BIOSCI 755 : Genomics and Gene Expression

Science

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The analysis of genomes and gene expression as a means of understanding biological processes. Aspects of functional and chemical genomics will be presented, as well as gene expression profiling using microarray technology. In terms of the latter, features of experimental design and data analysis will be discussed in the context of disease and developmental processes. A sound understanding of BIOSCI 351 or equivalent is assumed.

Course Overview

The objectives of this paper are to provide you with an appreciation of some of the latest developments in the field of human genome analysis, and to focus on the ability to interpret and plan experiments to gain a scientific understanding of topics in genomics. It is also intended to:
• provide you with a forum to develop skills in the presentation of scientific data, and to defend hypotheses in front of a critical audience.
• develop your writing skills such that you are equipped to write logically and in a structured manner on complex topics requiring the understanding and distillation of results from many scientific papers.
The content of the course is based heavily on the primary scientific literature, and therefore requires a large amount of independent reading and synthesis of the literature.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop skills in the presentation of scientific data (Capability 4)
  2. Defend hypotheses in front of a critical audience (Capability 5)
  3. Develop writing skills to write logically and in a structured manner on complex topics requiring the understanding and distillation of results from many scientific papers (Capability 1, 2 and 4)
  4. Evaluate hypotheses by critically assessing data from the published literature (Capability 2, 3 and 5)
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of Autism (Capability 1)
  6. Discuss the compromises required for the effective use of model systems applied to disease states (Capability 1, 2 and 6)
  7. Discuss the different approaches used to study the genetics of common diseases (Capability 1 and 6)
  8. Describe ribosome biogenesis and protein translation, and discuss how they are connected to cell fate (Capability 1 and 3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Seminar (plus one A4 page summary from seminar): 15% Group & Individual Coursework
Essay 15% Individual Coursework
Incourse readings 10% Group & Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Test
Final Exam 40% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Seminar (plus one A4 page summary from seminar):
Essay
Incourse readings
Test
Final Exam

Key Topics

The course involves three modules:
• Genomics to Models
• The Genetics of Common Diseases
• The Ribosome Biogenesis Paradox in Stem Cell Differentiation

Learning Resources

None - reading material provided through Canvas

Special Requirements

Compulsory attendance at all lecture sessions

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 20 hours of lectures, 50 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 80 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.

You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

During the course Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the staff responsible for the course and staff-student consultative committees.

At the end of the course students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback.

Your feedback helps to improve the course and its delivery for all students.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 12/02/2020 08:13 p.m.