Syllabus 2008/2009 FMSN01

Syllabus academic year 2008/2009
(Created 2008-07-17.)

STATISTICAL GENETICS

FMSN01

Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Level: A (Second level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand. FMSN01 overlap following cours/es: FMS160, MAS235 och MASM16. Optional for: Pi4, Pi4bm. Course coordinator: Anna Lindgren, Director of studies, anna@maths.lth.se, Matematisk statistik. Recommended prerequisits: A basic course in mathematical statistics and an additional course in stochastic processes. Assessment: Home exam, compulsory computer exercises, and oral project presentation. The course grade is based 90% on the home exam and 10% on the project presentation. Parts: 2. Home page: http://www.maths.lth.se/matstat/kurser/fms160mas235/.

Aim
In a theoretical as well as practical way teach the student the most fundamental statistical methods in genetic epidemiology.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be familiar with basic concepts of genetics and molecular biology, and be able to relate those to mathematical models, particularly in genetic epidemiology,
be able to explain the basic principles of linkage and association analysis, relate the methods to each other, and understand their advantages and limitations,
have developed the ability to extend and apply methods from previous courses in mathematical statistics, in a genetic context.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

given a proper data set and a well defined problem within genetic mapping, be able to choose method, perform the calculations and evaluate the result,
be able to use existing software to analyse data within genetic epidemiology,
be able to orally present the result of a minor project in genetic epidemiology,
be able to present the line of actions and conclusions in solving a problem in genetic epidemiology,
be able to, in writing, use subject-specific statistical terms and arguments in a proper way,
have gained experience to collectively, in a small group of students, work with project-based problem-solving.

Contents
The course covers methods for using statistical methods in gene mapping for human hereditary diseases, i.e. localising corresponding chromosome positions in the human genome.

Initially, an introduction to statistical genetics is presented, including genetical definitions. Secondly, theory and methodology within the fields of parametric- and nonparametric linkage analysis and association analysis are discussed.

Literature
Ziegler, A., König, I.: A Statistical Approach to Genetic Epidemiology. Wiley-VCH 2006. ISBN 978-3-527-31252-8

Parts

Code: 0108. Name: Written Examination.
Higher education credits: 6. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Written take home examination.

Code: 0208. Name: Project.
Higher education credits: 1,5. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Written and oral project report.