Advanced Topics in Genetics A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

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 participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject will focus on one or more current areas of Genetic research and aims to provide students with an in-depth coverage of these areas with respect to recent advances and insights. This subject will extend basic knowledge in these areas gained during a student’s undergraduate degree. The topics of this subject will change from year to year but the subject will consist of blocks of lectures in the chosen topics, literature review and analysis where published papers are analysed and discussed and oral presentations. The subject provides students with skills and knowledge for understanding original research and enhanced oral communication skills.

Objectives of this subject are for students to:

• understand the way in which experiments in genetics are designed, communicated and interpreted;

• extend their abilities in oral and written scientific communication; and

• gain the ability to read and assimilate specific research papers and to understand how the research

reported relates to the broad field of genetics.

The subject involves lectures and lecture/discussions on research papers in genetics, in one or more areas of genetics.

One three-hour examination at the end of the subject (75%) and one 20 minute oral presentation, mid-subject (25%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

This subject will provide students with the opportunity to develop the following generic skills:

• the ability to evaluate scientific literature;

• the ability to use conceptual models to assess experimental data;

• the capacity to articulate their knowledge and understanding in written and oral presentations;

• an appreciation of high level written presentation skills;

• the capacity for oral communication and presentation skills;

• time management and self-management skills.