential for medical practice. Students will study the structure and function of organelles, the mechanics of membrane transport, and the complexities of cell signaling and division. The curriculum also covers the "Central Dogma"—how DNA is replicated and expressed as proteins—while exploring the genetic basis of mutations, stem cells, and cancer. By combining theoretical knowledge with core lab techniques like PCR and microscopy, the course bridges basic biology with clinical applications.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Essential cell biology,5th edition, by Bruce Alberts, Karen Hopkin, Alexander Johnson, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter. Genetics: From Genes to Genomes,6th ed, by Leland H. Hartwell (Author), Michael L Goldberg (Contributor), Janice A Fischer, Essentials of Genetics, by William Klug (Author), Michael Cummings (Author), Charlotte Spencer (Author), Michael Palladino (Author), Darrell Killian (Author)
Additional Literature
Essentials of Genetics, by William Klug (Author), Michael Cummings (Author), Charlotte Spencer (Author), Michael Palladino (Author), Darrell Killian (Author)Teaching Methods
Presentations
Interactive class discussions
Labarotary practices
Power point presentations
Videos
And other learning materials
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | T: Introduction to Medical Biology; Clinical Importance of Biology in Medicine; Microscopy; Model Organism | Chapter 1-Chapter 2 (Alberts) |
| 2 | T: Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Structure; Cell Membrane and Endomembrane System | Chapter 1, Chapter 11(Alberts) |
| 3 | T:Transport Across Cell Membranes: Principles of Transmembrane Transport, Transporters And Their Functions, Ion Channels And The Membrane Potential, Ion Channels And Nerve Cell Signaling | Chapter 12 (Alberts) |
| 4 | T: Intracellular Compartments and Protein Transport: Membrane-Enclosed Organelles P: Lab Rules and Microscopy | Chapter 15 (Alberts) |
| 5 | Protein Sorting, Vesicular Transport, Secretory Pathways, Endocytic Pathway | Chapter 15 (Alberts) |
| 6 | Protein Sorting, Vesicular Transport, Secretory Pathways, Endocytic Pathway | Chapter 16 (Alberts) |
| 7 | T: Cell Cycle and Its Regulation, Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis P: Mitosis & Meiosis Observation | Chapter 18 (Alberts) /Chapter 4 (Hartwell) |
| 8 | Midterm Exam | |
| 9 | T: Cytoskeleton: Intermediate Filaments, Microtubules, Actin Filaments, Muscle Contraction | Chapter 17 (Alberts) |
| 10 | T: Cell Communities: Tissues,Stem Cells, and Cancer: Extracellular Matrix, And Connective Tissues, Epithelial Sheets And Cell Junctions | Chapter 20 (Alberts) |
| 11 | T: Introduction to Genetics; DNA and Chromosomes P: DNA isolation | Chapter 5 (Alberts) / Harwell related chapter |
| 12 | T: DNA Replication and Repair | Chapter 6(Alberts) /Harwell related chapter |
| 13 | T: From DNA to Protein: How Cells Read the Genome, P: RNA İsolation | Chapter 7 (Alberts) /Harwell related chapter |
| 14 | T: Post-Transcriptional Controls And Post Translational Modifications T: Mutations P: Electrophoresis | Chapter 8- 9(Alberts) /Harwell related chapter |
| 15 | T: Analyzing the Structure and Function of Genes P: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) | Chapter 10(Alberts) |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MED101.1 | Course | Tuesday 12:00 - 14:50 | A F1.17 | Thursday 12:00 - 13:50 | A F1.17 |
| MED101.1 | Tutorial | Thursday 13:00 - 14:50 | RC.G2 - GBE II | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 11:00 - 13:00 | A F1.34 | |
| Wednesday | 12:00 - 14:00 | A F1.34 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4 5
Midterm
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 4
Quizes
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 4
Homework
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 4
Lab reports
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 4
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Theoretical Lecture
56 hours ⏳ (14 week × 4 h)
Midterm Exam
16 hours ⏳ (2 week × 8 h)
Practical Lecture
28 hours ⏳ (14 week × 2 h)
Final Exam
24 hours ⏳ (2 week × 12 h)
Lap Report
15 hours ⏳ (5 week × 3 h)
Homework
3 hours ⏳ (3 week × 1 h)
Quizzes
8 hours ⏳ (2 week × 4 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [MED101] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo
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Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| MED101 | Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics | 4 | 2 | 6 | Tuesdays: 12:00-15:00 Thursdays 12:00-15:00 | |||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Betul Akcesme | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 11:00-13:00 Wednesday: 12:00-14:00 |
|||||||
| bakcesme@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Raneem Aldadah | Assistant E-mail | ||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course introduces the fundamental cellular and molecular processes essential for medical practice. Students will study the structure and function of organelles, the mechanics of membrane transport, and the complexities of cell signaling and division. The curriculum also covers the "Central Dogma"—how DNA is replicated and expressed as proteins—while exploring the genetic basis of mutations, stem cells, and cancer. By combining theoretical knowledge with core lab techniques like PCR and microscopy, the course bridges basic biology with clinical applications. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Essential cell biology,5th edition, by Bruce Alberts, Karen Hopkin, Alexander Johnson, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter. Genetics: From Genes to Genomes,6th ed, by Leland H. Hartwell (Author), Michael L Goldberg (Contributor), Janice A Fischer, Essentials of Genetics, by William Klug (Author), Michael Cummings (Author), Charlotte Spencer (Author), Michael Palladino (Author), Darrell Killian (Author) | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
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| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
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| Teaching Methods | Presentations, interactive class discussions, labarotary practices, Power point presentations, videos, and other learning materials | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | T: Introduction to Medical Biology; Clinical Importance of Biology in Medicine; Microscopy; Model Organism | Chapter 1-Chapter 2 (Alberts) | ||||||||
| Week 2 | T: Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cell Structure; Cell Membrane and Endomembrane System | Chapter 1, Chapter 11(Alberts) | ||||||||
| Week 3 | T:Transport Across Cell Membranes: Principles of Transmembrane Transport, Transporters And Their Functions, Ion Channels And The Membrane Potential, Ion Channels And Nerve Cell Signaling | Chapter 12 (Alberts) | ||||||||
| Week 4 | T: Intracellular Compartments and Protein Transport: Membrane-Enclosed Organelles P: Lab Rules and Microscopy | Chapter 15 (Alberts) | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Protein Sorting, Vesicular Transport, Secretory Pathways, Endocytic Pathway | Chapter 15 (Alberts) | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Protein Sorting, Vesicular Transport, Secretory Pathways, Endocytic Pathway | Chapter 16 (Alberts) | ||||||||
| Week 7 | T: Cell Cycle and Its Regulation, Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis P: Mitosis & Meiosis Observation | Chapter 18 (Alberts) /Chapter 4 (Hartwell) | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm Exam | |||||||||
| Week 9 | T: Cytoskeleton: Intermediate Filaments, Microtubules, Actin Filaments, Muscle Contraction | Chapter 17 (Alberts) | ||||||||
| Week 10 | T: Cell Communities: Tissues,Stem Cells, and Cancer: Extracellular Matrix, And Connective Tissues, Epithelial Sheets And Cell Junctions | Chapter 20 (Alberts) | ||||||||
| Week 11 | T: Introduction to Genetics; DNA and Chromosomes P: DNA isolation | Chapter 5 (Alberts) / Harwell related chapter | ||||||||
| Week 12 | T: DNA Replication and Repair | Chapter 6(Alberts) /Harwell related chapter | ||||||||
| Week 13 | T: From DNA to Protein: How Cells Read the Genome, P: RNA İsolation | Chapter 7 (Alberts) /Harwell related chapter | ||||||||
| Week 14 | T: Post-Transcriptional Controls And Post Translational Modifications T: Mutations P: Electrophoresis | Chapter 8- 9(Alberts) /Harwell related chapter | ||||||||
| Week 15 | T: Analyzing the Structure and Function of Genes P: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) | Chapter 10(Alberts) | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm | 1 | 30 | 1,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Quizes | 2 | 10 | 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Homework | 3 | 10 | 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Lab reports | 5 | 10 | 4 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Theoretical Lecture | 4 | 14 | 56 | Midterm Exam | 8 | 2 | 16 | |||
| Practical Lecture | 2 | 14 | 28 | Final Exam | 12 | 2 | 24 | |||
| Lap Report | 3 | 5 | 15 | Homework | 1 | 3 | 3 | |||
| Quizzes | 4 | 2 | 8 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 30/03/2026 | |||||||||