This module is a core requirement for students taking Biochemistry and Biological Sciences (Genetics & Molecular Biology route), and may be taken as an option by Forensic Biology and Pharmacology students.
This module introduces you to the processes involved in maintaining genome stability, causing genome variability and controlling the coding potential of the genome. Mutation, recombination and transposition, and the interplay between them, are examined as causes of genome instability. The impact of genome instability/change upon gene expression, and its control, links these two main themes of the module. The module also introduces you to bioinformatics and sequence analysis. The use of sequence databases and analysis tools permits the analysis of gene/genome variability, along with the patterns of variability and conservation of sequences. This strand of the module gives an introduction to an area of increasing importance in many areas of bioscience research, including molecular diagnostics and drug development.
Core factual material is provided via lectures, including demonstrations of the databases and analysis tools in the case of the bioinformatics elements, with additional resources being placed on Canvas. Over 50% of the teaching time in the module is spent on computer and laboratory practical work.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
This module is delivered through a variety of lectures, tutorials and practical computer and laboratory sessions. Lectures are designed to introduce students to the key features of each topic and prepare students for further self-directed study that is required to achieve the learning outcomes of the module. Bioinformatics lectures will include demonstrations of the various online resources and analysis tools. Practical computer sessions, both supervised and independent, are used to aid the development of IT skills required to manipulate and exploit biological sequence data. Tutorials, along with some activities within lectures, will allow students to check their progress (‘feedback') and to guide them in preparation for future assessments, such as the presentation (‘feed forward'). The practical laboratory sessions provide students with experience of the techniques and materials used to investigate the genome. Additional learning resources for the module will be delivered on Canvas and through directed reading. These additional resources will include the use of an online social book making/annotation tool, such a Diigo, to encourage peer-support of learning within the various areas of the curriculum.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 30 one hour keynote lectures; 6 tutorials of 1 hour each; 2 laboratory practicals sessions of 1½ hours each; 10 x 3 hour and 4 x 2 hour computer sessions | 77 |
| Guided independent study | Self-directed computer sessions, tutor-directed learning exercises, report writing, presentation preparation, preparation for open book timed essay, student independent study | 223 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment is through a presentation (worth 15%) and report (worth 35%) based upon a bioinformatics mini-project and an end of module examination (worth 50%), which will require students to answer essay style questions.
A range of formative assessments undertaken both in class and during independent study, of relatively short duration will be set on content determined by the module team. This will provide regular and detailed feedback to students so that they can develop an awareness of their rate and level of progress and of their strengths and weaknesses.
To prepare for the bioinformatics coursework assessment students will undertake formative practical sessions with regular input and support from the module team.
Preparation for the presentation assessment will involve student driven development of criteria and marking schemes, based upon reflective discussion of good/bad presentations. These discussions will be initiated in a Canvas discussion or on a Padlet 'wall', then criteria consolidated in a face-to-face tutorial and finally the weighting for criteria will be decided in a second Canvas discussion or on a Padlet 'wall'.
The laboratory practical session will be formatively assessed in an open book timed essay that will be peer marked. On-going discussion with the module team will assist the student in the development of strategies for improvement and enhancement.
Work in laboratory and computer practicals, preparation and delivery of presentations and discussion within tutorials will enable the development of key skills in communication, teamwork, presentation, numeracy, ICT and independent learning. Thus, key employability skills such as communication, teamwork and self-management will be enhanced from level 5, while higher level 6 skills in leadership and networking will also be developed during presentations and practical sessions.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1. Describe the processes by which genetic information may be altered, including by mutation, recombination and transposition. | Formative open book essay (F) Unseen examination paper (S) |
| 2. Discuss and explain the regulation of gene expression. | Unseen examination paper (S) |
| 3. Demonstrate practical skills involved in the investigation of the genome and analysis of the regulation of gene expression. | Practical laboratory sessions (F) |
| 4) Identify and discuss basic bioinformatics databases, including their structures, properties and relationships. | Bioinformatics practical/workshop sessions (F), Presentation (S), Individual bioinformatics research report (S) |
| 5) Critically evaluate the key techniques used to search databases, to carry out pairwise and multiple sequence alignment and to predict protein or gene structure. | Bioinformatics practical/workshop sessions (F), Presentation (S), Individual bioinformatics research report (S) |
| 6) Demonstrate appropriate IT skills to enable them to research the theoretical aspects of the module. | Bioinformatics practical/workshop sessions (F), Presentation (S), Individual bioinformatics research report (S) |
| 7) Produce detailed, coherent, scientific reports. | Formative open book essay (F), Individual bioinformatics research report (S) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 3 hour unseen examination | Written exam | 50% |
| Oral presentation | Practical exam | 15% |
| Individual bioinformatics research report | Coursework | 35% |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any element of assessment is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
The current editions of the following:
Watson, J.D. et al. Molecular Biology of the Gene, Pearson
Alberts, B. et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell, Garland
Agostino, M. Practical Bioinformatics, Garland Science
Krebs, J.E., Goldstein, E.S. and Kilpatrick, S.T. Lewin's Genes X, Jones and Bartlett
Young, P.G. Exploring Genomes. Web-based Bioinformatics Tutorials, Freeman
Lesk, A.M. Introduction to Bioinformatics, Oxford University
In addition relevant journal articles and reviews will be recommended by the module team on individual topics and will form a core part of the students' independent study within this module.