Winter Quarter 2012

RECENT UPDATES: 
1/22/12: Paper for 1/27 discussion posted. Problem set and paper for problem 1 posted.
1/4/12: MBoC Chapters 10-13 posted.
1/3/12: Discussion groups posted. Papers for 1/6 and 1/13 discussions posted.

Click here for a printable copy of course info and lecture schedule.

Course Director: David Morgan, david.morgan(at)ucsf.edu
Admin:  Danny Dam, danny.dam(at)ucsf.edu 

LECTURES:  Lectures are on Mondays and Thursday 9-10:30am in BH212. The course will NOT survey all of cell biology but will rather focus on a few selected exciting topics in cell biology. Particular emphasis will be placed on emerging concepts concerning cell organization, structure and function and on how complex problems can be approached experimentally. The lecturers will assume that students are familiar with basic biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology through previous course work.  If lacking background in these areas, students will be expected to do extra background reading to keep up with the pace of the lectures and/or attend review sessions by the TAs.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS:  We have three outstanding teaching assistants: Shon Greenberg, Melissa Hendershott, and Andrew Lyon. They will offer review sessions and provide material (lectures, papers, etc.) on the course website.

DISCUSSION GROUPS:  On Friday of each week, there will be small group discussion sessions at which research papers will be discussed in depth. Discussion sessions are a very important part of the course and attendance is mandatory. If it is absolutely essential for a student to miss a section, then that student is responsible for trading positions with a student in an alternative section.

REVIEW SESSIONS: The TAs will lead a review session every week to go over new material and to work with students on the proposal section of the course. The review will usually be held on Mondays from 5:30-6:30pm in S201. On MLK and President's day weeks, the review will be held on Tuesday instead.

PROPOSAL:  A written proposal will count for the largest portion of the class grade. A draft of the proposal will be due February 10th. Students will then meet with TAs the week of February 13th to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of their proposals. The final proposal will be due February 17th. There is no oral defense of the proposal. Suggested topics for the proposal will be provided and students will have the opportunity to receive feedback and guidance from the TAs during the review sessions.

GRADES:
50% proposal
25% problem set
25% participation in discussion sections.

IMPORTANT DATES:
Jan. 18: Problem set handed out.
Jan. 25: Problem set due.
Feb. 10: First draft of proposal due.
Feb. 13-16: Students meet with TAs to discuss draft proposals.
Feb. 17: Final draft of proposal due.