MOLECULAR GENETICS

01. Analyse and evaluate experimental and published data relating to molecular genetics experiments to prepare a comprehensive laboratory report.

Activities:

Information about the research area, experimental and data analysis techniques, and report preparation guidelines are outlined in the practical manual and associated online (moodle) resources and are further explained in practical class/es and tutorial/s. Students have to conduct experiments in the practical classes, analyse and write up experimental results.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. Articulate and apply advanced genetics concepts and analytical methods in the genetic control of development, the structure and function of genes and chromosomes, human variation, genetic disease and genome biology.

Activities:

Genetics concepts and analytical methods are explained in lectures and recommended reading. Students participate in theory revision sessions. Students can revise content and practice their knowledge via online resources (Moodle, Peerwise) including: practice exam questions, discussion groups, lectopia and other materials. Students attempt 2 in-class multiple choice exams and can use the feedback on these exams to structure their revision before the end-of-semester examination (2 x 1.5 hour theory exams).

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Apply advanced molecular genetics laboratory methods to generate and analyse high quality experimental data.

Activities:

Students will learn and apply techniques for microscopy, micropippetting, electrophoresis, column chromatography, blood culture, karyotyping, histochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, restriction enzyme digestion, image analysis and statistical analysis in the practical classes.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

04. Analyse, discuss and present research information to peers and a scientific audience.

Activities:

Journal Club presentations: Information necessary for completing this assignment is available in the practical manual as well as online guidelines. Students need to select, read and discuss a research article from a provided list. Students present a discussion and critique of the research study, followed by answering questions from the academics. Written feedback is given by academics, demonstrators and peers. Clinical case studies poster presentation: Students have to diagnose a genetic disease from provided clinical data. Instructions to prepare a poster presentation will be given. Posters will be presented in a poster symposium, followed by questions from academics. Written feedback is given by academics, demonstrators and peers.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

05. Use bioinformatics to solve genetics problems.

Activities:

Information to complete assignments is available in the practical manual and online guidelines. Individually and in small groups, students will use the genetics computer lab to access online worksheets, tutorials, genome databases and bioinformatics tools to solve genetics problems: - Students have to complete bioinformatics worksheets using online tutorials and database mining tools. - Students generate VNTR and RFLP (DNA variation) data in the laboratory and then use online sequence analysis and comparison tools to discover ApoB and PTC genotype/phenotype corelation, then analyse and describe the evolution of these genotypes and traits. - Students use online databases and apply gene search and analysis tools to analyse clinical case study data.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

06. Apply clinical problem solving skills to diagnose genetic diseases.

Activities:

Information about the assignment is available from the practical manual and a practical briefing is given on clinical problem solving. Students analyse clinical genetics data by DNA bioinformatics or karyotype analysis using online guides and resources, and diagnose the genetic disease. Students discuss their findings with demonstrators in a tutorial. Students then prepare a case study poster and present the poster (5 minutes), which is followed by questions (10 minutes) from genetics academics in a poster symposium. Written feedback on the posters and poster presentations is given by academics, demonstrators and peers. Prizes are awarded to the top group in each practical class.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)

07. Discuss and debate the ethical implications of Genetics research.

Activities:

In the first session, groups of 8 students will be provided with published opinion and research on current genetics topics such as: criminal DNA databases; control of DNA information; saviour siblings; paternity; predictive genetic testing; forensic medicine and Informed consent. Students will discuss the topic and undertake further independent research. In a second session students will form groups of four to take opposing sides in the discussion mediated by a tutor. Opposing groups will summarize their arguments in front of academics and class in the final session.

Related graduate capabilities and elements:

Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)