Genetics

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.

Learning outcomes

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.

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