Genetics of Human Behaviour (BUMK_031)
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.
Prerequisites
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
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.
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.
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.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social work, SDNM | 2 | Master’s | Limited choice | Erika Nagle, Renārs Broks | |
| Social work, SDNMp | 2 | Master’s | Limited choice | Erika Nagle, Renārs Broks |
