GEN3051 Medical and forensic genetics
Faculty of Science
GEN3051 Medical and forensic genetics is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2022 in Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 2
- Clayton, Malaysia
- Assessment
- Exam 50%
- and 5 other tasks
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before GEN3051
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After GEN3051
No unit lists GEN3051 as a prerequisite in the 2022 handbook.
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
Advances in DNA sequencing and gene editing technologies are leading to rapid improvements in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease. These developments are paving the way towards a future of personalised medicine, where each individual is managed according to their specific genetic make-up. This unit explores the theoretical basis and application of genetic and genomic approaches to both medicine and forensics. Topics include genetic screening, clinical diagnostics, gene mapping, molecular pathology, genetic multi-factorial disease, gene therapy and DNA profiling. The impact and ethics of recent genetic advances on both the individual and society will be discussed. Practical sessions will include mapping of disease loci and its application to risk analysis, critical examination of recent literature, investigation of genetic disorders, genetic testing for disease mutations, and forensic profiling.
Offerings in 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
| Second semester | Malaysia | On campus |
Assessment
- Assessment Task 1 - In–semester testsIn class test20%
- Assessment Task 2 - Cystic fibrosis reportReport7.5%
- Assessment Task 3 - News and views articleOther10%
- Assessment Task 4 - Oral presentationsPresentation10%
- Assessment Task 5 - Forensic genetics reportReport2.5%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)Exam50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Explain the application of modern genetic techniques such as gene mapping, genome-wide association studies and individual genome-sequencing to: i) the characterisation, diagnosis and treatment of simple and complex human diseases; and ii) the identification of individuals and relationships between individuals by forensic genetics;
- 2
Describe how variations in the DNA sequence of a gene can result in changes in gene function that ultimately lead to disease symptoms and explain how improved understanding of this molecular pathology can aid in the treatment of disease, and illustrate the value of model organisms in investigating the molecular pathology of human diseases;
- 3
Demonstrate high-level skills in data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation, and apply these in written scientific reports and oral presentations;
- 4
Apply advanced problem-solving skills to issues of medical and forensic genetics;
- 5
Critically evaluate and summarise new discoveries from the scientific literature in medical and forensic genetics.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures24 hours
- Practical activities36 hours
- Two 1-hour lectures and
- One 3-hour practical session per week
Learning resources
Required resources
A laboratory coat and closed shoes are required for laboratory-based classes.
Where it fits
GEN3051 is part of 9 areas of study in the 2022 handbook.
- BIOCHEM07Additional biochemistry unitsBiochemistryNo reviews yet
- BIOTECH05CoreBiotechnologyNo reviews yet
- BIOTECH07CoreBiotechnologyNo reviews yet
- GENEGENO01Level 3 unitsGenetics and genomicsNo reviews yet
- GENEGENO02Level 2 and 3 unitsGenetics and genomicsNo reviews yet
- GENEGENO03Core unitsGenetics and genomicsNo reviews yet
- GENOBIOI01Core unitsGenomics and bioinformaticsNo reviews yet
- PLNTSCI05Level 3 unitPlant sciencesNo reviews yet
- ZOOLOGY05Additional level 3 unitZoologyNo reviews yet
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Robert Bryson-Richardson
- Professor Sadequr Rahman
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Robert Bryson-Richardson
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for GEN3051?
GEN3051 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is GEN3051 offered?
In 2022, GEN3051 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia.
Does GEN3051 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 50% of the final mark, alongside 5 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include GEN3051?
GEN3051 is part of Biochemistry; Biotechnology; Genetics and genomics; Genomics and bioinformatics; and Plant sciences, and 1 other area of study.