PD:Genètica de la Conducta

Teaching plan for the course unit

Català

Castellano

English

General information

Course unit name: Genetics of Behaviour

Course unit code: 563565

Academic year: 2020-2021

Coordinator: Marc Via Garcia

Department: Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology

Credits: 2,5

Single program: S

Estimated learning time

Total number of hours 62.5

Face-to-face and/or online activities

	- Lecture with practical component	Face-to-face		21
	- Group tutorial	Face-to-face		4

Supervised project

Independent learning

22.5

Competences to be gained during study

To have and comprehend knowledge which gives a founding or opportunity to be original in the development and/or application of ideas, in research contexts.
To be able to integrate knowledge and face the complexity of formulating judgements from information that, being incomplete or limited, includes reflections about the social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of this knowledge and judgements.
To comprehend that psychological explanations can differ with different populations and contexts. To recognize and respect human diversity.
To be able to apply information and communication technologies with different goals and purposes (relationship with other professionals, get information, knowledge diffusion…).
To show abilities in the critical evaluation of a scientific research in behaviour and cognition.

Learning objectives

Referring to knowledge

The main goal of this course is to learn the mechanisms by which genetic factors influence normal and pathological behaviour, together with the understanding of the importance of the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors.

Referring to abilities, skills

Know how to analyze and interpret data arising from a genetic research in the context of your discipline.
Be able to apply the main theories about the etiology of brain and behaviour disorders to the conceptualization of a genetic study.
Know how to disseminate the knowledge among other professionals in the field or in related fields, using information and communication technologies.
Be able to discuss the results of a genetic study.

Referring to attitudes, values and norms

Show a constant interest for research, development, and innovation.
Keep an autonomous process of permanent updating of the knowledge generated by other specialists in the same field of work.

Teaching blocks

1. Conceptual and methodological aspects

2. Perspectives in cognition, personality, and psychopathology

3. Applications of behavioral genetics

Teaching methods and general organization

- Lectures by the instructors about the main aspects of the syllabus.
- Workshops to learn how to use public databases of genetic information and to interpret the genetic association studies.
- Practices to statistically analyze the relationships between genetic variants and phenotypes of cognitive/behavioral interest.
- Elaboration of an assay under the supervision of one of the instructors about an article dealing with the genetic basis of behaviour or cognition.

Official assessment of learning outcomes

In the continuous evaluation the final score is obtained from a final test, the evaluation of an essay, and the attendance and active participation in the class sessions. The content and ponderation of each activity is as follows:

- 15% class attendance (1.5 points max. if the attendance is to a minimum of 80% of the sessions; if it is <80%, it will be weighted accordingly).

- 40% supervised activity: elaboration of an essay either individually or in small groups from a list of articles proposed by the instructors. Deadline to be determined with the students at the beginning of the course.

- 45% final exam. The exam will consist on two research problems that have to be chosen and developed from a list of problems proposed by the instructors. The exam will take place through the virtual campus platform and is not on-site. Date to be determined with the students at the beginning of the course.

Re-evaluation: if a student fails the course, he/she can take a re-evaluation exam with the same characteristics than the abovementioned one. The qualification in this reevaluation will constitute 60% of the final score. A new essay can be prepared if the student has failed the essay. Date to be determined with the students. As an orientation, it will take place one week after the publication of the qualifications.

Examination-based assessment

Students following the single evaluation will be evaluated as follows:

- 50% final exam. The exam will consist on two research problems that have to be chosen and developed from a list of problems proposed by the instructors. The exam will take place through the virtual campus platform and is not on-site. Date to be determined with the students at the beginning of the course.

- 50% qualification of an essay of a review of 3-4 articles to be delivered the day of the final exam (10 pages max.).

Re- evaluation: if a student fails the course, he/she can take a re-evaluation exam with the same characteristics than the abovementioned one. The qualification in this reevaluation will constitute 50% of the final score. Date to be determined with the students. As an orientation, it will take place one week after the publication of the qualifications.