Admission requirements
This course is intended for MSc students in the MSc specializations offered by the Institute of Biology with experience in genetics, molecular biology and microbiology.
Description
Molecular genetics is the basis of modern research in life sciences. Fast evolving biotechnologies are sometimes facilitating the game-changing boost in our knowledge and changes our daily life. In this advanced course, we will not only focus on the so-called advanced knowledge that is state-of-the-art, but also revisit some of the ‘advanced’ knowledge in our history, so that the students can understand the holistic picture of where we were from, where we are at now, and where we might head towards in the future. In addition to introducing knowledge about the advanced genetics (3 modules), we will also highlight some of the newly developed or applied biotechnology (3 modules), so that the students are able to understand how the knowledge can be applied in research.
We will also invite the students to engage in this course and form study groups. The purpose of that is to facilitate the students’ independent learning capacity, problem solving skills, and working as in a team. There are two parts of this independent learning activities: (1) demonstrating a chosen topic that is related to the lecture (3 groups, and 30min of presentations with PPT); (2) literature case studies and presentation (6 groups, and 30min of presentations with PPT).
Last but not least, we will invite two top scientists to share their research stories with the students for inspiration.
Course objectives
After completion of this course, students can:
1. explain modern, state-of-the-art methodologies used in the field of biotechnology, with a special focus on genetics.
2. implement state-of-the-art methodologies to find solutions for biotechnology-related problems.
3. assess the advantages and disadvantages of certain technologies and justify the usage of such technologies.
4. apply the acquired knowledge for tackling certain biotechnology-related problems.
Timetable
On Tuesdays from 29 November 2022 until 10 February 2023.
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have sucessfully registered for in MyStudyMap will automatically be displayed in MyTimeTable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information, watch the video or go the the 'help-page' in MyTimetable. Please note: Joint Degree students Leiden/Delft have to merge their two different timetables into one. This video explains how to do this.
Mode of instruction
Lectures, self-study and group-study of papers, and invited seminars..
Assessment method
Group presentations part I – 15% (min. 6,0)
Group presentations part II – 15% (min. 6,0)
Attendance (min. 80%) – 10%
Final written exam – 60% (min. 5,6)
Inspection and feedback on the examination
Date: March 2023; a date will be set in consultation with the students
Reading list
Genetics: https://shorturl.at/CFSV7
Molecular genetics: https://shorturl.at/djLQ5
Registration
From the academic year 2022-2023 on every student has to register for courses with the new enrollment tool MyStudyMap. There are two registration periods per year: registration for the fall semester opens in July and registration for the spring semester opens in December. Please see this page for more information.
Please note that it is compulsory to both preregister and confirm your participation for every exam and retake. Not being registered for a course means that you are not allowed to participate in the final exam of the course. Confirming your exam participation is possible until ten days before the exam.
Extensive FAQ's on MyStudymap can be found here.
Contact
Teachers' Support IBL
Email: BioTeachersSupport@biology.leidenuniv.nl