NOTE! This course belongs to a previous semester/year
About the course
The aim of this course is to give a thorough introduction to molecular genetic methods used in modern biological research. The course will give a basis for advanced studies in different areas of biology and include practical exercises using both environmental and tissue specific samples. The students will isolate DNA and RNA from different samples and use Q-PCR for quantification of specific functional genes and transcripts. The laboratory work is running for two subsequent weeks and the results are discussed in plenum. The students have to write individual laboratory reports.
The lectures will be closely connected to the practical problems to be solved in the laboratory. Selected articles from the scientific curriculum are topics for seminar presented by the students.
Admission requirements
Use this application form to register on the course and send it to Ingjerd Gauslaa Nilsen at BFE Faculty, University of Tromsø: Admission PhD Courses
Objectives of the course
Knowledge:
Theory of gene and gene expression analyses
Theory of microbial ecology
Theory of nucleic acids extraction
Critical consideration of scientific literature within the topics for the course
How to write a laboratory report
Critical assessment of own results
Skills:
Isolation of DNA and RNA from environmental samples
Isolation of RNA from tissue
cDNA synthesis and quality control
Perform Q-PCR for quantification of gene abundance and expression
Present objectives, methods and results.
Planning molecular laboratory work
Oral and written discussion of results
Oral presentation of scientific topic
General competence:
Theory of environmental genetics
Experimental design
Molecular laboratory work
Evaluation of methods
Discussion of results
Presentation of results
Prerequisites
Credit reduction
If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:
Laboratory report, seminars based on submitted written material from group work, graded project essay, 4 h written exam with grades. Letter grades, A-F.
