Introduction to Genetics

Year 1

Cell Biology and Genetics

Cell biology is the study of how cells work and how they differentiate to form multicellular organisms. This module is an introduction to cell function - students will study the different types of molecules within cells and learn about cellular organelles and their functions. Medicine, and food and energy production are areas of increasing importance for the survival of humanity. It is with a comprehensive understanding of the basics in cell biology that a student will be equipped to go into the world of biological research. By the end of this module, students will have enough basic experience with cells and biological research that they will be capable of tailoring their module choices in the following years of their degree to best serve them as they graduate into their chosen field.

Year 3 

Advanced genetics and genomics

The module will specifically focus on the use of natural variation for the study of population history, selection inference, and analysing variation in complex traits; the use of comparative genomics and phylogenetics to understand evolutionary relationships and investigate gene and genome evolution; the role of microbiomes in human health and ecosystems and the study of gene function. Key techniques discussed include access and retrieval of data from public resources, population statistics, phylogenetics (including co-evolution between genomes), genome-wide association studies, gene annotation, transcriptome analysis, transcription factor binding prediction and characterisation of epigenetic modifications. Students will apply knowledge to devise a research programme addressing one such current challenge in biological and medical science.

(optional)