Environmental Molecular Genetics

The aim of this course is to give a thorough introduction to molecular genetic methods and bioinformatics used in modern biological research. The course will give a basis for advanced studies in different areas of biology and include practical exercises followed by computer analyses of own data sets. The students will isolate DNA and RNA from Arctic samples, and prepare samples for sequencing and bioinformatics in the first part of the course. The second part includes the study on the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in plants. The laboratory and computer work is running for four weeks and the results are discussed in plenum. The students have to write individual laboratory reports. The lectures will be closely connected to the practical problems to be solved in the laboratory. Selected articles from the scientific curriculum are topics for seminar presented by the students.

The number of participants is limited to 10.

Local admission, application code 9371 - - Master`s level singular course. Admission requires a Bachelor`s degree (180 ECTS) or equivalent qualification, with a major in biology of minimum 80 ECTS.

Recommended skills corresponding to courses BIO-2601 General Microbiology (10 stp) BIO-2106 Microscopical imaging techniques (10 stp), BIO-2009 Green Biotechnology and Bioenergy (10 stp).

Knowledge:

• Theory of microbial ecology and epigenetics
• Theory of gene and gene expression analyses
• Critical consideration of scientific literature within the topics for the course How to write a laboratory report
• Critical assessment of own results

Skills:

• Isolation of DNA and RNA from environmental samples
• Preparation of samples for sequencing
• Bioinformatics - analysis of sequencing results, sequence assemblies
• Gene expression (qPCR), methylation status analysis
• Present objectives, methods and results.
• Oral and written discussion of results

General competence:

• Theory of environmental genetics
• Experimental design
• Molecular laboratory work
• Evaluation of methods
• Discussion of results
• Presentation of results

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• BIO-3137 Applied Molecular Genetics 10 stp
• BIO-3134 Applied Molecular Genetics 20 stp

Language of instruction and examination

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.

Exchange students and Fulbright students: 1 October for the spring semester and 15 April for the autumn semester. 

One report and an oral exam. The final grade for the course is based upon a complete evaluation of the report and the oral exam. The exam will be assessed with a graded scale of five marks from A to E for pass and F for fail. Students require to attain a pass grade (A to E) in the laboratory report in order to be able to take the oral examination. There will be a re-sit examination for students that did not pass the previous ordinary examination.