BIOS6111
10 units
6000 level
Course handbook
Description
This course introduces students to Genetic Statistics. The course is designed to equip students with an understanding of the biological and molecular theory relevant to understanding DNA variation, its inheritance, and relation with measurable traits in humans. There is an emphasis on manipulating and analysing genetic data and correctly interpreting results. The course will provide a foundation for further theoretical and practical studies in this major field.
Availability2018 Course Timetables
WebLearn GradSchool
- Semester 1 - 2018
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course students will be able to:
1. Understand basic concepts of molecular genetics relevant to genetic epidemiology, including DNA structure, recombination, allelic variation, and mutation;
2. Understand disease and quantitative phenotypes and describe their possible modes of inheritance;
3. Define heritability and understand the different approaches to its estimation;
4. Define and assess standard metrics for a range of genetic markers, with an emphasis on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs);
5. Design and undertake a genetic association study, including power and sample size calculations, and genetic association analysis.
Content
This course introduces students to Genetic Statistics. Students will be exposed to basic concepts in molecular genetics that underpin this field. They will gain an understanding of the various response variable types that can be studied and major differences in their modes of inheritance. Students will learn to design a genetic association study, understand and manipulate data representing DNA sequence variation and study its association with disease states and quantitative traits. They will also gain an appreciation of important statistical challenges relating to multiple testing, and its impact on type I error rate and power in genetic association studies. There will be an emphasis on gaining practical experience with manipulating and analysing genetic data, and appropriate presentation of results.
Requisite
Students must have successfully completed BIOS6170 to enrol in this course.
Assumed knowledge
BIOS6940
Assessment items
Written Assignment: Assignment 1
Written Assignment: Assignment 2
Written Assignment: Assignment 3
Written Assignment: Assignment 4
Contact hours
WebLearn GradSchool
Self-Directed Learning
Self-Directed 6 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Not relevant for distance learning mode.