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Module Title
Genetic Variations in Humans and other Eukaryotes
School
School of Bioscience
Department
School of Biosciences
Module Code
03 21783
Module Lead
Dr Sanchez-Moran
Level
Honours Level
Credits
20
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions
Optional for Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences (Animal Biology), Biological Sciences (Biotechnology), Biological Sciences (Environmental Biology), Biological Sciences (Genetics), Biological Sciences (Microbiology), Biological Sciences (Plant Biology), Biological Sciences with Study in Continental Europe, Biological Sciences with a Year's Work Experience, Human Biology and Human Biology with a Year's Work Experience.
Genetics underpins all aspects of biology and recent developments in genomics together with novel analytical approaches are providing new insights into the molecular basis and evolution of genetic variation. This module will examine genetic variation from the chromosomeal level through to populations focusing on humans and relevant examples from model organisms. The module will study the dynamics of chromosome organisation during mitosis and meiosis; how chromosome variation is related to ageing, cancer and genome instability and chromosome evolution. The genetic control of qualitative and complex quantitative traits such as intelligence, body weight and hypertension will be considered together with the methodologies that have been developed to identify the genes involved. You will be given tutorials and workshops to help you with this part of the module.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module the student should be able to:
Demonstrate an awareness of the importance of genetic variation;
Understand the theoretical framework underpinning the analysis of genetic variation;
Understand the implications of genetic variation in regard to genetic disease; the identification of quantitative traits and genome evolution;
Describe the experimental approaches that are used to investigate genetic variation at all levels ranging from chromosomes to populations;
Analyse and interpret data produced by these experiments.
Continuous Assessment based on two projects (35%) comprising 1. Extended essay on new developments in genetics e.g. CNV, Human transposons
2. QTL Analysis
3 hour written examination during May/June (65%)
Reassessment:
Resit exams are not normally available for Level H modules. Students who miss their assessments due to extenuating circumstances will be required to sit them at the next appropriate opportunity i.e. during the supplementary examination period in August/September).