Course Syllabus

 

Epigenetics and the Environment

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2018 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Biology, Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science

Prerequisites:

One year of biology and one year of chemistry at university level, including one semester of genetics.

Faculty Member:

Kristine Freude

Program Director:

Lisbeth Borbye 

Time & Place:

Tuesdays and Fridays, 8:30 – 9:50, V10-A32

Faculty

 

kristine

 

 

 

Kristine Freude, Associate Professor

 PhD at Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics and Free University, Berlin, Germany in Human Genetics (2005). Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UC Irvine, CA, USA (2005-2011) Postdoctoral Researcher (2012-2014) University Copenhagen. MSc at Robert Koch Institute and Free University, Berlin, Germany, in 2001 working with Mycobacteria. Assistant Professor (2014-2015) University Copenhagen. Associate Professor (2015-present) University Copenhagen. With DIS since 2016.

 
Course Description

Epigenetic modifications are one of the main mechanisms underlying the phenomenon by which organisms alter gene expression and phenotypic characteristics in response to environmental conditions. This course will look at how the environment imparts its influence on developmental mechanisms to allow for these phenotypic changes through intersecting developmental biology, ecology, and evolution. Aspects related to symbiosis, teratology and the epigenetic origin of adult diseases will also be addressed.

 

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • To understand the concepts that integrate phenotypic plasticity, the environment, evolution and development.
  • To learn the ability to evaluate and criticize experimental evidence in scientific papers.
  • To be able to incorporate scientific knowledge into a broader framework.
  • To be able to develop and present a feasible theoretical hypothesis/experiment regarding ecological developmental biology.

 

Description of Assignments, Testing and Grading

Evaluation 

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class all of the assigned work must be completed.

The factors influencing the final grade and their weights are reported in the following table:

Class participation

10%

Oral presentations at journal clubs

10%

Test 1

20%

Test 2

20%

Test 3

20%

Grant proposal

Written project

15%

Oral presentation

5%

 Class participation covers the following areas:

  1. Attendance and level of preparation
  2. Contribution to class discussions, journal clubs and field studies

Class participation is an important part of this course and to receive full credit students should be present at all the scheduled classes and actively participate.

 

Journal Clubs

Journal clubs are presentations followed by discussions that will be organized throughout the course to analyze certain thematic areas in depth. 

 

Journal clubs are occasions for group work, class discussion, and development of presentation skills; furthermore, they serve as an exercise for critical thinking and reading.

 

The papers presented during the Journal Club are related to the preceding lesson. The presenting group of the week will have to prepare a presentation. The rest of the class should read the paper as well and prepare one or two questions for the class discussion.

 

The presentation should have a logical and clear structure and provide relevant information on the background, methods, conclusions, and future perspectives of the presented work. The original data reported in the paper should be presented and discussed in a clear way.

 

Tests

Three tests will be given during the course, each following one of the three thematic sections addressed in the course. The tests will cover the information taught in that section during the lessons, presented and discussed at journal clubs, and by guest lecturers. Each test is held in class and takes 60 minutes.

 

Grant Proposal

As part of the course you will prepare a Grant Proposal (individually or in small groups). The purpose of the grant proposal is to learn and practice how to design, write, and present a project proposal to receive funding. It aims to develop the students’ ability to think and formulate theoretical hypotheses/experiments and new research initiatives regarding ecological developmental biology. Furthermore, it is an exercise of clear communication targeted at a scientific audience often involved in evaluation committees.  Further descriptions will be given during the course.

 

The grant proposal assignment consists of a written and an oral part. The topic area and a draft of the proposal have to be submitted to the teacher.  The final grant proposal consists of a written assignment and a 10 min power point presentation.  The aim of the presentation is to develop the students’ ability to give scientific talks and to present their own ideas.

 

Field Studies

This course will be accompanied by field studies. The purpose of the field studies is to present active research projects and technologies, to connect course topics to experimental studies, and to serve as inspiration for the grant proposal assignment. Field studies are typically a half-day excursion.

Two field studies will take place during the semester.

Policies

 Laptop policy

Use of laptop computers in class is limited and only allowed for taking notes and ad hoc research within the class discussions. Cell phones and other electronic devices should be turned off and stored away.

 

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

 DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

DIS Contacts

Lisbeth Borbye, Program Director, lbo@dis.dk
Susana Dietrich, Assistant Program Director, sd@dis.dk
Bethany Cucka, Program Assistant, bcu@dis.dk
Science & Health Program Office: Vestergade 10-B12

 

Required Readings

  • Gilbert, Scott F., and David Epel. Ecological Developmental Biology: Integrating Epigenetics, Medicine, and Evolution. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, 2009. Print.
  • Extra material posted on Canvas

Course Summary:

Date Details Due