General provisions

The course is offered as part of the Master's programs in the Faculty of Medicine.

Entry requirements

Undergraduate education of 180 credits within life sciences (e.g. biomedicine, biotechnology, medicine, veterinary medicine) including at least 10 credits each of cell biology, biochemistry and genetics. Proficiency in English equivalent to the general entry requirements for first-cycle (Bachelor's level) studies.

Learning outcomes

The course aims to further develop the student's basic knowledge in genetics, in order to apply and critically evaluate biomedical and comparative genomic information in medical research.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• explain the basic and advanced features which govern genomic information, e.g. coding, non-coding, repetitive, non-coding RNA etc.
• evaluate existing population structure and describe the evolutionary processes which influence population level variation, including public genetic datasets for a range of key species.
• understand and discuss the molecular basis of phenotype inheritance and prevalence, e.g. Mendelian, complex, common, rare etc.
• motivate the use of candidate gene analysis, genome-wide scans and additional studies in a variety of population settings to identify disease association
• explore a collection of comparative bioinformatics tools and databases and apply these to interpret genetic variation and the link between genotype and phenotype for a range of diseases
• describe the interplay between genomic and external factors for selected diseases (e.g. autoimmune diseases)
• assess strategies for integrating human and comparative models in the progression from genotype association to phenotype causation
• critically evaluate the benefits and limitations of within and across species genome comparisons for dissecting human disease, e.g. ethical considerations, access to cohorts, disease heterogeneity etc.
• understanding of what work according to a scientific approach entails, how scientific studies are evaluated, how ethical considerations are applied in research, and how scientific information is communicated

Content

The course utilises current research topics in comparative genomics to illustrate how genomes accumulate variation, and how the comparison of this variation within populations or across the species barrier can be used to elucidate genome function, evolution, selection and adaptation. Emphasis will be placed on how the genomics of both human and non-human organisms can provide insights into vertebrate biology and how this can contribute to the understanding of human physiology and disease. The content of the course includes interpretation of basic genetic and genomic information, as well as advanced population and disease genetic and functional mechanistic processes. The students will gain knowledge about how research using model organisms can act as valuable resources for comparative disease genetic and genomic studies. The course gives an insight into how the combination of comparative genomics and molecular genetics has advanced, and will continue to drive, new strategies for genetic testing, precision medicine and gene therapy in humans.

During a series of lectures given jointly for other medical Master's programmes, you will also get an insight in a number of general science-related topics.

Instruction

Teaching is provided in the format of lectures and complemented with mandatory group assignments, computer exercises and student led seminars.

Assessment

Examination includes a written exam graded fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). The complementary assignments will be examined at seminars or through oral and/or written reports (of the assigned tasks) and will be graded fail (U) or pass (G) only.

To pass the course the students have to attend and be active in all compulsory sessions. The grading from exam(s) and assignments will together generate a final weighted course grade. Possibility for completion of not approved compulsory assignments may be given at the earliest at next course and only in case of a vacancy. Students who have failed the first examination are allowed five re-examinations.

If there exist special reasons the examiner can give allowance for alternative sets of assessment to examine an individual student. Specific conditions may e.g. be special pedagogic support described by the university's coordinator for special support.