Undergraduate Course: Genomes and Genomics 3 (BILG09005)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Genome sequences are available for most organisms of importance for research in life sciences. Technologies to produce sequence data continue to improve, increasing speed and decreasing cost, so genomic data is now an important part of many research projects. The study of complete genomes provides the basis for understanding living systems and the evolution of organisms at the most fundamental level, with important implications in practical applications in biotechnology and human health. Already knowledge gained from genomics is influencing the way we do science.
In this course we introduce and review the development and prospects for genomic analysis. In lectures, we consider the structure, function and evolution of genomes and complement this with practicals introducing bioinformatics tools and applying them to a novel sequencing project. |
| Course description |
Within the next few years genome sequences will be available for all organisms of importance for research in life sciences. Many of the genes identified in these sequences are still of unknown function and there is a strong drive to develop new methods, both experimental and computer based, that offer the prospect of having complete catalogues of the biochemical or genetic function of every gene in an organism. This information will ultimately provide the basis for understanding the system behaviour and evolution of genomes at the most fundamental level. Already knowledge gained from genomics is influencing the way we do science.
In this course we introduce and review the development and prospects for genomic analysis. There are three components to the course: a lecture series, computer based bioinformatics sessions and a practical.
In the lectures, through the presentation of key genomes, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic, we consider the structure, function and evolution of genomes. We follow this with the knowledge gained about human populations and disease by the sequencing of multiple individuals. Finally we introduce the epigenome and look at techniques of genetic manipulation to further our knowledge of genes and their functions.
In bioinformatics sessions we provide a grounding in important bioinformatics skills for the handling and analysis of sequence and other genomic data, including microarray data.
The practical gives the opportunity to generate novel genome sequences. We start in a wet laboratory with DNA isolation and preparation of a genome sequencing library for submission to Edinburgh Genomics. The resulting sequences are assembled, annotated and analysed in a computer laboratory.
Assessment comprises an essay, practical report and an exam.
|
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Equivalent of the courses listed above |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
|
Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 28,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 27,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
138 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Normally 2 items of in-course Assessment plus one 2 hour exam. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May) | | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- To introduce and review the development and prospects for genomic analysis
- To outline present understanding of genome structure, function and evolution
- To consider methods to investigate gene function and regulation
- To introduce the epigenome and the role of epigenetic modifications
- To provide a grounding in practical skills in bioinformatics
|
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
The University has identified six groups of abilities that should be developed as part of the University of Edinburgh training experience, and to enhance your employability as a graduate for the 21st Century. These abilities take your skill-base beyond basic academic knowledge and are enhanced at each stage of your degree. As outlined below, they relate to Genomes and Genomics 3 in a number of specific ways.
1) Knowledge and Understanding: All components of the course provide this to some degree but your lectures, in particular, offer an important framework upon which you can build attributes. This University considers itself to be a research-led institution and you will be exposed to cutting edge information and ideas as you progress through your degree course. In this course you will develop a comprehensive knowledge of genome structure, function and evolution, of tools to analyse genomic data and of methods for genetic manipulation.
2) Research and Enquiry: These skills are enhanced by encouraging further reading of books, research papers and electronic materials, to embellish your lecture and practical material. They underpin the assessed practical report.
3) Personal and Intellectual Autonomy: By reading and preparing materials for sessions, you will learn to synthesise your own views, develop reasoned arguments and refine scientific judgement. In addition, the practical report is an opportunity to develop and give your own views. Such skills enhance your capacity for life-long and independent learning.
4) Communication: This is a key attribute of all scientists and it is therefore important that you develop skills to interact constructively with others and convey knowledgeable and balanced scientific views. We specifically encourage these skills in practical and bioinformatics sessions.
5) Personal Effectiveness: The ability to organise and summarise your thoughts and material in a flexible and accessible way are core features that are required for personal effectiveness. Planning, time management and reflection are central to this. Of course these features also interlink with your personal and intellectual autonomy. By providing you with a timetable where key submission dates are highlighted, we are encouraging you to develop your effectiveness throughout the course. These same skills extend to other courses and also to your overall ability to maximise your achievement whilst studying at this University.
6) Technical and Practical Skills: In order to continue in a scientific career it is important that you not only understand the conceptual basis of how experiments are designed and carried out but also that you have the underpinning practical skills required for employability. Our course has a strong practical component, including both computer and practical laboratory based sessions, which is designed to prepare you for this, as well as to assist you in your future Honours course project. As part of your training, skills in computer-based handling and analysis of sequence and other data are provided. The skills you develop from your practical sessions include critical observation, investigation and interpretation, careful recording, quantification and analysis, and should serve you well in any future employment. |
| Keywords | Gen3 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Sara Knott
Tel: (0131 6)50 5444
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Angus Galloway
Tel: (0131 6)51 3689
Email: |
|
© Copyright 2017 The University of Edinburgh - 6 February 2017 6:24 pm
|
University Homepage