2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY1237 Introduction to Genetics

10 creditsClass Size: 380

Module manager: Dr Tom Bennett
Email: T.A Bennett@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

A Level Biology or similar qualification approved by module manager.

Module replaces

BLGY1232 Introduction to Genetics

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Genetics is a fundamental area of biology, with vast real-world applications and importance. The basic concept of genetic inheritance is now firmly understood by laypeople across the world, and there is increasing interest in understanding our own genetic make-up. But what does genetics actually mean? In this module, which aims to provide a foundation in degree level genetics, students will explore the different meanings of ‘genetics’ and how this concept has changed over time. More importantly, students will explore what genetics means for us as organisms. To what extent do genes determine our inheritance? And how do our genes make us the distinct and unique organisms we are?

Objectives

The module is to provide students with a foundation in degree-level genetics.
1. To familiarise students with the nature of inheritance;
2. To familiarise students with nature of genes and genomes;
3. To demonstrate to students how the function of genes can be understood.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module, students will be able to;
1. Understand the meanings of genetics and how this has changed over time;
2. Understand how this inheritance is determined by a combination of genes, environment and development;
3. Interpret different patterns of inheritance in organisms, and understand how these arise a consequence of the underlying genetic material;
4. Understand the nature of different genome structures, and to be able to identify genes within genomes;
5. Understand how gene structure contributes to the expression and function, and to be able to identify the key features of genes.
6. To understand how model organisms can be used to study gene function, and to define the methods by which this can be done.

Syllabus

In this modules, students will gain a foundational knowledge of:
- The different meanings of genetics;
- The history of the study of genetics and inheritance;
- The fundamental patterns of inheritance in eukaryotes, bacteria and viruses;
- The contribution of genes, development and environment to inheritance;
- The behaviour of genes in populations and over evolutionary time;
- The nature of genome structure and complexity in different groups of organisms;
- The fundamental process of DNA replication, repair, recombination and gene expression;
- The regulation of gene expression, including epigenetic regulation, and how this relates to gene structure;
- The key role of model organisms in the study of genetics and gene function;
- The methods that can be used to identify genes and study their function in model organisms;
- The nature of differential gene expression, and how this leads to organismal development.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	20	1.00	20.00
Private study hours			80.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

In a class >250 students individual feedback is not possible. Interim MCQ test.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	Students informed about the test in Minerva	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

Further guidance on the assessment will be provided in the module handbook/Minerva.

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Online Time-Limited assessment	0 hr 48 mins	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 28/09/2023 10:59:28

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