Human and Medical Genetics

Subject 652-305 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Lectures

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Three 1-hour lectures per week. Total 36 hours.
Total Time Commitment: 120 hours total time commitment.
Prerequisites:

Principles of Genetics

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Coordinator

Prof James Camakaris
Subject Overview:

This subject focuses on several key areas in contemporary human genetics: mutation in humans and its molecular basis; polymorphisms; selection and its consequences; gene mapping; strategies for identifying genes which cause human disease; the molecular basis of genetic diseases; genetics of cancer and ageing; the Human Genome Project and its applications; screening for genetic diseases; genetic counselling, human cytogenetics and gene environment interactions. Ethical issues will be discussed in context in various sections of the course.

Objectives:

Upon completion of the subject, students should have: appreciated the importance of genes in influencing human health, disease and evolution; recognised ways in which environmental factors may modify the effects of genes; understood the basic techniques and concepts of molecular genetics and human genomics which permit findings at the DNA level to be related to phenotype; appreciated the ethical issues raised by the application of molecular techniques to human variation; developed skills in use and application of methods of gene mapping and linkage in humans.

Assessment:

One assignment (problem based) less than 1000 words due during semester (5%); two written tests during semester (each 7.5%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (80%)

Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Completion of this subject is expected to enhance the generic skills of a student in: the ability to read relevant literature and be able to interpret this in order to answer detailed questions on both theory and methodology; the ability to understand how new scientific data relevant to the human condition is acquired and applied to old and new problems in society; an appreciation for how modern knowledge in human biology is relevant to an understanding of our past and future; the ability to use information technology to acquire relevant knowledge; the ability to think clearly about the application of scientific principles to the consideration of ethical issues.

Notes:

Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 BSc), BASc or a combined BSc course will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.

Human and Medical Genetics was 652-305 Human Genetics (prior to 2009).

Related Course(s): Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Graduate Diploma in Biotechnology
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Biotechnology
Genetics

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