Bioinformatics

General skills The course of Genetics and computational genomics provides students with a basic knowledge of Genetics aimed at understanding the rules of inheritance, their molecular bases, their main applications and their implications for evolution. In addition, the course will allow students to understand how genetic information is encoded at the DNA level and how it contribute to phenotypic variability. Fundamentals concepts in functional genetics and evolution will be reconsidered in light of the sequencing and re-sequencing projects. The student will be also provided of practical and theoretical tools to solve genetic problems and to use databases for storage, management, analysis, and visualization of genetic data. Specific skills A) Knowledge and understanding -Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of the genetic material -Knowledge and understanding of the rules of genetic transmission -Knowledge and understanding of mutations and their implications -Basic knowledge on the dynamics of genes in populations as well as on the genetic mechanisms underlying evolution - Knowledge and understanding of informatic methods used for genomic analyses B) Applying knowledge and understanding - Usage of a proper genetic terminology - Identification of the right procedures to solve genetic problems - Formulation of hypotheses on the hereditary transmission of characters - Constructing and interpreting genetic maps and genealogical trees - Acquisition of conceptual tools for the genetic dissection of biological systems - Management of genomic browsers and programs for storage, management analysis, and visualization of “big data” C) Making judgements - Acquisition of a critical judgment capacity on solving problems of formal genetics, through the study of the evolution of the gene concept from Mendel to the present day and the detailed analysis of some fundamental experiments - Addressing questions for the elaboration and deepening of the gained information D) Communication skills - Communicating the genetic concepts acquired during the course with appropriate terminology E) Learning skills - Logically connecting the acquired knowledge - Identification of the most relevant topics of the issues discussed during the course