Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
1. To provide insight into modern genetic approaches to analysis of gene expression and its regulation.
2. To consider current research methods for identifying regulatory interactions in gene expression.
3. To develop understanding of resources available to the modern geneticist in terms of datasets describing different levels of information available on genes – sequence, expression, interactions, function, pharmacogenetics etc. and the links between them.
4. To provide information on epigenetic mechanisms & post-transcriptional control of gene expression
What is modern genetics? The field of genetics has changed dramatically over recent years, with the availability of extensive genomic sequence making new approaches to genetic analysis possible. Allied to this a number of new technologies and understandings have also opened up significant opportunities in studying expression of genes and interaction of gene products. This module aims to broaden and deepen understanding of gene expression through both taught (lecture/seminar), practical and computer-based exercise making use of databases, datasets and bioinformatic tools.
The syllabus will cover:
epigenetic & long range regulation of gene expression
the complexity of RNA expressed in cells, post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, and specifically alternative splicing, regulation of mRNA use and determinants of mRNA fate
practical uses of microRNA-mediated silencing
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | In-course presentation 2x3hr sessions on same day, total time dependent on student number |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | In person - Key route for knowledge transfer. Some direction for additional reading provided. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 28:00 | 28:00 | Completing /writing up practical, research paper and graphical abstract based on workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 6:00 | 12:00 | In person - laboratory based practical session. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In person seminar on interpreting complex datasets |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | In person - PC Cluster based database searches and info compilation. The first session will be a seminar introducing online genetic data mining, i.e. how to access information on genes, the second will allow guided independent enquiry on a chosen gene. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | In person seminar introducing graphical abstracts and the assessed presentation of them |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 37:00 | 37:00 | Writing up lecture notes, revision and general reading |
| Total | 100:00 |
Lectures will be used to introduce basic knowledge, and also a number of key genetics methodologies.
Seminars will expand significantly the emphasis of the module on methods, and will be geared towards the practical and workshop sessions as well as preparing for the graphical abstract/presentation assessment.
The practical will give the students an opportunity to generate data from the analysis of genes by RNAi and epigenetics, whereas the workshops will be focused on gathering data about specific genes. The oral presentation will provide opportunity for the students to investigate a specific topic related to the module, increasing their learning and to present this to the cohort.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research paper | 2 | M | 60 | Write up on information compiled in workshops and independent study. (2000 words) |
| Practical/lab report | 2 | M | 30 | Practical observation proforma and pre-set questions. All questions must be answered (max of 20 questions) |
| Oral Presentation | 2 | M | 10 | In person oral presentation summarizing the research paper assessment in ONE graphical abstract style slide. 3 minutes plus 3 minutes questions |
The ‘Research paper’ assessment will be based on work initiated during the workshops and small group teaching which will provide familiarity with databases and interpreting complex genetic datasets, students will build on this in their independent study. This will provide a foundation for work in third year modules, where specific genes and conditions are discussed, frequently with reference to databases and information within them. As the write up of this part of the module will be in the form of a research paper, it will also provide relevant experience for the third year project modules, which are also written up in this form.
The linked graphical abstract oral presentation will afford students an opportunity in distilling information from the longer research paper into a single image and presenting before a small audience including peers and then answer questions from the audience.
The practical write up will provide practice at analysing and writing up experimental data.