Program Overview

Program Overview

The Biology program at the University of Genoa is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of molecular and cellular biology. The program aims to introduce students to the basic and most relevant aspects of cell biology, enabling them to interpret the cell as a functional unit of structures of superior hierarchical order.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

The program's primary objectives are to:

• Introduce students to the basic aspects of cell biology
• Enable students to interpret the cell as a functional unit of structures of superior hierarchical order
• Provide students with knowledge of molecular and functional cellular mechanisms
• Allow students to comprehend the significance of cellular mechanisms in relation to other cells and the surrounding microenvironment

Teaching Methods

Classes will be managed as frontal lectures with Power Point presentations. Students will be engaged in active discussion, via examples and specific exercises. Online material, including lecture power point notes, will be available on the AulaWeb website.

Syllabus/Content

The program's syllabus includes:

• Introduction to the cell theory
• Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• The endosymbiotic theory
• Structure and functions of the cell membrane
• Membrane transportation
• Endo- and exocytosis
• Chemical composition and structure of DNA
• Molecular mechanisms of DNA replication
• Transcription and characteristics of m-, r-, and t-RNA
• Translation and the genetic code
• Cell cycle and its control in eukaryotic cells
• Mechanisms of cell communication
• Apoptosis
• Overview of the basic mechanisms that control cell differentiation and embryonic development

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

Recommended textbooks include:

• D. Sadava et al.; Biologia: 1La cellula. Zanichelli Ed.
• D. Sadava et al.; Biologia: 2L'ereditarietà ed il genoma. Zanichelli Ed.
• D. Sadava et al. Principi di Biologia e Genetica. Zanichelli Ed.
• E.P. Solomon et al., Elementi di Biologia. EdiSes Ed.
• Alberts et al. "L'essenziale di biologia molecolare della cellula", Zanichelli Ed.

Teachers and Exam Board

The program's teachers include:

• William Bruno
• Paola Ghiorzo

Lessons

Lessons will start according to the formal communication provided by the competent office of each Faculty/School. The timetable for this course is available on the Portale EasyAcademy.

Exams

The exam is a written text, either taken online or in presence, during which students are requested to answer 10 questions relating to each of the integrated course single teaching. The examination for the integrated course is made up of a single written exam for the 4 sub-sections.

Assessment Methods

The exam aims to verify the students' comprehension of cell morphology and general organization, as well as their knowledge of the differences/similarities among prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and of their vital functions.

Exam Schedule

The exam schedule is as follows:

• 12/01/2026: 09:00, GENOVA
• 11/02/2026: 09:00, GENOVA
• 10/06/2026: 09:00, GENOVA
• 15/07/2026: 09:00, GENOVA
• 10/09/2026: 09:00, GENOVA

Further Information

Registration for the exams is strictly limited to the online registration system. Topics covered during lessons are summarized by the power-point presentations available on the AulaWeb page. Additional material can be presented at the end of the front lesson and made available through AulaWeb.