Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 20 x 1 Hour Lectures |
| Practical | 3 x 4 Hour Practicals |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Online Test - Data analysis and comprehension | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Online Test. Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Students must take elements of assessment equivalent to those that led to failure of the module. | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Describe genetic processes at all levels of organisation (e.g. molecular, chromosomal, population) with reference to appropriate structures and concepts
2. Interpret and analyse data produced by genetic experiments
3. Manipulate a range of organisms in the laboratory, using appropriate equipment and reagents
4. Discuss recent advances in genetics at a basic level
Brief description
This module is intended for students whose degree schemes DO NOT contain a substantial genetics element in years 2 and 3, and for students that currently do not intend to follow courses in years 2 and 3 with a heavy genetics content. It aims to provide students with an understanding of the key principles underlying the theory and practice of genetics and to make them aware of how recent advances in genetics impact on many fields. Lectures will cover the basic principles of genetics, from molecules to populations and species before introducing case examples of how genetics contributes to related and unrelated fields. Practicals will first reinforce theory and will focus on problem-solving and conceptual visualization, and then illustrate how a basic understanding of genetics has contributed to the advancement of other fields.
Content
1. Introduction to the course and its purpose. General introduction to Genetics and DNA as the hereditary molecule
2. Central Dogma (DNA replication)
3. Chromosomes and chromosome replication
4. Central Dogma (Transcription)
5. Control of gene expression, ageing and plasticity
6. Central Dogma (Translation)
7. Recombination and segregation in eukaryotes
8. Population genetics and evolution
9. Contribution of genetics to other scientific disciplines
Practical topics
1. Mitosis and cell cycle analysis
2. Independent assortment and linkage
3. Problem solving using genetics
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Practical classes and exam questions require students to make calculations, interpret problems and analyse quantitative data. |
| Communication | Students will interact in teams during the formative interactive tests and so will hone their peer-to-peer communication skills during this element. Rotating spokespersons for each group will interact with academics to relay their answers and reasoning. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Feedback from formative quizzes allows students to identify areas in which performance requires improvement. The dry practicals will be interactive and solutions will be worked through live to improve conceptual understanding. |
| Information Technology | Students are encouraged to obtain information from recent research publications in non-genetics areas that utilize genetics, accessed using ISI Web of Science and other internet resources for use in their answers to exam questions and formative quizzes. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Greater awareness of the contribution of genetics to the advancement of other fields in the life sciences, and of the basic principles of genetics is intended to foster self-confidence in using genetics (however tangentially) and so enhance future career options for the students. |
| Problem solving | Students are required to predict and interpret the results of genetics experiments in the practical classes. Some practicals will be dry to focus on this element of learning. Many exam questions also contain a problem solving element. |
| Research skills | Students are required to engage in further reading to place the contribution of genetics to other subjects to prepare for the seen exam question. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Practical classes require students to follow laboratory protocols, use microscopes, prepare slides and interpret data. |
| Team work | Wet practicals require students to work in small groups. The dry practicals will be informal and in groups but live answers will be anonymous and individual (to foster individual advancement and confidence building). Short wash-up periods will be made available at the end of practicals to address individual issues. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4