Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Genetics of Human Behaviour

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
BUMK_031
Branch of Science
Biological sciences; Environmental biotechnology; Genetics; Medical biotechnology
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Social Welfare and Social Work
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Biology and Microbiology
Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, bmk@rsu.lv, +371 67061584

About Study Course

Objective

To improve awareness of the role of human genetic diversity in public communication processes, as well as to promote tolerant attitudes towards people with behavioural change.

Preliminary Knowledge

Knowledge of interaction between a human and the environment and other living creatures, the diversity of living organisms, the structure and function of the eukaryote cell, the types of cell division: mitosis, meiosis, and prior knowledge of heredity, variability, and patterns of inheritance of traits.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.As a result of completing the course, students will be able to describe basic principles of human genetics; evaluate the importance of Mendel’s experiments in the development of genetics; evaluate the practical application of classical genetic patterns; explain types of allelic and non-allelic gene interaction types and the effects of gene interaction on the expression of traits in the phenotype; explain key processes in molecular genetics; know the main phases of the human genome research and the results obtained; analyse the role of environmental factors in the functioning of the genome and the changes in the genome caused by environmental factors; know the genetic diseases that are characterised by behavioural changes, analyse their potential mechanisms of occurrence.

Skills

1.As a result of completing the course, students will analyse situations regarding the genetic aspects of human behaviour; analyse clinical case descriptions, suggest possible solutions; draw and analyse family trees; solve tasks in classical and molecular genetics; identify different types of metaphase chromosomes with the microscope, explain the relationship between structure and functions or pathologies; perform DNA extraction, sorting and sequencing; discuss the role of the social worker in the genetic counselling of clients.

Competences

1.Students will know how to obtain a credible family history, identify clients who need genetic counselling, analyse behavioural changes; evaluate the role of genetics in social work practices.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
A presentation on the role of a social worker in the genetic counselling of clients should be prepared in accordance with the criteria discussed at the lesson. Family trees for corresponding inheritance types should be selected in the literary sources. Descriptions of clinical cases for the discussion on genetic diseases should be created.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
The students’ ability to present the prepared material according to the topic (20%); the ability to use theoretical knowledge in solving genetical tasks and in discussions (20%) are assessed. Student participation in practical classes (30%) and compliance with the methodology in laboratory work (10%) are assessed. At the end of the course, an oral class test (20%).

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Basic principles of human genetics. Human genome organisation.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Genes and environment. Role of environmental factors in the functioning of the genome, changes in the genome caused by environmental factors.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Genetic diseases inherent of behavioural change.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Genetic diseases inherent of behavioural change.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome. Hyperactivity syndrome. Role of genes of the dopamine and serotonin system in the aetiology of antisocial behaviour.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome. Hyperactivity syndrome. Role of genes of the dopamine and serotonin system in the aetiology of antisocial behaviour.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

Practical application of classical genetic patterns.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

Genetic interaction. Inheritance patterns of blood groups.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

DNA extraction and sorting, PCR, DNA sequencing. Demonstration of methods.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

DNA extraction and sorting, PCR, DNA sequencing. Demonstration of methods.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

Types of inheritance. Family tree analysis. Clinical case analysis.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

Role of a social worker in genetic counselling of clients.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
PART-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Basic principles of human genetics. Human genome organisation.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Genes and environment. Role of environmental factors in the functioning of the genome, changes in the genome caused by environmental factors.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Genetic diseases inherent of behavioural change.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Genetic diseases inherent of behavioural change.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome. Hyperactivity syndrome. Role of genes of the dopamine and serotonin system in the aetiology of antisocial behaviour.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, Tourette syndrome. Hyperactivity syndrome. Role of genes of the dopamine and serotonin system in the aetiology of antisocial behaviour.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

Practical application of classical genetic patterns.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

Genetic interaction. Inheritance patterns of blood groups.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

DNA extraction and sorting, PCR, DNA sequencing. Demonstration of methods.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

DNA extraction and sorting, PCR, DNA sequencing. Demonstration of methods.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

Types of inheritance. Family tree analysis. Clinical case analysis.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Laboratory
2

Topics

Role of a social worker in genetic counselling of clients.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
24 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Carey G. Human Genetics for Social Sciences. Sage Publ., 2003.

Additional Reading

2.

Behavior Genetics. An International Journal. Devoted to Research in the Inheritance of Behavior

3.

Brock L. Eide. The dyslexic advantage. 2011.

4.

Human genome editing. Science, Ethics, and Governance. The National Acad. Press, 2017. https://doi.org/10.17226/24623.

Other Information Sources

1.

Rokasgrāmata skolotājiem, strādājošiem specialižetajās iestādēs bērniem ar psihiskās veselības traucējumiem. Metodisks materiāls. Eiropas sociālā fonda projekta sagatavots materiāls. 2009.

2.

Evija Landrāte, Sarmīte Tūbele. Autisms un saskarsme. Raka. - 212 lpp.

3.

Sarmīte Tūbele. Disleksija vai lasīšanas traucējumi. Raka. -161 lpp.

4.

Jānis Pavulēns. Bērnu uzvedības problēmas - izaicinājumi un risinājumi. file://Berni_Pavulens.pdf