Natural Sciences

General skills The course 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 variability and evolution. In addition, the course provides basic notions of how genetic information encoded in nucleic acids is converted into proteins and of the molecular mechanisms leading to development of mutations, genetic diseases or cancer progression. The course is focused on the analysis of the most significant experimental approaches in the history of genetics, with the aim of helping students developing problem solving skills. Dublin Descriptors 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 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 - utilizing basic biostatistical methodologies for data analysis and hypothesis testing 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 CFU CONTACT HOURS 6 Lectures Seminars Laboratory exercises Exercises Field work