CAMB 630 - Topics in Human Genetics and Disease

Institution:

University of Pennsylvania

Subject:

Description:

N. Spinner, T. Shaikh, , E. Shore, M. Devoto, S. Grant. Prerequisite(s): CAMB 550 or discuss with faculty. Building on the foundations of the Human Genome and HapMap projects, as well as parallel efforts in model organisms, research in human genetics and genomics is progressing rapidly. Our understanding of basic concepts in genetics, and Mendelian and non-Mendelian human genetic disease is proceeding at an unprecedented pace. This course will provide students with an overview approaches to understanding current problems and techniques in human genetics. The format will be an advanced seminar course, with directed reading and students presentations. Every week, students are expected to participate in a 2-hour class session, and two students will present recent publications in human genetics and disease. After each session, instructors will meet with presenting students for 30 min. to provide individual feedback. Course directors will attend each class, and guest preceptor with relevant scientific expertise may also participate. Students will be assigned readings for the first half of the course, and then select their own papers for the second half of the course. Presentations will be prepared in consultation with course directors. Students must meet with instructors at least one to two weeks prior to the presentation date. In class, the student discussion leaders will i) present background information necessary to understand the assigned paper (10-15 min.), ii) lead discussion of the paper, focusing on critical evaluation of the methods and results, and iii) talk about the future directions for this research. A short written assignment will be due by the end of the course. This written work will be in the form of a review piece or "news and views" format commonly seen in scientific journals. The topic of this review can be based on one of the two topics the student presents in class, or on a separate topic approved by the instructors. The review should be approximately 1,000 words or less (no more than 4 double-spaced pages). Grading: Students will be evaluated based on class participation (25%), their first presentation (25%) and their second presentation (25%), and the written assignment (25%).

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.upenn.edu

Phone Number:

(215) 898-5000

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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