Genetics

lbio1221  2019-2020  Louvain-la-Neuve

Genetics
Note from June 29, 2020
Although we do not yet know how long the social distancing related to the Covid-19 pandemic will last, and regardless of the changes that had to be made in the evaluation of the June 2020 session in relation to what is provided for in this learning unit description, new learnig unit evaluation methods may still be adopted by the teachers; details of these methods have been - or will be - communicated to the students by the teachers, as soon as possible.
2 credits
20.0 h + 15.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Hachez Charles; Lejeune André;
Language
English
Prerequisites
Prerequisites: basic course in cellular and molecular biology. Good knowledge and command of mother tongue, current and scientific English: at least B1 level of the Common European framework of reference for languages.

The prerequisite(s) for this Teaching Unit (Unité d’enseignement – UE) for the programmes/courses that offer this Teaching Unit are specified at the end of this sheet.
Main themes
The introduction of the course aims at situating genetics and its importance in the global context of science and society. It is completed, at the end of the teaching period, with a debate on a theme related to the course, chosen by the students and prepared by the constitution of a portfolio of articles.
The study of genetics is considered at two levels of organization of life. At the individual level, the general laws of gene transfer, their application to particular cases and exceptions are outlined. At the population level, the study focuses on variations in genetic characteristics.
Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 This activity aims at:
 - Situating genetics in the global context of science and society;
 - Knowing and understanding the mechanisms governing the transmission of genes from one generation to the next and the genetic variations occurring in populations of individuals;
 - Being able to solve exercises related to the topics mentioned above.
 

The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Content
Content 1. Genetics and the organism 2. Classical genetics. 2.1 Patterns of inheritance (laws of Mendel). 2.2 Chromosomal basis of heredity. 2.3 Extensions of Mendelian heredity (incomplete dominance, codominance, lethal alleles, multiple alleles, gene interactions). 2.4 Gene linkage and genetic mapping 3. Overview of genomics 4. Population genetics. 3.1 Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. 3.2 Variations in populations. Method Theoretical classes and exercises. Debate on a selected topic linking genetics and society.
Evaluation methods
written examination on theory and exercises
Other information
Pre-requisite : cell biology class. Thorough knowledge of the mother language, rigor, ability to observe, analyse, synthesise, curiosity, imagination, motivation.
Written support : books, overhead transparencies, portfolio of reading material.
Teaching materials
  • Livre de référence (Griffiths et al., Introduction to Genetic Analysis, 11ème éd, Freeman) disponible à la BST ; édition plus ancienne accessible gratuitement sur la toile
Faculty or entity
BIOL


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Aims
Bachelor in Biology

Minor in Scientific Culture

Minor in Biology