Medicine, Human Genomics and Bioinformatics, Second Cycle, 15 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

Knowledge and understanding
After completing this course the student shall be able to understand the basic principles regarding

• human genome structure and function
• genome-wide expression on various levels (OMICS)
• molecular networks
• databases for regulatory networks and pathways
• biosignature mining and predictive analysis

 

Skill and ability
After completing this course the student will

• apply theoretical knowledge to design human experimental studies focusing on genome-wide profile assessment
• find a priori knowledge in pathway and network databases
• apply bioinformatics tools for screening for biosignatures in OMICS-data

Judgemental ability and attitude
After completing this course the student will have the ability to

• critically assess state-of-the-art research in functional medical genomics
• apply knowledge to discuss ethical issues related to patient-related genome-wide data

Main content of the course

The course provides an in-depth understanding of structure and function of the human genome together with an overview over different concepts of regulatory networks and methods to screen for predictive biosignatures. Special focus is placed on the following points:

• individual genome-wide sequence variation
• genome-wide expression in terms of RNA (coding and non-coding), proteins and metabolites
• gene-regulatory networks, transcription factor networks, protein-protein interaction networks
• specific examples for databases covering regulatory networks and pathways
• computer laboratory on bioinformatics tools to find diagnostic, prognostic and predictive patterns in functional profiling data

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars, wet- and computer-laboratory work, tutorial group exercises and case methodology.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Human Genomics and Bioinformatics: Seminars, 3 credits (Code: A100)
Individual oral presentations

Human Genomics and Bioinformatics: Written Report, 4 credits (Code: A200)
Individual written reports for both wet- and computer-laboratory work

Human Genomics and Bioinformatics: Written Examination, 5 credits (Code: A300)
Individual written examination: one regular occasion and two re-examination appointments are available annually

Human Genomics and Bioinformatics: Tutorials, 3 credits (Code: A400)
Base group discussions requiring active participation

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2019-01-15, ORU 2019/00107), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Human Genomics and Bioinformatics: Seminars
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Human Genomics and Bioinformatics: Written Report
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Human Genomics and Bioinformatics: Written Examination
Grades used are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Human Genomics and Bioinformatics: Tutorials
Grades used are Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

To receive the mark Pass with Distinction (VG) for the entire course, the individual written examination must have been completed with a Pass with Distinction (VG) grade.

Specific entry requirements

Bachelor of Science in Biomedicine, Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Science, Master of Science in Medicine, or Master of Science in Veterinary Medicine. Alternatively a first-cycle qualification comprising at least 180 credits of which at least 90 credits are for specialised study in one of the main fields of study biomedicine, biomedical laboratory science, biology or medicine. The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English 6" or "English B" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

This course is given in English. The course is mandatory for students in the masters degree programmes in Nutritional Molecular Medicine and Bioinformatics, Cardiovascular Medicine and Innate Immunity in Health and Disease at Örebro University.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Obligatory literature do not exist.
Recommended literature will be presented in the study guide (separate document).
Scientific research articles will be used.