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2018/19 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

BIOL2110 The Power of Genomics

10 creditsClass Size: 165

Module manager: Dr Ryan Seipke
Email: R.Seipke@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module will remind students of the basics of gene structure, expression and regulation before describing the annotation of genomes, their comparison and functional study. The central aim of this module is to establish how genome sequencing and sequencing-based approaches have advanced understanding of prokaryotic and eukaryotic biology, and how these advances have been exploited for the discovery of novel antibiotics and other therapeutics. Students should note a key aspect of this module is to become familiar with the scientific literature, therefore compulsory reading will be provided and assessed in the final exam, and thirty percent of the final mark depends upon writing a mini-review article. Students will select one of three possible mini-review titles, research the topic area in their private study, and write a ~2000 word mini-review, which will be submitted electronically after the end of teaching on the relevant topic. The remainder of the final mark for the module is determined by an MRQ exam, for which there will be practice questions available online.

Objectives

The major objective of this module is to impart intermediate knowledge and understanding three major areas:
- Comparative and functional genomics and transcriptomics of bacteria pathogens;
- Eukaryotic genome biology and health and disease;
- Applications of omics-biology to discovery of new therapeutics.

Each of these areas is expanding rapidly and is making an important contribution to our overall understanding of prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular biology, and genetics and genomics, as such they also impact more applied fields such as biotechnology. This module provides a route to more advanced and specialized teaching in Level 3, e.g. Directed evolution, RNA therapeutics, Natural products discovery, and Synthetic biology.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students should have;
- developed intermediate knowledge and understanding of genomics as applied to prokaryotes and eukaryotes that is integrative, coherent, current, and example-based;
- developed skills in reading the scientific literature, and incorporating material from journal articles into their notes;
- practiced and improved their ability to express their ideas, knowledge and understanding in writing, using illustrative material as appropriate.

Syllabus

Theme 1: Genomics and transcriptomics of bacterial pathogens: (comparative genomics, horizontal gene transfer in evolution, functional genomics and transcriptomics);
Theme 2: Applications of ‘omics to natural products drug discovery: (approaches including genome mining, activating silent pathways, metagenomics and bioengineering);
Theme 3: Eukaryotic genome biology and health and disease: (chromosomal superstructure, epigenetics, medical implications).

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Drop-in Session	2	1.00	2.00
Lecture	15	1.00	15.00
Private study hours			83.00
Total Contact hours			17.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			100.00

Private study

Reviewing of lecture material 25 hours,
Reading and preparation of 1 x mini-reviews (‘seen’ questions) 45 hours,
completion of formative assessment 3 hours,
preparation for exam 10 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Unlimited attempts to complete online formative MRQs.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course Assessment	Summative Mini-review (choice of 1 of 3 operated by sign-up scheme)	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		30.00

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

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) (S1)	1 hr 30 mins	70.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		70.00

Exam with advance information on questions.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 18/04/2018

Disclaimer

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