Entry requirements

Alternative 1): Biology 75 ECTS credits including Evolution and Diversity of Organisms, Genetics and Gene Technology , Cell Biology, and Ecology and Population Genetics, and in addition Chemistry 30 ECTS credits; alt. 2): Chemistry 60 ECTS credits including Biochemistry 15 ECTS credits and in addition Biology 45 ECTS credits including Evolution and Diversity of Organisms, Genetics and Gene Technology, and Cell Biology, alt. 3) corresponding knowledge from other courses.

In addition to one of the alternatives above 15 ECTS credits in genetics on advanced level is required.

Learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

� Examplify evolutionary mechanisms at the genomic level.

� Understand and describe

� basic evolutionary processes at the molecular level

� the principles for inference of evolutionary mechanisms based on genomic variation

� the principles for analysis of DNA sequences and gene expressions

� the forces and mechanisms governing changes in genome size and put these in an evolutionary/phylogenetic perspective

� transformation of genomic information to metabolic patterns that describe the whole biochemical capacity of the cell on the basis of an evolutionary perspective

� the connection between evolution at the molecular and phenotype level

� Understand and use of

� statistical methods to reconstruct and analyse evolutionary processes on DNA level

� computer-based methods for gene prediction and gene function

� computer-based methods for metabolic reconstructions

� computer-based methods for molecular kinship analyses

� computer-based methods for comperative studies of whole genome

� computer-based methods for the analysis of microarray data

� Demonstrate an understanding of how we can elucidate and contribute to a more thorought understanding of different perspectives of evolutionary processes at the genomic level.

� Discuss and communicate principles, problems and research findings regarding the course content.

Content

Methods for collection of genetic data at a large scale are in quickly developing, and the number sequenced genomes increases exponentially. The diversity of sequence data for different species but also data on DNA sequence variation between individuals within species give new possibilities to study evolutionary processes at genome level. The course focuses on theory and methods that can be applied on these large amounts of data to elucidate different evolutionary issues. Example is taken from many different organism groups, such as plants, animals and microorganisms. The course includes the following part:

� Bioinformatics

� Prediction of genes, gene function, metabolic reconstruction and phylogenetic analysis

� Evolution of gene structure

� Forces and mechanisms that govern the architecture of the genome processes that lead to decomposition of genom, theory, mechanisms for the spread of selfish and repetitive elements and mechanisms behind duplication of genes and genomes

� Population genomics

� Forces that govern evolution of DNA sequences (mutation, operation, selection, recombination), genetic variation within and between populations, statistical analysis of DNA sequences, association mapping

� Gene expression

� Natural variation in the regulation/expressions of genes and its importance for the evolution

� Project work

In connection to one of research subjects, a practical or literature-based own work that is presented orally and in writing

Instruction

The teaching includes lectures, computer exercises, seminars and projects. Participation in lab practicals, computer assignments and project work is compulsory.

Assessment

Examination is organised during the course and at the end of the course, and includes the theoretical modules (5 credits). Compulsory course part: laboratory sessions (3 credits), seminars (2 credits), project with connected lectures (5 credits).