Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree of at least 180 credits, including 90 credits in biology, including 2 credits in genetics. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• communicate basic concepts related to epigenetics, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and small RNAs,
• describe the knowledge limitation in different areas of epigenetic research,
• compare the genetic and epigenetic modifications,
• describe the role of epigenetic modifications in emergence of new phenotypes,
• describe the role of epigenetic modifications in embryonic development and cell differentiation,
• discuss some mechanisms behind epigenetic modifications and transgenerational inheritance of phenotypes,
• provide examples for the negative or positive role epigenetic modifications can have in adaptation to stress,
• illustrate the possible role of epigenetic modifications in immune system regulation.

Content

The course comprises a historical overview on how epigenetic modifications first were identified and have been described over time; how the epigenome contributes to the development of phenotypes, is inherited, and shapes the phenotypic variation in a population; the role of epigenetic modifications in embryonic development; identification and measurement of epigenetics marks; the role of epigenetics in adaptations to both biotic and abiotic stressors;

potential of epigenetic tools to evaluate and assess epigenetic modifications.

All lectures are given together with seminars and are therefore mandatory.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and literature assignments.

Assessment

Oral presentation of a literature assignment (1 credit); active attendance at compulsory seminars (1 credit) with accompanying lectures.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make an exception from the specified examination method and allow an individual student to be examined in another way. Special reasons can e.g. be notified of special educational support from the university's coordinator for students with disabilities.