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Introduction to Genetics

Module description

Genetics plays a key role in much of the cutting-edge research in Neuroscience. In this module you will be introduced to the key concepts in genetics, including key historic discoveries, and how our understanding of inheritance has advanced over the last 200 years. You will explore the structure and replication of DNA, and how genetic information is stored in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. You will also consider how gene expression is regulated, hereditary patterns, and how population genetics and evolution have contributed to human diversity. You will also explore how naturally occurring genetic variation in humans and mutagenesis studies in model species are used to advance our understanding of neuroscience. Modern techniques in gene editing, DNA sequencing and gene discovery will be introduced, with examples from humans and other organisms.

Laboratory and computer workshops will provide hands-on experience of research methods used in genetic studies and will complement the theory of genetics covered in the lectures.

This is a core module for the first-year students on the BSc Neuroscience programme.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module introduces you to core concepts in genetics and complements this theory with appropriate laboratory demonstrations and computer workshops. The module will explore topics including DNA structure and organisation, DNA replication, gene regulation, genetic engineering, evolution, the origins of DNA variation and hereditary patterns.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe the landmark studies that led to the identification of DNA as the molecule of inheritance, its structure, its replication and how the information stored in DNA is expressed and regulated.
• 2. Illustrate the origin of genetic variation and how genetic approaches are used to determine the function of genes and understand evolution.
• 3. Explain the genetic basis for the hereditary patterns and describe how these relate to human traits and diseases.
• 4. Describe the currently used methods used to sequence DNA and identify genes and genetic variants associated with disease.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Perform laboratory techniques that are commonly used to study genetics.
• 6. Conduct DNA sequence analysis to identify the genetic basis of human diseases and explain how this relates to inherited disorders
• 7. Use appropriate statistical and graphical techniques to analyse genetic and phenotypic frequencies in human populations.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. Communicate ideas and report results effectively by written means
• 9. Identify appropriate information from various relevant sources including teaching material, the scientific literature, and the internet

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, an example of an overall structure is as follows:
We will cover topics including:

• DNA and chromosomes
• DNA to protein
• Control of gene expression
• Laboratory techniques and DNA sequencing technologies
• Genetic variation and the principles of heredity
• Linkage and mapping of disease genes
• Evolution and population genetics
• Use of model organisms in neuroscience research

These will be covered through lectures; data analysis sessions; a laboratory practical; and consolidation sessions. Knowledge and application of the course content will be assessed by an exam with both multiple-choice questions and questions with numerical answers , a practical problem set, and through quizzes based on practicals and computer workshops.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

In case of referral for the Engagement Quizzes (10%), a student would complete these quizzes during the ref/def period.  For the post lab/workshop quizzes (30%), a student would take a single combined quiz based on all practicals during the ref/def period. If a student misses two or more in-class quizzes with mitigation, then the student will be deferred to take the single combined quiz during the ref/def period. If a student misses a single in-class test, with mitigation, their overall mark for this element will be based on the mean percentage score of the quizzes taken.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Emery’s Elements of Medical Genetics (17 th Edition) Elsevier. – Chapter 1 of this book provides a concise introduction into the history and impact of genetics in medicine. 

Russell PJ (2014) iGenetics: Pearson New International Edition: A Molecular Approach – This book explains many of the key concepts from this course at the right level.

Alberts (2023) Essential Cell Biology (6^th edition): this book is useful for several of the lectures in this course.

Alberts B et al. (2015) Molecular Biology of the Cell (7th Edition) – This enormous book is essentially a detailed version of ‘Essential Cell Biology’ goes into great depth - more than is required for this course - but the explanations and diagrams are excellent. Chapter 1, “Cells and Genomes” from page 10 brings together several of the key concepts covered in this course in an accessible way.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE - https://ele.exeter.ac.uk/

Key words search

Gene regulation, genetic variation, genome, mutagenesis, hereditary, evolution, bioinformatics