BS982-7-AU-CO:
Genomics
2023/24
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
31 August 2023
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MSC C56012 Biotechnology,
MSC C74112 Molecular Medicine,
MSC C13312 Cancer Biology,
MSC C45012 Health Genomics,
MSCIB099 Biomedical Science,
MSCIBA99 Biomedical Science (Including Placement Year),
MSCIBB99 Biomedical Science (Including Year Abroad),
MSCIC098 Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Including Year Abroad),
MSCIC099 Biochemistry and Biotechnology (Including Placement Year),
MSCICZ99 Biochemistry and Biotechnology,
MSCIC559 Microbiology and Biotechnology
This module covers the latest developments in genomic technologies: high-throughput sequencing and computational genomics.
The module has a strong practical component to provide a realistic understanding on how a genome project is carried out.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide a general understanding of current genomics approaches, including genome sequencing and comparative genomics.
- To learn how to study your own genomic data, using state-of-the-art computational resources.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Understand the basics of genome sequencing.
- Process high-throughput sequencing data to produce assembled genomes.
- Annotate genomic sequences.
- Know how prokaryotic and eukaryotic genomes are organised.
- Analyse re-sequencing data to study genome variation.
- Demonstrate the ability to plan and develop a genome sequencing project.
- Understand the theoretical basis of sequence similarity search.
- Detect evolutionary related sequences and build phylogenetic trees.
Skills for your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)
- Computational Analysis of large datasets (Big Data).
- Interpretation of high-throughput biological experiments.
- Statistics.
The sequencing of the human genome is one of the biggest achievements of this century. This endeavour resulted from the development of automated sequencing and the use of computers for sequence assembly and annotation. Nowadays, thousands of genomes have been sequenced and the number is increasing exponentially.
Genomics is leading to major advances in biotechnology and molecular medicine, e.g. by allowing genomes from thousands of organisms to be mined for novel traits, which can enhance the design of diagnostic tools, and provide: better vaccines, improved treatments for disease, better detection of pollutants, and over-production of antibiotics.
This module will be delivered via:
- One 1-hour lecture per week.
- Four 4-hour computer-based practicals.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Genomics Data Analysis Exercises - To be submitted via Moodle - Do Not Submit on FASER |
|
70% |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
30% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Antonio Marco, email: amarco@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Ben Skinner, Dr Metodi Metodiev, Dr Vladimir Teif
School Graduate Office, email: bsgradtaught (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create a full email address)
Yes
No
No
Dr Lakjaya Buluwela
Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine
Reader in Cancer Medicine
Dr Emma Denham
University of Bath
Senior Lecturer in Microbiology
Available via Moodle
Of 63 hours, 16 (25.4%) hours available to students:
3 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
44 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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