Behaviour Genetics, 7.5 credits

Beteendegenetik, 7.5 hp

NBID65

Main field of study

Biology Chemical Biology

Course level

Second cycle

Course type

Programme course

Examiner

Dominic Wright

Director of studies or equivalent

Agneta Johansson

Education components

Preliminary scheduled hours: 26 h
Recommended self-study hours: 174 h

Available for exchange students

Yes
ECV = Elective / Compulsory / Voluntary
Course offered for Semester Period Timetable module Language Campus ECV
6METH Applied Ethology and Animal Biology, Master's Programme 1 (Autumn 2017) 2 1+2+3+4 English Linköping, Valla C

Main field of study

Biology, Chemical Biology

Course level

Second cycle

Advancement level

A1X

Course offered for

  • Applied Ethology and Animal Biology, Master's Programme

Entry requirements

Note: Admission requirements for non-programme students usually also include admission requirements for the programme and threshold requirements for progression within the programme, or corresponding.

Prerequisites

120 ECTS including 90 ECTS in Biology.

Intended learning outcomes

The student will learn and understand the basis of quantitative genetic techniques, in particular how they pertain to behavioural variation. The student will apply such techniques to actual data, as well as discuss the limitations of such techniques and compare and contrast between them. Students will analyse and contrast the genetic architecture underpinning a variety of different behavioural traits, discussing the ramifications for future studies on behaviour.

Course content

The field of behaviour genetics involves the synthesis of ethology, genetics, neurobiology and evolution amongst others, and impacts on a multitude of different fields in biology. Previous to the field’s genesis, behaviour had been thought to be controlled by a ‘black box’, with scant regard to what genes can affect a trait and how they achieve this. As this field has risen to greater prominence, the genes that underpin both the mechanisms and variation present in behaviour are starting to be understood. This course will teach both a combination of the genetic knowledge required to interpret this field, as well as an understanding of the field itself. The course will in addition focus on practical aspects of behaviour genetics, principally the use of statistics and how they are required in the field, experimental design and the like. Aspects as diverse as heritability, genetic mapping, transcriptomics, mutagenesis and transgenics will be covered, whilst a variety of different behaviours will be looked at and dissected, including anxiety, learning and memory, foraging and sleep.

Teaching and working methods

The course will consist of lectures, workshops/ seminars and a combined literature and data analysis project. The students are expected to work independently and manage their time efficiently in order to handle the course assignments. Extra costs due to travelling must be paid by the student.

Examination

HEM1Home examination3 creditsU, 3, 4, 5
UPG2Project3.5 creditsU, 3, 4, 5
UPG1Attendance and participation in seminars1 creditsU, G
Project involves analysing a given data set in small groups (each group with a specific dataset). Students will take the analysis from an initial examination of the data through to more advanced analysis for gene/ QTL identification. They will then describe the results, discuss the ramifications and implications, and design further experiments tailored to their specific dataset.

For the final grade in the course the different grades in the included parts are weighted taking into account their different sizes.

Grades

Four-grade scale, LiU, U, 3, 4, 5

Department

Institutionen för fysik, kemi och biologi

Director of Studies or equivalent

Agneta Johansson

Examiner

Dominic Wright

Course website and other links

Education components

Preliminary scheduled hours: 26 h
Recommended self-study hours: 174 h

Course literature

Anholt, R.R.H., Mackay, T.F.C. Principles of Behavioral Genetics. (Academic Press, 2010).
Code Name Scope Grading scale
HEM1 Home examination 3 credits U, 3, 4, 5
UPG2 Project 3.5 credits U, 3, 4, 5
UPG1 Attendance and participation in seminars 1 credits U, G
Project involves analysing a given data set in small groups (each group with a specific dataset). Students will take the analysis from an initial examination of the data through to more advanced analysis for gene/ QTL identification. They will then describe the results, discuss the ramifications and implications, and design further experiments tailored to their specific dataset.

For the final grade in the course the different grades in the included parts are weighted taking into account their different sizes.

Regulations (apply to LiU in its entirety)

The university is a government agency whose operations are regulated by legislation and ordinances, which include the Higher Education Act and the Higher Education Ordinance. In addition to legislation and ordinances, operations are subject to several policy documents. The Linköping University rule book collects currently valid decisions of a regulatory nature taken by the university board, the vice-chancellor and faculty/department boards.

LiU’s rule book for education at first-cycle and second-cycle levels is available at http://styrdokument.liu.se/Regelsamling/Innehall/Utbildning_pa_grund-_och_avancerad_niva. 

Anholt, R.R.H., Mackay, T.F.C. Principles of Behavioral Genetics. (Academic Press, 2010).

Note: The course matrix might contain more information in Swedish.

I = Introduce, U = Teach, A = Utilize
I U A Modules Comment
1. DISCIPLINARY KNOWLEDGE AND REASONING
1.1 Knowledge of underlying mathematics and science (G1X level)

                            
1.2 Fundamental engineering knowledge (G1X level)

                            
1.3 Further knowledge, methods, and tools in one or several subjects in engineering or natural science (G2X level)

                            
1.4 Advanced knowledge, methods, and tools in one or several subjects in engineering or natural sciences (A1X level)

                            
1.5 Insight into current research and development work

                            
2. PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES
2.1 Analytical reasoning and problem solving

                            
2.2 Experimentation, investigation, and knowledge discovery

                            
2.3 System thinking

                            
2.4 Attitudes, thought, and learning

                            
2.5 Ethics, equity, and other responsibilities

                            
3. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: TEAMWORK AND COMMUNICATION
3.1 Teamwork

                            
3.2 Communications

                            
3.3 Communication in foreign languages

                            
4. CONCEIVING, DESIGNING, IMPLEMENTING AND OPERATING SYSTEMS IN THE ENTERPRISE, SOCIETAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT
4.1 External, societal, and environmental context

                            
4.2 Enterprise and business context

                            
4.3 Conceiving, system engineering and management

                            
4.4 Designing

                            
4.5 Implementing

                            
4.6 Operating

                            
5. PLANNING, EXECUTION AND PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WITH RESPECT TO SCIENTIFIC AND SOCIETAL NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Societal conditions, including economic, social, and ecological aspects of sustainable development for knowledge development

                            
5.2 Economic conditions for knowledge development

                            
5.3 Identification of needs, structuring and planning of research or development projects

                            
5.4 Execution of research or development projects

                            
5.5 Presentation and evaluation of research or development projects

                            

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