BS939-7-AP-CO:
Analysis of Genomic Data
2024/25
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn & Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 21 March 2025
30
08 April 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MSC C45012 Health Genomics
This module covers data analysis methods in Health Genomics.
The module is organized in two weeks of teaching, 6 hours a day, in which students have specific training in the theoretical basis of R programming, statistics, databases and analysis, followed by hands on practical sessions. The contents include data gathering, databases, programming in R, statistical analysis, and a wide range of techniques to analyse genomics data: genome assembly, gene expression, epigenetics and association studies.
The aims of this module are:
- To provide a solid training in data handling and analysis with R, as well as in techniques to retrieve, store and access genomics data.
- To train students in a wide range of computational techniques to handle and analyse genomic data of relevance in health and disease.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Use R programming language and demonstrate self-direction and originality in data analysis of genomic data.
- Comprehensive understanding of frequently used data analysis techniques.
- Critical awareness of current issues in genomic data analysis.
- Understand genome-wide association studies and related techniques.
- Demonstrate the ability to conduct a full data analysis project and write a scientific report.
Syllabus
Week 1 (Autumn)
- Computing.
- Introduction to R2.
- Data structures.
- Scripts and Functions.
- Reading/writing Data.
- Conditionals and Looping.
- Plotting.
- Databases.
- Statistics.
- Introduction to statistical analysis.
- Linear Models.
- Multivariate Analysis.
Week 2 (Spring)
- Bioinformatics.
- Introduction to UNIX/Linux and High-Performance Computing Clusters.
- Genome sequencing and re-sequencing.
- Comparative genomics.
- Gene Expression.
- Epigenetics I: protein-DNA interactions.
- Epigenetics II: methylation.
- Health Genomics Data Analysis.
- Genome-wide association studies.
- Functional annotation.
- Ancestry.
- Writing a Scientific Report.
This module will be delivered via:
- Two sessions (morning and afternoon) per day over two weeks.
Each session will have a 1-hour theoretical introduction followed by a 2-hour practical component.
This module is mostly a practical module and the emphasis is in the ability to solve problems and analyse genomics data. The students are given relevant materials to prepare the sessions ahead. During the sessions they will be working on real datasets and will have full support from instructors and GLAs. They will be given additional bibliography and exercises to work on their own time.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Worksheet (30%) Moodle non submission on Fayser as on Moodle |
|
|
| Coursework |
Data Analysis Report (70%): |
21/03/2025 |
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Benjamin Skinner, email: b.skinner@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Benjamin Skinner, Dr Antonio Marco
Yes
No
No
Dr Jess Tyrrell
University of Exeter
Senior lecturer
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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