Genetics
Code: 100891 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry | FB | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Laura Rubio Lorente
- Email:
- laura.rubio@uab.cat
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
There are no official prerequisites. Even so, a basic knowledge of probability, combinatorics, and statistics is recommended. On the other hand, to ensure the student will be able to follow the classes and achieve the proposed learning outcomes, a thorough comprehension of the cellular processes studied in cytology is advised, with particular emphasis on the cell cycle, mitosis, and meiosis.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The overall objective of this course is that students receive a general introduction to the basic principles of Genetics to understand the laws of heredity, its cytological and molecular basis, and its variation at the population level.
The training objectives are as follows:
1) Understand the need for the study of genetics in the context of biochemistry.
2) Know the laws of the transmission of genetic information, the chromosomal theory of inheritance, and how to make genetic maps and interpret pedigrees.
3) Know the structure, organization and function of the genetic material.
4) Know how to use and interpret genomic data.
5) Know the main sources of genetic variability in populations.
Learning Outcomes
- CM07 (Competence) Understand the ethical issues related to genetics, demonstrating respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
- KM11 (Knowledge) Define the basics of genetics, reproduction and evolution.
- KM13 (Knowledge) Describe the genetic alterations that form the basis of certain pathologies.
- SM08 (Skill) Interpret the results of cell biology, karyotyping, and chromosomal banding experiments.
- SM09 (Skill) Identify the type of inheritance of a given genotype-phenotype based on a pedigree.
Content
Unit 1: Genetics and its fundamental concepts.
Unit 2: Genetic material.
Unit 3: Sexual reproduction and inheritance.
Unit 4: Sex's influence on inheritance patterns.
Unit 5: Epigenetics and sex.
Unit 6: Non-Mendelian inheritance.
Unit 7: Genetic interaction and phenotype.
Unit 8: The phenotype.
Unit 9: Genetic linkage and recombination.
Unit 10: Chromosomal mapping.
Unit 11: Chromosomal mutations.
Unit 12: Gene changes.
Unit 13: Quantitative inheritance and heritability.
Unit 14: Population and evolutionary genetics.
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Group tutorials | 2 | 0.08 | KM11, KM13, SM08, SM09, KM11 |
| Lectures | 30 | 1.2 | CM07, KM11, KM13, CM07 |
| Problem classes and seminars | 10 | 0.4 | KM11, KM13, SM08, SM09, KM11 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Individual tutorials | 9 | 0.36 | CM07, KM11, KM13, SM08, SM09, CM07 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Bibliographic search | 9 | 0.36 | CM07, KM11, KM13, CM07 |
| Consultation of recommended books | 9 | 0.36 | KM11, KM13, KM11 |
| Problem resolution | 15 | 0.6 | KM13, SM08, SM09, KM13 |
| Study | 60 | 2.4 | CM07, KM11, KM13, SM08, SM09, CM07 |
The teaching methodology is based on two approaches: a theoretical and a practical one.
Theoretical approach
The theoretical part aims to provide the basic knowledge needed to understand each topic. Furthermore, students will have to deepen these concepts autonomously to improve their knowledge and develop non-guided learning strategies. To facilitate these tasks, bibliographic, multimedia, and interactive material will be provided. Finally, individual tutoring sessions are planned if students require them. These sessions should allow the professor to calibrate the progress of the students and to help them understand the most complex concepts.
Practical approach
Problem-solving material will be provided to learn how to apply theoretical knowledge to practical exercises. The students will find the problems to solve in the Virtual Campus, and they will work them by applying theoretical concepts concomitantly with mathematical and statistical tools. Students can also request individual tutoring sessions to facilitate the understanding of the most complex problems.
* Use of AI by students
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| problem-solving activities, and questionnaires | 40% | 2 | 0.08 | KM11, SM08, SM09 |
| Two midterm exams (First: 30%; second: 30%) | 60% | 4 | 0.16 | CM07, KM11, KM13, SM08, SM09 |
CONTINUOUS EVALUATION:
The competencies of this subject will be assessed through continuous evaluation, which will include, on the one hand, two written tests covering theory and problem-solving; and on the other hand, the evaluation of the exercises carried out during problem-solving classes, as well as follow-up quizzes. The evaluation system, considering the specific weight of each component, will be as follows:
1. Exams. There will be 2 midterm exams to evaluate the progressive understanding and acquisition of the contents. The exams weight 60% of the final mark. To pass the exam it is necessary to have a 5.
2. Evaluation of in-class exercises and follow-up quizzes. This component accounts for 40% of the final grade for the course.
3. Retake examination. It will correspond to the part or parts not previously passed. It may also serve to improve the mark (in this case, evaluation will be of the whole course). A minimum of 5 is needed in every evaluation to pass the course.
To be eligible for the retake process, the student should have been previously evaluated in a set of activities equaling at least two thirds of the final score of the course. Thus, the student will be graded as "No Avaluable" if the weighthing of all conducted evaluation activities is less than 67% of the total final score. Students will have the right to request a review of their exam grade.
SINGLE EVALUATION:
The single evaluation consists of a single synthesis test in which the contingents of the entire program of the subject are evaluated. The test will consist of multiple-choice questions (50%), problems (30%), and topics to be developed (20%). The grade obtained in this synthesis test will represent 100% of the final grade of the course.
The single evaluation test will coincide with the data test scheduled in the calendar to give the continuous evaluation test. To pass the test and, therefore, the assignment, a 5 is required. However, in order for the test to be graded, the student must attempt at least 50% of the multiple-choice questions, 50% of the problems, and 50% of the essay-type questions; otherwise, the student will be marked as "not evaluable." The review of the final grade follows the same procedure as the continuous assessment.
Bibliography
- Genetics : a conceptual approach / Benjamin Pierce. 2020. https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.are.uab.cat/lib/uab/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=6273959
- Genetics for dummies by Tara Rodden. 2010. https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.are.uab.cat/doi/book/10.1002/9781118269275
- 141 Problemas de genética resueltos paso a paso / César Benito Jiménez. 2015.
You should take a look an the Moodle space of the subject.
Software
No specific software is available.
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 321 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 322 | Catalan | first semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 32 | Spanish | first semester | afternoon |