Genetics, Genomics and Evolutionary Biology MCB 291

Craig Hunter, James Mallet

This course covers the fundamentals of classical genetics, molecular genetics, macro- and microevolution, phylogenetics, and developmental evolution. The emphasis is on major concepts and terminology, reading landmark primary literature, and acquainting students with research techniques.

Human Genetics MCB 101

Craig Hunter

Genomic information is accelerating the discovery and characterization of the molecular and cellular basis of human health and disease. This new lecture/discussion course will explore how knowledge from new technologies is used to advance our understanding of human biology. Topics will include personal genomics, understanding genome-wide associated studies, epigenetics, gene-environment interactions, and complex traits, the importance of model organisms to investigate molecular mechanisms, and the prospects for cancer genomics and gene/genome therapy. This lecture/discussion course will rely extensively on primary literature and contemporary review articles. Students will actively participate in class discussions and prepare four written summaries of assigned articles and two literature-based research projects (one in the middle of the term and one at the end of the term) that critically assess the scientific basis of popular news articles and consumer-targeted genomics information.