Module Specifications.
Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025
All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).
As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Date posted: September 2024
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
None Array |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Description The purpose of this module is to build on the principles of genetics and genomics from earlier modules in the programme with a focus on the human genome. Students will develop a good understanding of how this knowledge has been extended and developed to analyse, manipulate and understand the genomes of humans in different populations. This will be achieved by gaining knowledge in human inheritance and genetic variation of both mendelian and non-mendelian traits. Evolutionary processes impacting on genotype and allele frequencies will be described. Students are expected to access online materials and participate in tutorial discussions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Learning Outcomes 1. Knowledge and understanding of human inheritance (mendelian and non-mendelian). 2. Knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary approaches to disease gene identification. 3. An understanding of genome-wide association study design. 4. Identify the strengths and limitations of next generation sequencing efforts to understand human health and disease. 5. Apply the Law of Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and its assumptions to calculate allele and genotype frequencies. 6. Explain and predict the factors that can cause genotype frequency changes, including random drift, selection, mutation, recombination, non-random mating. 7. Define linkage disequilibrium and describe its use in population genetics. 8. Define effective population size (Ne) and identify population parameters that influence Ne. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Human InheritanceAn overview of the different types of human inheritance: autosomal, sex chromosomal inheritance, mitochondrial inheritance and epigenetics. Approaches to identifying the genes responsible for monogenic disorders. The latest therapeutic approaches to treating monogenic diseases. An understanding of oligogenic & polygenic inheritance and quantitative & discontinuous traits. How to conduct an association study and utilize the HapMap data. An understanding of linkage disequilibrium. Latest technologies and post-human genome projects. The impact of the environment on the human genome.Population GeneticsAn overview of the evolutionary forces and their interactions that create diversification within and between populations and affect the genetic structure of populations. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indicative Reading List
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Other Resources None | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||