HudsonAlpha/UAB/UAH Genomics Graduate Course
Overview
This course will cover the conceptual basis, major discoveries, and unsolved problems in human genomics, with an emphasis on disease applications. The goal is to make students conversant with the structures, functions, and natural histories of human genomes, the computational and experimental methods used to establish that knowledge, the applications of genomics to medical research, and the broader impacts of genomic research on the world.
Class Sessions
Students are expected to attend a total of 9 sessions on Friday mornings from 9 to 11 am from February 26, 2016 through April 29, 2016, with classes cancelled on March 25, 2016 for spring break. Each Friday session will include three 40-minute blocks, with each block consisting of either a subject-specific lecture or a discussion of a piece of primary literature. For each paper discussion, one or two students (depending on the size/scope of the paper(s) to be discussed) will be responsible for preparing a short (5 to 10 minute) presentation that provides a broad overview of the work, including key background and context, highlights of the major results, and longer term consequences. After the presentation, all students will participate in an interactive discussion; a lecturer will moderate but students are expected to have read the manuscript, prepared questions or comments about it, and actively contribute to and drive the conversation. Generally, paper discussion will happen 1 week after the lecture on a similar topic so students are exposed to relevant background prior to finishing their presentation and/or question/comment preparation on that paper.
Analysis and Help Sessions
Lecturers and/or teaching assistants will make themselves available for three sessions throughout the course to aid students with any questions about material discussed in either the lectures or paper discussions. They will also provide hands-on assistance with the projects that students are expected to complete (see below). Dates and times will be selected based on student input and lecturer/TA availability.