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Genetic Epidemiology (POPH90111)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
OR
Currently enrolled students:
- General information: https://ask.unimelb.edu.au
- Email: Contact Stop 1
Future Students:
- Further Information: MSPGH Website
- Email: Enquiry Form
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
The majority of chronic diseases share a common risk factor: the family history for that disease. Epidemiologists can use families to assess the role of the interrelated genetic and environmental risk factors. This subject provides an introduction to epidemiological methods that are used to help identify genes associated with disease, and to estimate what proportion of the disease can be attributed to measured or unmeasured genetic factors. Concepts, methodologies, and interpretation of familial risk factors for chronic diseases are the major topics in this subject. Topics covered include introduction to population genetics, introduction to molecular genetics, design of family studies including both twin and pedigree studies, segregation analysis, linkage, association studies, estimating the magnitude of the gene effect on disease susceptibility, and genetic screening.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- calculate measures of familial aggregation
- explain that susceptibility to complex diseases is due to both genetic and environmental factors;
- describe how genes can be altered in various ways with varying effects on molecular function;
- recall the fundamentals and limitations of studies designed to identify genes that influence disease susceptibility;
- appraise the significance of disease susceptibility genes in the risk of disease; critically appraise a genetic epidemiology study;
- evaluate a variety of techniques to find genes for disease that use epidemiological studies.
Generic skills
Genetic Epidemiology will allow students to develop skills in:
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Problem-solving
- Finding, evaluating and using relevant information
- Written communication
- Decision-making
- Persuasion and argumentation
- Using computers and statistical software
Last updated: 3 November 2022