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BIOL335 introduces students to the biology and evolution of genomes from across the tree of life, including the human genome and the genetics of human disease. It provides up-to-date knowledge of high throughput methods used in genome sequencing, genome-wide association studies and the study of gene expression. The course also provides students with a strong foundation in bioinformatics as a scientific discipline and as a set of practical tools for analysing and studying genomic data.
Genomics and high-throughput molecular methods are having an enormous impact across the biological sciences, spanning areas as diverse as evolution, medicine, reconstructing human history, biochemistry and even ecology. Genomic technologies are evolving on an unprecedented scale, with datasets now becoming so big that the development of computing technology is under pressure to keep pace. BIOL335 is an advanced course that equips students with essential skills for dealing with genomic data. The course covers advanced topics in DNA sequencing and provides analytical tools for dealing with the resulting wealth of data and discoveries. It provides a practical introduction to bioinformatics for DNA, RNA and protein scientists. It also delves into the biology of genomes -- we will examine major questions that the study of genomes has raised, such as how transposable elements can be so prevalent in eukaryotic genomes, how it is that in bacteria 90% of the genome appears to be protein coding, while in human genomes it is nearer 2%, and how human genome data are transforming the way we study evolution and disease. This course is important for all students interested in studying both the evolution and function of biomolecules. Goals of the course:To provide students with an advanced understanding of bioinformatic and genomic methodologies and how these are applied across a range of biological sciences, and to understand the processes that contribute to the evolution of genome biology and architecture. Cutting edge genome sequencing and functional genomics technologies will be discussed, and bioinformatics methods such as sequence alignment, homology search, motif analysis, phylogenetics, gene prediction, structure prediction/tertiary structure modelling and genome assembly will be covered. The aim is for students to learn both theoretical underpinnings of genomics and bioinformatics, and hand-on data analysis skills required to competently handle large and complex datasets.
At the end of the course, students will have developed the ability to: Knowledge of experimental methods used in genome sequencing and functional genomics Knowledge of how human genome data is being used to study human history and genetic disease. An understanding of how genomes and genome architecture evolve Students will have a firm grasp of the latest genomic methods and the types of questions genomic data can be applied to. Students will have acquired a practical knowledge of fundamental bioinformatic methods in genome analysis. Students will understand and be able to critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of genomic and bioinformatic methods. Students will have developed skills necessary to assess and critically evaluate new bioinformatic tools Will be familiar with online-tools for common problems
30 points from: BIOL209, BIOL231, BIOL253, BCHM253, BIOL271, BCHM221, BCHM222, BCHM202, BIOL213, COSC261, COSC262, COSC265, 200 level MATH, 200 level STAT. Students with no Biology/Biochemistry papers require permission from the Head of School. RP: BIOL333 or BIOL334
BIOL330
BIOL333 or BIOL334
Paul Gardner
Daniela Remus
Library portalLearn Site
PlagiarismIt is essential that you are aware that plagiarism is considered a very serious offence by the Academic community, the University and the School of Biological Sciences. Plagiarism is defined as taking content from another work or author and presenting it, without attribution, as if it is your own work. Content here includes text (sentences or major parts of sentences), display items (graphs and tables), and overall structure (the detailed sequence of ideas). Plagiarism includes:• re-use of previous assignments (even if each individual sentence has been rephrased to say the same thing in different words, if the overall structure is re-used) • copying of another student’s work (with or without their consent)• the unreferenced use of published material or material from the internet e.g. cutting and pasting of paragraphs or pages into an essay.For most pieces of in-term assessment you will be given information concerning the use of direct and indirect quotes from previously published work. If you are in any doubt about appropriate use of published material, please speak with a member of academic staff. If you are still unsure what plagiarism is, then seek advice.It is a School policy that courses may request you submit work electronically for subsequent analysis of originality using Turnitin. Students agree that by taking courses in BIOL, required papers may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of plagiarism. All submitted papers will be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use posted on the Turnitin.com site.
A+ 90% or aboveA 85 – 90A- 80 – 84B+ 75 – 79B 70 – 74B- 65 – 69C+ 60 – 64C 55 – 59C- 50 – 54A restricted pass (R) may be awarded to those who are close to a pass (i.e. an overall score of 48-49.9%) AND who have achieved at least a 40% overall score in both in-course assessment and tests/exams. If an R grade is awarded you gain credit for the course but cannot continue into papers that require this course as a pre-requisite. NB. The R grade is only available at 100 and 200 level - it cannot be awarded for third year papers. Failing grades: D 40-49 E 0–39
If you feel that illness, injury, bereavement or other extenuating circumstances beyond your control haveprevented you from completing an item of assessment worth 10% or more of total course assessment or if thesecircumstances affected your performance in such assessments, you should apply for Special Consideration.Applications for Special Consideration should be submitted via the Examinations Office websitehttp://www.canterbury.ac.nz/regulations/general/general_regs_aegrotat.shtml and notify the course co-ordinatorwithin five days of the assessment or its due date. If this is for medical reasons you should visit a doctor within24 hours of the assessment (application form available on-line or from the Student Health Centre). The SpecialConsideration provisions are intended to assist students who have covered the work of a course but have beenprevented by illness or other critical circumstances from demonstrating their mastery of the material or skills atthe time of assessment – they do not excuse you from doing the assessment within a reasonable time agreed withthe course co-ordinator. You should expect to be required to submit additional work if you miss a majorassignment (e.g. a field trip for which a major write-up is required).In rare cases you may not be able to complete an assessment or attend a field trip, because of involvement ininternational or national representative sport or cultural groups. In such cases you should also apply forSpecial Consideration. Please review the Special Considerations policy because very few kinds of activities willbe eligible for consideration (e.g. holiday trips, birthday parties etc. are not given special status in the Universitypolicy).Students prevented by extenuating circumstances from completing the course after the final date forwithdrawing, may apply for Special Consideration for late discontinuation of the course. Applications must besubmitted to the Examinations Office within five days of the end of the main examination period for thesemester.For further details on Special Consideration applications, please refer to the Examinations Office websitehttp://www.canterbury.ac.nz/regulations/general/general_regs_aegrotat.shtml.
In BIOL, we require a satisfactory level of achievement in both the theoretical aspects of the discipline and in practical activities. This means you must attend all class activities and submit all items of assessment unless you have a very good reason not to (e.g. medical reasons). A student must attain an average score of at least 40% for in-course assessment and average score of at least 40% in the course exam/test, AND score at least 50% overall for the course, to be awarded a passing grade.
We welcome constructive feedback at all times – help us to make this a valuable course for you. We endeavour to remain approachable at all times. If you would rather give feedback anonymously, please use the on-line course survey or talk to lab demonstrators, or your class rep (who will all report back to the staff-student liaison committee that includes a representative from each of the undergraduate classes). Class representatives will be selected from each class at the start of course.
Where do I hand in assignments and then collect them once marked?All assignments should be placed in the designated collection box in the foyer of the 2nd floor of the School of Biological Sciences (near the main office), unless directed otherwise by the course co-ordinator. All assignments must be accompanied by a cover sheet signed by you stating that the submitted work is not plagiarised. Cover sheets are available on top of the collection boxes, or you can download one from the Biology website (under Undergraduate). In addition, you may also be asked to submit your work electronically (via Learn) for analysis in Turnitin. You will be given instructions on how to do this in the assignment handout. Marked assignments can be collected from the Secretaries' Office, unless directed otherwise by the course co-ordinator. Teaching staff will endeavour to return work as soon as possible, and should contact you if there are likely to be any delays that will prevent return within the maximum 4-week timeframe.
Domestic fee $848.00
International fee $3,713.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
This course will not be offered if fewer than 10 people apply to enrol.
For further information see School of Biological Sciences .