Lectures will cover theoretical framework and methods in Quantitative Molecular Behavior Genetics and provide insight to intriguing current results from various research fields. The course will address questions such as: How much do genes influence behavior? How do genes influence behavior? How do scientists identify genes involved in behavior? Studies on inherited components of human characteristics will help students develop a scientific approach towards the “causes” of various human behaviors.
Main topics:
(09/06) Course outline and introduction
(09/13) Reading online materials for topic 1:
Variability of behavior, individual and group differences. Genes and behavior: nature and nurture.
Concepts and principles important to understand the quantitative genetic approach.
Human Genome Project. Genome Projects of other species.
(09/16 - Thu 10 -11.30 Izu301) Extracurricular activity if you are interested: - Invited lecture by Albrecht Sándor, PhD
Title: Data driven transformation needs adaptive society Recorded lecture on ELTE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uPe5VEPDbc&t=2891s
(09/20 - ELTE Sport Day)
Reading online materials for topic 2:
Methodology of studying the inheritance of animal and human behavior.
Estimating heritability based on twin and adoptive designs.
(10/4) No class today! Consultation upon request: please send email to set a time!
(10/11) Online class: discussing materials of topics 1 & 2.
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(10/18) Presentation opportunity (for exam grade) from topics 1. and 2. for four pairs for on selected topic from the above materials (3-5slides in 5 minutes + 5 min discussion)
Reading online materials for topic 3:
Links between genes and environment (association, interaction).
Identifying candidate gene effects, whole genome results.
10/25 and 11/1 No classes (school brake)
(11/08) Online class: discussing materials of topic 3.
(11/15) Presentation opportunity (for exam grade) from topics 1., 2., and 3. for four pairs for on selected topic from the above materials (3-5slides in 5 minutes + 5 min discussion)
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(11/22) Reading online materials for topic 4:
State-of-the-art molecular genetic studies selected from different fields (e.g. temperament – personality, psychopathologies, cognitive abilities, substance use, etc.
(11/29) Online class 2: discussing materials of topic 4.
(12/06) Presentation opportunity (for exam grade) from topics 1., 2., 3. and 4. for four pairs for on selected topic from the above materials (3-5slides in 5 minutes + 5 min discussion)
(...) Further presentation opportunities in the exam period (for exam grade) IF NEEDED from ALL materials on selected topic from the above materials (3-5slides in 5 minutes + 5 min discussion)
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Suggested readings:
Selected chapters from the course handbook: Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., McClearn, G. E., McGuffin, P. (2001) Behavioral Genetics, 4th Edition. Worth Publishers, NY.
Selected chapters from further handbooks and articles on various topics discussed in class (see in the lecture outlines below)...
Full texts will be provided via link to a google drive in a Neptun email.
Evaluation:
Written exam task in the examination period is a unique essay from the questions provided in each lecture outline (see PDF files in the google drive). Please select ONE essay on the course sign-up sheet available on the course google drive. The essay should be a clear presentation of the topics with clear indication of Your individual view/opinion. The essays may be 1-2 pg. long and should include proper quoting and references. It may also include illustrations (which do not count in the length requirement). Each essay will be graded from 1-5 based on ORIGINALITY!!! + quality & format of the essay (see e.g. https://www.wikihow.com/Write-an-Essay for the essay format). Essays should be handed in by the time of the exam via email (szekely.anna@ppk.elte.hu).
Students may choose to present a chosen topic from the above areas and engage in an online debate related to this topic during the semester. In this case, the grade will be based on depth of related knowledge and invested work, as well as the fluency of both the presentation and discussion. 'Till the end of the semester you may choose to keep or drop this grade and prepare for a written exam.
Some suggested topics for presentations:
- The myth of tongue-rolling, blue eyes and other traits that do NOT follow the Mendelian inheritance pattern (resource: https://udel.edu/~mcdonald/mythtongueroll.html)
- Schizophrenia: a genetic predisposition?! A follow up on the Leonard Heston study from 1966 (resources: https://www.psychforums.com/anti-psych/topic11189.html, https://www.dnalc.org/view/868-Candidate-Genes-for-Schizophrenia.html)
- The case of the missing heritability: the role of combined genetic effects and their interaction with the environment (resources: http://www.nature.com/news/2008/081105/full/456018a.html)