Undergraduate Course: The RNA World/Sex Determination (GENE10012)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type | Standard |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Credits | 10 |
| Home subject area | Genetics |
Other subject area | None |
| Course website |
None |
Taught in Gaelic? | No |
| Course description | The RNA World:
Recent years have seen a growing awareness of the major role played by RNA molecules and RNA metabolism in biological systems. The course will cover many aspects of the function, transport and evolution of RNA and will highlight the dual roles of RNAs as functional components of cells and major carriers and mediators of genetic information.
Topics:
The RNA world hypothesis for the origins of life. The structure of RNA, RNA-mediated catalysis and splicing. The synthesis, modification, transport and degradation of mRNAs. The roles of these activities in the regulation of gene expression. mRNA localization and its importance for cell and organism polarity. The use of RNAi to analyse gene expression and function. Small RNAs as therapeutic agents.
Sex Determination:
Learning outcomes
- Understand genetic strategies for sex determination and sex chromosome dosage compensation in a variety of vertebrate and non-vertebrate species
- Criticise current experimental data relevant to the topic and evaluate apparently conflicting theories
- Prepare and execute presentations and participate with peers in seminars conveying details of recent advances in the field. |
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Notepads |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2012/13 Semester 2, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
WebCT enabled: No |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| King's Buildings | Lecture | | 1-11 | | 14:00 - 15:50 | | | | | Central | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | 09:00 - 10:50 | |
| First Class |
First class information not currently available |
| Additional information |
Tuesday - Sex Determination (Heather McQueen)
Thursday - The RNA World (David Tollervey)
|
| No Exam Information |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
| Increased understanding of Biological processes. Detailed learning outcomes will be provided later. |
Assessment Information
Sex Determination
Essay (70%), Seminars (30%) - Total for Course = 5 points
The RNA World
Essay = 5 Points
Essays due Semester 2, Week 6 (February) |
Special Arrangements
| None |
Additional Information
| Academic description |
Not entered |
| Syllabus |
Not entered |
| Transferable skills |
Not entered |
| Reading list |
Not entered |
| Study Abroad |
Not entered |
| Study Pattern |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Peter Fantes
Tel: (0131 6)50 5669
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Donna Wright
Tel: (0131 6)51 7051
Email: |
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