BIOL3001K Genetics

Academic Year 2023/2024

Genetics is the study of heredity and its fundamental physical unit, the gene. Genetics explores how genes shape the phenotype of an organism, from single gene inheritance to quantitative trait loci and how genes and genomes change over time by evolutionary processes. The relevance of genetics and molecular biology for different fields of biology will be explored.
This module will provide an overview of the fundamental processes of inheritance as well as DNA, RNA and protein structure, synthesis and replication. It will explore how meiosis and sexual life cycles provide biological variation. The lecture will discuss evolutionary forces, how genes can change over time and how this can be studied with molecular evolutionary principles. Core molecular techniques will also be discussed.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will have a fundamental knowledge of genetics. Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of
1) the basic functioning of the intracellular structures and macromolecules involved in heritability
2) evolutionary principles and how these lead to changing phenotypes over time
3) principles of genetic analysis
4) scientific writing

Additionally, the student will have a thorough appreciation of the range of techniques that can be applied in molecular biology and genetics. This understanding will facilitate the student’s appreciation of molecular biology methods and biological research.

Indicative Module Content:

Mitosis and meiosis
Mendelian genetics
Chromosome and DNA structure, function and replication
Transcription and translation
Inheritance and its role in evolution
Genome structure and genome diversity in life
Basic molecular biological techniques: PCR, electrophoresis, molecular cloning, phylogenetics, genome sequencing

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

8
Specified Learning Activities

16
Autonomous Student Learning

77
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Workshops with problem-based learning

Please note: This module is delivered overseas and is not available to students based at the UCD Belfield or UCD Blackrock campuses. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Workshops and assignments throughout trimester Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

40
Essay: Essay End of Year Transition n/a Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback via Brightspace, Feedback 1:1 if requested

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

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