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 will have far- reaching consequences in biology and health related areas. This module intends to cover this fast moving, important field of molecular biology, examining the technology behind it, the rationale and motivation behind the numerous large scale genome sequencing projects, the progress to date, the organisation and structure of genomes, genome projects completed to date, interpreting genomic sequences, bioinformatics, understanding genomes and functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics. The value and potential application of sequence information with emphasis on the human genome and genomes of organisms involved in disease.

The module is delivered entirely in Blackboard as nine activities over nine weeks.
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.
Assessment will be by the submission of three pieces of work related to the activities.

PCs with access to the internet, to access genomic databases and analytical programs.
Access to library resources including BIDS, Athens etc.

Formative feedback will be given over the portfolio of tasks associated with the module topics. Discussion between students will be encouraged allowing peer and tutor feedback to be given.

Summative:- Coursework 100% distributed as follows:

A report on genomic sequencing strategies (1,2) 35%.

Portfolio of bioinformatic work - a report on web-based activities involving the analysis of DNA sequences and navigating genomic data ( 2,3) 35%.

Essay on the impact of genomics on medicine (1,4,5,6) 30%

Full details of assessment are provided in the module handbook

PASS CRITERIA
Grade Points 7 - 9. Coherence and soundness in response. Good understanding of the fundamental concepts, evidence of working beyond delivered material with good use of relevant procedures/examples. Tasks competently completed.
Structure is appropriate although there are weaknesses.

MERIT CRITERIA
Grade Points 10 - 12. Showing breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Assignments are expressed cogently and lucidly. Work is of good quality, well balanced and relevant , able to represent findings/arguments in a clear, coherent manner with supporting evidence. Well-focussed observations and the addressing of all of the key questions. Evidence of wide reading and a thorough critical analysis of the available literature. Good synthesis and evaluation. Theory and practice well linked.

DISTINCTION CRITERIA
Grade Points 13 - 15. Substantial evidence of originality and creativity in response. Shows all the qualities of accomplished work, but exhibits them to a high degree. Accurate and thorough understanding of the subject matter. Much evidence of well incorporated background reading from the literature, beyond the study guide. Excellent use of relevant procedures/examples. Tasks thoroughly and comprehensively completed with presentation and structure of a very high quality.

The key text is:-
S. B. Primrose & R.M Twyman (2003). "Principles of Genome Analysis 3rd edition" Blackwell Science. ISBN 1-40510-120-2

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.

Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Robrts, K., Walter, P. (2002). Molecular Biology of the Cell, 4th edition. Garland Science. ISBN 0-8153-4072-9