Course Overview

This course will equip students with:

- fundamental knowledge of genetics
- understanding of how traits are passed from one generation to the
next
- basic comprehension of the role of genes in biological functions
- methods for mapping genes to chromosomes and for predicting the
risk of transmission of monogenic pathologies
- methods for characterizing and/or creating an animal model for a
genetic disease

Learning Achievement

Competence

Course prerequisites

- Access to a computer equipped with internet 
- Proficiency in English must be sufficient to participate in
scientific discussions
- Selection criteria: satisfactory performance in previous scientific
courses

Grading Philosophy

- Oral presentation 
- Genetic disease blog 
- Homework including computer simulation 

Course schedule

1. GENE TRANSMISSION

Students learn the principles of transmission genetics and gene
mapping. Teaching primarily focuses on the general principles of
heredity, Mendelian inheritance, and on general strategies by which
genes are assigned to chromosomal loci. Towards the end of the course,
students also learn about the basic principles of family and
population genetics. 

2. GENE FUNCTION

Students learn how proteins are synthesized from the code encrypted in
our DNA in a highly controlled fashion. They are then able to
understand why interfering with the expression of genes leads to
abnormal protein production and how this can be inherited. In other
words, students obtain insight into the geneticist’s favorite
blackbox: the relationship between genotype and phenotype.

3. MODELS OF PATHOLOGY

Through the use of relevant examples, students become familiar with
forward (identification of mutations causing a genetic disease) and
reverse (design of genetically modifiedorganisms) genetic
approaches.__

Course type

Classroom discussions, computer simulations, oral presentations, blogs, collaborative project work organized as follows:  - 15 hours face-to-face - 10 hours video viewing at home  - 35  hours problem solving  - 30 hours reviewing class materials   - 30 hours preparing oral presentation - 40 hours blog editing - 20 hours assessment preparation

Online Course Requirement

Instructor

Other information

- Maximum number of students: 16



Language of instruction: English
Mode of delivery: Blended-learning including 15 hours of face-to-face sessions and computer simulation

Site for Inquiry