Signals of Life: Concepts of Cellular Communication



Overview

This course will delve into the wonderful world of cells and explore how cells communicate. Multicellular organisms are able to sense and respond to their environment. How does this happen within and between cells? The course will help understand the signals and the signalling systems in animal and plant cells that allow them to function and survive as organisms.

Students will be introduced to cells, their structure, properties and how they function individually and as communities. We will understand concepts of DNA, gene expression, protein synthesis and function, followed by introduction to the concepts of signals, receptors, and pathways of signal transduction. We will also examine the different mechanisms of protein modifications, and small molecules that act as signalling switches inside cells. We will study how cells are programmed to die, and why this is important for life. Finally, students will also have a chance to understand case studies, whereby the signalling concepts are used to understand plant and animal behaviour.

This course will be ideal for those who have a curiosity about cells and how their communication is essential for life.

Programme details

Courses starts: 22 Apr 2025

Week 1: Introduction to cells

Week 2: Proteins

Week 3: Signalling concepts

Week 4: Extracellular signals and their receptors

Week 5: Protein modifications as signals

Week 6: Small signalling molecules

Week 7: Cell death and long distance signalling

Week 8: Case studies: signalling for existence

Week 9: Case studies: signalling between organisms

Week 10: Case studies: signalling in response to the environment

Certification

To complete the course and receive a certificate, you will be required to attend at least 80% of the classes on the course and pass your final assignment. Upon successful completion, you will receive a link to download a University of Oxford digital certificate. Information on how to access this digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course you attended. You will be able to download your certificate or share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course Fee £285.00
Take this course for CATS points £30.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Radhika Desikan

Dr Desikan is a plant scientist who has taught plant science for several years and researched and published on the behaviour of plants facing various abiotic and biotic stresses.

Course aims

The aim of the course is to understand how cells sense and respond to signals they receive, and how this governs a whole organism response.

Course objectives:

The course will enable students to:

  1. Understand important components of cells and how they are essential for communication
  2. Gain knowledge on how common cellular mechanisms function across kingdoms
  3. Explain some signalling concepts of how animals and plants develop, reproduce and respond to their environment

Teaching methods

The course will consist of lectures followed by discussions, quizzes, or videos. The environment will be informal, allowing students to ask questions throughout the lectures.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  1. Understand concepts of cellular communication in multicellular organisms
  2. Gain knowledge of molecular pathways that are important for drug discovery and understanding diseases
  3. Understand how animal and plant responses are governed by cell signalling

Assessment methods

The assessment will consist of an essay of 1500 words on a given topic. The students will have the opportunity to submit a plan of their essay (500 words) and get feedback on it before the end of the course.

Coursework is an integral part of all weekly classes and everyone enrolled will be expected to do coursework in order to benefit fully from the course. Only those who have registered for credit will be awarded CATS points for completing work the required standard.

Students must submit a completed Declaration of Authorship form at the end of term when submitting your final piece of work. CATS points cannot be awarded without the aforementioned form - Declaration of Authorship form

Application

To earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online.

Please use the 'Book' or 'Apply' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment Form (Word) or Enrolment Form (Pdf)

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme (CATS)

To earn credit (CATS points) you will need to register and pay an additional £30 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Students who register for CATS points will receive a Record of CATS points on successful completion of their course assessment.

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process can either register for CATS points prior to the start of their course or retrospectively from the January 1st after the current full academic year has been completed. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support