This module develops and extends the field of genomics from level2 and the application of bioinformatics in it. In recent years is has become possible for the first time to view the complete genetic information of an organism. The field, genomics, is revolutionary and is having and will have far- reaching consequences in biology and health related areas.
The value and potential application of sequence information with emphasis on the human genome and genomes of organisms involved in disease. Also the value of genomic information for organisms of economic value will be considered.

Basic gene identification from level 2 will be developed. The problem of predicted genes whose function is not known, a major limitation of genomic analysis, will be explored along with strategies to ascribe function - the field of functional genomics.

Within this field the analysis of genomes is taken to deeper levels of understanding. Transcriptomics, proteomics, interactomics and metabolomics are all important strategies used to give value to genomic information and will be covered as will the extension of these into more recent field 'systems biology'. These areas are completely dependant on the computer based analysis of data and are and have been major motivations in the development of bioinformatics.

Use will be made of case studies, the students will produce one of these themselves.

Applied aspects such as the impact of the field on health, agriculture and food production will be a point of focus as well as the more academic aspects in evolutionary biology.

Associated, particularly with health, are the ethical aspects of genome analysis on individuals. Again these will be covered in the module.

Assessment will be by the submission of three pieces of work related to the activities.

- Portfolio of bioinformatic work - a report on web-based activities involving the analysis of DNA sequences and navigating genomic data (2, 3) 30%.
- 2-hour exam (1, 2, 4,5) 40%
- a report: a case study of the post-genomic work on an organism of interest (2,3) 30%.

Full details of assessment are provided in the module handbook
Students will be provided with formative assessment and feedback via discussions in practical classes.

Most of this module will be delivered in Blackboard. The 30 hours of contact time will be tutor-led lectures/tutorials to develop background and context for the Blackboard activities.

Directed independent problem-solving/tasks, to include distributed learning material, guided reading and completion of assessment tasks will occupy the students' time. The activities will guide extensive independent and directed study by the student. A key text will provide the basic structure and fundamental aspects of the course and the activities will develop depth from this basic background through exploration of the numerous web-sites associated with genomics.

Internet and library access.
Appropriately equipped lecture theatres and tutorial rooms (with computer access)

S. B. Primrose & R.M Twyman (2003). "Principles of Genome Analysis 3rd edition" Blackwell Science. ISBN 1-40510-120-2.
S. B. Primrose & R.M Twyman (2004). "Genomics: Applications in Human Biology" Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 1-4051-0819-3.
G. Gibson & S.V. Muse (2004). "A primer of genomic science, 2nd edition". Sinauer. ISBN 0-87893-232-1.

You may also find the following texts useful
T.A. Brown (2002) "Genomes 2nd ed" Blackwell Science. ISBN 1-85996-029-4.
C.Dennis & R. Gallagher (2001). The Human Genome. Palgrave. ISBN 0-333-97143-4.

The internet is a very important resource for this module and the students will have to make wide use of it. Sites are numerous but the following will be important
NCBI at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
ExPasy at http://expasy.org/
GeneMark at http://exon.gatech.edu/GeneMark/
J.Craig Ventor Institute at http://www.tigr.org/
GeneWeb at http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/GenWeb/genweb.html

Study of SHS80201-2 Applied Genetics or equivalent