At the end of the course, the student will be able to understand and design studies in molecular genetics and genetic engineering, as well as to interpret data from polymorphisms analyses.
To give the basic principles of genetic engineering and experimental approaches in genetics and genomics, for the bachelor in Biology that will subsequently orient her/his studies towards ecology, physiology, microbiology or molecular and cellular biology.
There are four main parts in the course:
- DNA in flux : mechanisms of recombination and transposition, as well as horizontal gene transfer- Genetic engineering : basic approaches in molecular biology and the genetic approach of biological question
- Experimental approaches in genomics : cartography and sequencing of large genomes, and high-throughput experimental approaches
1. DNA in flux
2. Genetic engineering
3. Recombinant plasmids
4. Genetic libraries
5. DNA sequencing
6. Experimental strategies in genetics
7. Genomics and postgenomics
Practical works in the laboratory (work in twos) :
- Transformation
- Mating (conjugation)
- Complementation
The duration of the exam (oral, plus the written part for the practical courses) is 3 hours maximum. The student receives two or three questions related to the course. The student prepares an answer to these questions, illustrated with clear and precise drawings. The student has at least 45 minutes for this preparation. Four students enter the examination room at each start of the morning/afternoon. Seven to eight students may be preparing simultaneously in the same room. The student may explain a difficulty to interpret a question, or ask for a particular information he/she could have forgotten, to be able to answer to the core of the question. Oral interview : the student answers to the question using his/her illustrated preparation. Several questions arise during the interview. The duration of this interview is usually 15 minutes. Remarks and advices : the questions are generally "open", like "What do you know about...". Even for the questions asked during the interview, the student may ask for time for reflection. A central importance is given to the quality of the reflection (understanding of experimental facts, their interpretation, ...) instead of factual details.
The practicals gives 25% of the final note, the theoretical exam corresponds to 75% of the final note. If a student succeeds in the practicals but fails et tha theoretical exam, (s)he can ask to prsent the theoretical exam only at the next session.
A part of the course is based on "Molecular Biology of the Gene" (J. Watson, T. Baker, S. Bell, A. Gann, M. Levine & R. Losick) 6th edition, Pearson International Edition (ISBN : 0-321-50781-9 / 978-0-321-50781-5), available at the Library of the University (BUMP)
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Biology | Standard | 0 | 4 | |
| Bachelor in Biology | Standard | 3 | 4 |