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GENE30010

Academic Year 2025/2026

Genetics and Recombinant DNA (GENE30010)

Subject:
Genetics
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Rainer Melzer
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will provide in-depth insights into the complexity of gene regulatory circuits using just a handful of well-studied research subjects from animal and plant developmental genetics. We will see how specific biological questions can be tackled from a molecular genetics, epigenetics, population genetics and evolutionary genetics perspective and how the diversity of approaches leads to a better understanding of biological phenomena from a holistic point of view. This will enhance the general understanding on the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary processes that shaped living beings.

During the course of this module, a special focus will be put on how to approach biological research questions. This comprises formulating research questions, hypothesis building and hypothesis testing, experimental design, distinguishing bottom-up and top-down approaches as well as ultimate and proximate causation.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should:
- Know how to formulate a research question and how to design appropriate experiments for testing a hypothesis.
- Be able to employ a diversity of approaches from molecular biology and genetics to tackle a specific research question.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

95
Lectures

22
Practical

10
Total

127

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and online practical classes.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ANSC20010 - Genetics and Biotechnology, ANSC30030 - Animal Genomics


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): End of module examination. End of trimester
Duration:
1 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
50
 No
Exam (Online): Online mid semester exam. Week 6 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Exam (Online): Assessment of practicals. Week 12 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be made available via Brightspace.

Name Role
Mrs Jeanette Carlsson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Duccio Conti Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Monica De Gaetano Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Zixia Huang Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Julia Jones Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Joanna Kacprzyk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Rainer Melzer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Margaritha Mysior Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Carl Ng Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Kay Nolan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Antoinette Perry Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Carlotta Sacchi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Susanne Schilling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Craig Wilding Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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