51004 Master´s Thesis Writing Seminar, 1 cr updated 22.12.
Responsible teacher: Doc Sarah K. Coleman. The second teacher / organiser is Dr. Heidi Anderson, heidi.anderson|at|helsinki.fi
Target group: Master´s level students of biochemistry and biotechnology who are planning or are starting the Master´s Thesis work (pro gradu).
Timing: The course starts at the beginning of each term.
First session Wednesday 18 january, then 25/1/2012, 15/2/2012, 14/3/2012, 11/4/2012,
9/5/2012. Always 16.00-18.00.
Classes will be held while the student´s are writing their Theses. Registration and additional information by WebOodi.
Place: Biochemistry seminar room 3041, BIO2, 3rd floor, Viikki Campus
Registration and additional information: WebOodi
PLEASE NOTE: Priority will be given to Masters students of the Division of Biochemistry
and Biotechnology and Students in the MBIOT programe. However, any student who is writing
(or planning to write) their Masters Thesis in English and which is on some aspect of
Molecular Bioscience is welcome to register.

529350 Biochemistry and Biotechnology Research Seminar, 2 cr
Timing: Autumn 2011 and spring 2012. The course is intended to had at the same time as the laboratory project(s).
Place: To be announced later
Responsible teacher: Docent Esa Kuismanen.
Target group:Master´s level students of biochemistry and biotechnology, who are participating in laboratory projects in research groups (51031 Biokemian tutkimusprojektit/Biochemistry research projects OR 529212 Syventävä laboratorio-harjoittelu tutkimusryhmässä/Advanced Laboratory Training in a Research Group). The course also provides a forum for the compulsory seminar presentation of the student´s own M.Sc. (pro gradu) project.
Preceding studies: Compulsory B.Sc. level laboratory courses in Molecular Biosciences (or correspondingstudies).
Goal and content: The course seeks to develop the student´s skills for critical analysis of research results and scientific literature, to provide guidance in scientific writing and presentation techniques, and to engage the students in scientific discussion. Each student will give two presentations, one based on his/her own project (incl. one-page written summary), and the other on a recent scientific research article.

529318 MBIOT Personal study plan, 1 cr
Aika/Time: Period I, 6.9.-23.9. Tue, Wed, Thu at 14-16.
Paikka/Place: To be announced later
Vastuuhenkilö/Responsible person: MBIOT coordinator Leila Kauppinen

510010 Principles of Business, 4 cr updated 30.8.
Time: Period I, 13.9.-6.10., Tue and Thu at 8.30-12.00.
Examination on Tue 11.10. 12.00-14.00 o’clock.
Place: NOTE! Different lecture rooms! Tuesdays, 13.-27.9. Biocentre 3, seminar room 2402 and Thursdays Biocentre 2, lecture room 1015.
Exam: on 11.10. at 12-14, Info Center Korona lecture hall 2. Examination retakes on the general examination days of the Division of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Tuesdays 8.11. and 13.12. at 12.00 o´clock, Biocentre 2, Auditorium 1041. Registration for the exams by WebOodi.
Organizers and contact persons: in Viikki Tanja-Maria Ranta. Lic.Econ. Jorma Pohtola from
the Aalto University School of Economics.
Course description: Introduction to marketing (8 h), management (8 h), accounting (8 h)
and business environment (8 h) , altogether 32 h of lectures. Lecturers are from The Aalto University School of Economics.
Previous studies: Non required
Registration: WebOodi

529236 Introduction to Structural Biology and Biophysics, 5 cr
Time: Period 1 in uneven years, 26.9.-21.10.2011
Place: Biocenter 3
Responsible person: Dr Hideo Iwai, Institute of Biotechnology
The objective of the course: Our goal is that, by the end of the course, the student will have a basic understanding of all of the techniques of modern structural biology and biophysics, so that he or she can then both read the relevant scientific literature critically and also understand laboratory work in the field.
Course description: The course introduces all the key structural biology and biophysical techniques at a level designed for beginning Master¿s students. Topics covered include the basic mathematics behind the techniques, including Fourier Transforms and symmetry, wave properties as applied to electromagnetic radiation, energy levels and the interaction of radiation with matter. There is also a discussion of macromolecules, macromolecular assemblies and their properties in biology. Specific techniques discussed are X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, kinetics and mass spectrometry.
Literature: Material provided on the course, Whitford, Proteins structure and function, Serdyuk Zaccai & Zacchai, Methods in molecular biophysics Petsko & Ringe, Protein Structure and Function.
To pass the course: Presentation during class, examination, Scale 0-5
Additional information: This course is a prerequisite for 529223 Advanced Course in Structural Biology and Biophysics, 10 ECTS

51083 Neurotransmitter Receptors, 3 cr
Time and place: 18.10-13.12 2011, Tue at 14-16, BIO2 sh 3041. PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN DATES
Responsible person: Prof. Kari Keinänen
Prerequisites: B.Sc. or an equivalent degree. The course requires some background knowledge on biochemistry and is intended for advanced undergraduates and graduate students of biochemistry and related fields.
The objective of the course: The course seeks to provide knowledge on structural, molecular and cellular biology of membrane receptors and their signal transduction mechanisms. The main focus is on neuronal signaling but parallels to other systems and general properties of all signaling systems being studied as well.
Literature: Course materials will include book chapters, review articles and current research literature. Short introductions will be followed by student presentations and, hopefully, lively discussions. Literature assignments will be made at the first meeting.
To pass the course: There is no formal exam. To pass the course, active participation with an oral, research literature -based presentation and a short essay on the same topic are required.
Registration: WebOodi

Lectures and seminars, spring 2012:

510023 Origin of Biodiversity, 3cr
Time and place: 10.1. - 28.2.2011, Tue 12-16 o’clock, BIO2, seminar room 3041
Responsible person: Prof. Arto Annila
Objective: The objective is to acquire an overall understanding of evolution from atoms to biosphere on the basis of probable flows of energy. The statistical description unravels, what evolution is and how natural selection works to comprehend diverse molecular and cellular phenomena as well as various ecological concepts and relationships. The required concepts of probability, physical chemistry and mathematics of non-linear dynamics will be taught.
Literature: Hand-outs from the lectures
Completion: Lectures, calculations, essays

529008 Protein NMR Spectroscopy, 3 cr updated 5.1.
Time and place: 16.1. - 27.2.2012 Mon 10-13, BIO2 sh 3041
Responsible person: Dos Perttu Permi.
Preceding studies: Molecular biophysics or equivalent knowledge of optical spectroscopy.
Objective: The objective is to master the theoretical principles and to obtain practical skills to acquire spectra, data analysis and interpretation.
Contents: The lectures will cover how to study structure and function of biological macromolecules by multidimensional multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The focus is on protein three-dimensional structure determination, measurement of dynamics and observation of protein-ligand interactions.
Literature: Hand-outs from the lectures or Jamen Keeler: Understanding NMR Spectroscopy, Wiley, Frank van de Ven: Multidimensional NMR in Liquids, Basic Principles and Experimental Methods, Wiley
Completion: Lectures, calculations and essays

51114 Membrane biochemistry , 3 cr
Time and place: 19.1.-26.4.2012 Thu at 10-12 , BIO2 sh 3041
Responsible person: Prof. Carl Gahmberg
Preceding studies: 51056 Biochemistry Practicals A, 51015 Final examination in Biochemistry or equivalent
Objective: Recent studies have considerably improved our understanding of how cell membrane macromolecules cooperate to achieve optimal function. Cellular membranes are dealt with in most major text books of biochemistry and cell biology and give a good basis for further studies. Lipids, carbohydrates and proteins found in membranes of eukaryotic cells are described, their disposition in membranes, how they are studied and their major functions.
Contents:
Literature:
Completion: Lectures and seminars. The students choose a seminar topic and write a synopsis 1-2 pages long.
Evalution: The examination covers all lectures: The final mark is the mean of the examination and the student's seminar and is graded 0-5.

51067 Structure and function of proteins, 3 cr
Timing: 13.3.-15.5.2012, Tue 14-16 o’clock
Place: BIO2, lecture room 3041
Organizers: Prof. Kari Keinänen and docent Dmitry A. Bloch (Institute of Biotechnology)
Objective and Contents: The annually changing program covers selected topics on protein biochemistry, with focus on physico-chemical properties and on structure and function of enzymes and membrane proteins.
Course Materials: General textbooks (e.g., Lehninger; Voet & Voet) provide essential background. More specific reading (review articles/book chapters/lecture notes) will be given during the course.
Format: lectures, presentations by the students and discussion.
Previous studies: 51015 Final Exam in Biochemistry (Lehninger) or corresponding studies.
Assessment: Grade (scale 0-5) is based on an exam and the presentation.

529208 Bioethics and legislation, 3 ECTS credits MBIOT, updated 5.1.
Time: Spring term, period IV, 12.-29.3.2012 and 16.-26.4.2012, Mon, Tue and Thu at 16-18, no lectures on week 14 and 15.
Place: INFO 2
Responsible persons: MBIOT, MScPPS, MScFood and MENVI coordinators
Target group: MBIOT, MScPPS, MScFood and Master’s students of Molecular Biosciences
Preceding studies: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in biotechnology, biology, biochemistry, genetics, chemistry or in a related field
Objective: The aim is to familiarise students with ELSA (Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects) of biological sciences.
Contents: The course is composed of lectures, documentary film sessions, a panel discussion and students' presentations and divided by a two weeks' period when students prepare case study presentations on ELSA of chosen topics in small groups. The course will provide following themes: Introduction to ethical principles in science; Good scientific practices, misconduct of research and plagiarism; Science information services, public perception; ELSA in biomedical research and applications; ELSA in food production and food security, in agricultural practices, in environmental matters and in current issues in developing countries (climate change, biodiversity, bio-energy and patenting issues).
Study material and literature: Relevant literature will be indicated during the course
Completion: Lectures, case studies, panel discussion
Evaluation: Attendance 85%; Active contribution to the panel discussion; Active contribution to the preparation and presentation of the case study; Learning diary.
Grading scale: pass/fail

529232 mRNA processing in Eukaryotes, 3 ECTS credits updated 22.12.
Time: Spring term, period IV, 12.3.-3.5.2012
Lectures: Mon at 10-12 and Thu at 12-14, (no lecture on 5.4., 9.4. and 30.4.)
Place: Info 3
Exam: Thu 3.5.2012 at 12-14.
Responsible person: Doc. Mikko Frilander, Institute of Biotechnology
Study materials and literature: Will be provided during the lectures
Evaluation: Examination (0-5)

xxxxx Business Skills, 4 cr hebiot
Timing: Not in 2011-2012
Previous studies: 510010 Principles of Business
Contact persons: in Viikki Tanja-Maria Ranta. Lic.Econ. Jorma Pohtola from the Aalto University School of Economics.

51044 BioBusiness Lecture Course, 3 cr
Timing: To be announced later, presumed to be 7.-12.5.2012.
Contact persons: in Viikki Tanja-Maria Ranta.

510040 Business Planning course, 4 cr Next time year 2013
Previous studies: 510010 Principles of Business and 51044 BioBusiness Lecture Course are highly recommended.
Contact persons: in Viikki Tanja-Maria Ranta. Lic.Econ. Jorma Pohtola from the Aalto University School of Economics.

51070 Advanced molecular biology, 4 cr Next time year 2013
Responsible person: University lecturer Suvi Taira

Laboratory courses 2011 - 2012

51118 Practical Immunochemistry, 5 cr
Time and place: 13.2.-2.3.2012 ALL DAY BIO2 lecture room 3041 and laboratory
Responsible person: Pia Siljander and Liisa Uotila
Preceding studies: prerequisites 529304 Proteins and enzymes, 529305 Protein purification and characterization and 529314 final examination for the B.Sc. degree, or equivalent studies.
Objective: Students will learn to perform some essential immunochemical techniques and apply the use of antibodies in research.
Contents: The course consists of full-time laboratory work which will demonstrate immunochemical techniques, the use of antibodies, flow cytometry and the interpretation of flow cytometric data. The students will also take care of cell cultures if they are needed for the experiments. Students will familiarize themselves with current immunological research during lectures and from literature.
Literature: material in Moodle.
Completion: The final grade (0-5) is based on active participation during the practical work, accepted lab books and study journals and a group presentation.

510021 Cell Fractionation and Electron Microscopy, 5 cr The course will not be arranged during the academic year of 2011-2012.
Responsible person: University lecturer Eeva-Liisa Eskelinen

Other studies 2011 - 2012

529223 Advanced Course in Structural Biology and Biophysics, 10 ECTS cr
Timing: At any time after an agreement with one of the group leaders of the Research Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics at BI.
Responsible person: Prof. Sarah Butcher, Institute of Biotechnology

529222 Advanced Course in Cellular Biotechnology, 10 ECTS cr
Timing: At any time after an agreement with one of the group leaders of the Research Program in Cellular Biotechnology at BI.
Responsible person: Doc Maria Vartiainen, Institute of Biotechnology

529224 Advanced Course in Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, 10 ECTS cr
Timing: At any time after an agreement with one of the group leaders of bioinformatics and systems biology at BI.
Responsible person: Prof. Ykä Helariutta, Institute of Biotechnology

529268 Advanced Course in Developmental biology, 10 ECTS cr
Timing: At any time after an agreement with one of the group leaders of the Research Program in Developmental Biology in the BI. Please contact the responsible person for further information and to set up the agreement.
Responsible person: Osamu Shimmi, Institute of Biotechnology