Module Descriptors
GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS
BIOL60668
Key Facts
Health, Education, Policing and Sciences
Level 6
20 credits
Contact
Leader: Richard Halfpenny
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 26
Independent Study Hours: 174
Total Learning Hours: 200
Pattern of Delivery
  • Occurrence A, Stoke Campus, UG Semester 1
Sites
  • Stoke Campus
Assessment
  • Coursework - Portfolio (2000 words) weighted at 50%
  • Examination - 2 hour exam weighted at 50%
Module Details
Learning Outcomes
1. Relate the principles of genetics and molecular biology to genomics
Knowledge & Understanding
Reflection

2. Understand how genomic data is generated
Enquiry
Knowledge & Understanding

3. Analyse and communicate genomic data
Analysis
Application
Communication

4. Understand the pipeline for big data analysis by bioinformatics
Analysis
Learning
Problem Solving
Assessment Details
1. Portfolio 50% 2000 words
2. Exam 50% 2 hours

Portfolio of activities related to analysis of large-scale molecular biology data to demonstrate ability to analyse, apply, problem solve and communicate results. The portfolio will require students to reflect on their understanding on the principles of genomics and bioinformatics to molecular biology principles.
Exam to test knowledge and understanding of the principles of genomics and bioinformatics and learning of associated technologies.
Indicative Content
The module will cover the dynamic fields of genomics and bioinformatics and their application to the fields of medicine and biotechnology. Topics to be covered:
- Eukaryotic and prokaryotic genome structures
- Technologies to analyse genomes and other types of genomic data
- Analysis of genome data, such as whole genome sequencing
- Other types of big data: transcriptome, proteome, metabolome
- Analysis of big data by bioinformatics
Web Descriptor
Learn how to obtain, analyse and interpret data obtained from genomic sequencing and other large-scale molecular biology approaches using bioinformatic analysis
Learning Strategies
12 weeks of tutor-led lectures to cover the core material of the indicative content. There will be 12 weeks of workshops that will provide activities related to reflection, application, enquiry and problem solving of the core material. Independent study will prepare for assessments and weekly workshop activities that relate to core material.
Texts
Principles of Genome Analysis and Genomics, Twyford and Primrose, 2009, Wiley
Introduction to Bioinformatics, Lesk, 2014, Oxford University Press
Resources
www.genomicsengland.co.uk
www.england.nhs.uk/genomics
www.genome.gov – National Human Genome Research Institute (USA)
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – National Center for Biotechnology Information (USA)
www.expasy.org – Bioinformatics Resource Portal (Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics)
www.ebi.ac.uk – European Bioinformatics Institute