Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Cell and Molecular Biology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3310-01

Course: BIOL 3310-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: BIOL
CRN: 12642

Course Description

Study of structure and function of cells and organelles from the molecular and experimental perspectives. Three (3) hours of lecture per week. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 3315 Prerequisite(s): BIOL 3060 and BIOL 3065 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

Top Hat Classroom - One Semester
ISBN: 9780986615108

Learning Outcomes

Course Objectives:

  1. Appreciate that cellular and molecular biology is an exciting, vibrant, current topic with relevance to science and society
  2. To become well-versed in the process of scientific reasoning through analysis of research articles, understanding laboratory experiments, and performing techniques in biotechnology in a laboratory setting
  3. Gaining factual knowledge: Be able to describe the elementary principles of molecular biology including recombinant DNA technology, DNA replication, DNA sequencing, PCR, DNA mutation and cloning
  4. Learning to apply course materials (to improve thinking, problem solving, etc.) and learning how to find and use resources for problem solving
 

Essential Learning Outcomes:

1.    Effective communication: Oral and written presentation of scientific work or synthesis of knowledge from the field
2.    Reading, understanding, and critiquing peer-reviewed literature

Course Requirements

Assignments and Grading***: Most assignments are to be completed individually.

PARTICIPATION IN CLASS: You are expected to read the required assignment before each class and come prepared to discuss the readings. Groups will present on each paper in class, so all group members must be ready to discuss the paper of topic. 


 HOMEWORK PROBLEMS: Homework problem sets will be due for each chapter. These will be turned in through TopHat. Questions will help extend knowledge of material and also help with critical thinking. Points vary.

QUIZZES: Quizzes should be anticipated to give you opportunity for critical thinking. Around 15-20 points each.

EXAMS: 3 exams will be given over the course of the class around 100 pts each.  

PAPER SUMMARIES/QUESTIONS: 

          After reading the assigned original research article, write a summary/critique of the article indicating the purpose and significance of the research and describe how the experiments support the paper’s conclusions.  This is due at the beginning of the discussion. There may also be specific questions that will be assigned for these articles.

 
RESEARCH GRANT PROPOSAL

A written proposal will give you practice in written communication. You will write it over the course of the semester, with various due dates for different sections. Please see Canvas for more information.

Course Outline

Week 1-4: DNA metabolism: How is DNA replicated, manipulated, recombined and repaired. Chromosome structure.
Week 5: DNA sequencing, genome analysis and comparative biology
Week 6-7: Protein structure, cell signaling and signaling pathways. Link from signaling to transcription factors.
Week 9: Eukaryotic transcription, chromatin and transcriptional control.
Week 10: Post-transcriptional control and RNA interference
Week 11: Supressor genetics and translational control
Week 12: Protein sorting, intracellular compartments and cytoskeleton structure
Week 13: Stem cells, cell cycle and cycle control
Week 14: Apoptosis and Cancer

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Due dates in this class are firm. You will lose 20 percentage points on the assignment for every day that an assignment is late, with a maximum of an assignment being 3 days late. Makeups for any assignment are only granted in the case of a sickness (verified by a doctor) or family emergency (verified through an advisor). For example, if you have a wedding, or even a university-sanctioned event (e.g. sports, student ambassador, med school interview, conference, etc.), you still must finish the homework, quiz or exam before the date that assignment is due, no exceptions! Make-ups must be completed within 3 school days. TopHat makeups are due within 1 week of absence, and you can only earn a maximum of 20 points per makeup session. If you do not adhere to this policy, you will be given no opportunity to make up the assignment and you will receive a zero score for that assignment.

If you anticipate missing any classes for any travel away from SUU during the semester, you are required to complete the SUU Travel make-up contract by the third week of the semester. This form can be downloaded from Canvas and turned in for each travel event. Any other accommodations (extra time, extended due dates, etc.) requested by student must be coordinated through the Student Resource Center.

Attendance Policy

Attendance points are earned through TopHat participation during lectures. Points can be made up by attending office hours within one week of absence.

Course Fees

Normal lecture course fees apply.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.