2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

OGDS5201M Genetic Epidemiology

15 creditsClass Size: 150

Module manager: Dr Mark Iles
Email: m.m.iles@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 Nov to 31 Dec, 1 Nov to 31 Dec (2mth)(adv yr) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Students are required to meet the programme entry requirements prior to studying the module.

Module replaces

None

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module will provide an introduction to genetic epidemiology covering the main topics of current interest in the field. An introduction to human genetics will be included, but the main emphasis is on understanding statistical and epidemiological aspects of the study of the genetic basis of human diseases.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to:

- Introduce the core concepts and methods of genetic epidemiology;
- Develop a basic understanding of human genetics and population genetics;
- Introduce the different stages in understanding the genetic epidemiology of a disease including the study of familial aggregation, mapping disease genes and characterising their effect on disease risk;
- Enable the student to understand the study designs and statistical methods appropriate to each of these stages;
- Develop awareness of recent and ongoing developments in the study of genetic epidemiology, including technological advances

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:

1. Describe the key concepts of human genetics including Mendelian laws of inheritance, recombination and linkage disequilibrium;
2. Explain the principles behind genetic association analysis;
3. Carry out association analysis, demonstrating understanding of underpinning statistical methods;
4. Describe the conduct of genome-wide association studies, and evaluate their strengths and limitations and issues surrounding multiple testing;
5. Explain how the results of GWAS can be used for risk prediction and to begin to interrogate the underlying biology of a trait.

Skills outcomes
Students will acquire or consolidate skills in statistical analysis, and will learn how to apply these to the analysis of genetic association and linkage studies and to the investigation of familial aggregation.

Syllabus

Indicative content for this module includes:

1. Basic human genetics
2. Familial aggregation and linkage analysis
3. Genetic association
4. Introduction to Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS)
5. Stratification and meta-analysis in GWAS
6. Beyond GWAS

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Discussion forum	6	2.00	12.00
WEBINAR	1	1.50	1.50
WEBINAR	5	1.00	5.00
Independent online learning hours			42.00
Private study hours			89.50
Total Contact hours			18.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Across each week of learning students will actively engage with pre-prepared teaching and learning resources which scaffold learners to achieve learning outcomes (independent online learning). Each week follows a set pattern of acquiring knowledge which is then applied to a substantive activity which will usually be authentic to real-world application. Weekly asynchronous discussions (such as discussion boards) allow for peer-to-peer and peer-to-tutor discussion which supports completion of the substantive activity. At the end of each week of learning students consolidate their learning through reflective activities and a weekly live webinar session with the module tutor. Each unit also provides students with the opportunity for exploration and self-directed learning as is expected at masters level (private study).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- The module’s digital learning materials provide regular opportunities for participants to check their understanding and gain feedback The individual unit webinars and discussion forums provide opportunities for formative feedback from peers and tutors.

- Student will be told of the assessment at the start of the module and will be provided with opportunities to ask questions to teaching staff before starting on the assignment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Presentation	Oral presentation (10-15 minutes) on the Genetic Epidemiology of a particular disease	30.00
Online Assessment	2 hour online test	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

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: 18/11/2024

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