COURSE UNIT TITLE

: INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL GENETICS*

Description of Individual Course Units

Course Unit Code Course Unit Title Type Of Course D U L ECTS
PSI 1014 INTRODUCTION TO BEHAVIORAL GENETICS* COMPULSORY 3 0 0 5

Offered By

Psychology

Level of Course Unit

First Cycle Programmes (Bachelor's Degree)

Course Coordinator

PROFESSOR DOCTOR GÜLAY DIRIK

Offered to

Psychology

Course Objective

1.Provide students with an introduction to, and overview of the field of behavior genetics.
2.Introduce students to the basic principles of Mendelian, population and quantitative genetics, as necessary for study of neuro-behavioral phenotypes/characters/traits.
3. Familiarize students with foundation information on hereditary mechanisms and processes relevant for the nervous system and behavior.
4. Provide an overview of the major ways in which modern molecular biology is revolutionizing our approaches to questions in the interface between genetics and the neuro-behavioral sciences.
5. Examine the methods and findings specific to the analysis of both nonhuman and human behavior.
6. Develop information literacy skills to research and read the primary scientific literature on Behavior Genetics.
7. Review some of the societal and ethical implications of the results of behavioral genetic studies.

Learning Outcomes of the Course Unit

1   To be able to define current research methods in behaviour genetics
2   To be able to read and summarize current approaches in the field of behaviour
3   To be able to discuss ethical, legal and societal implications of behavioural genetic research applied to medicine, education, economics and other fields in historical and cross-cultural contexts
4   To be able to communicate effectively knowledge and understanding of the main concepts in behavioural genetics
5   To be able to get a deep point of view about relationship between modern biology and behavioral sciences
6   To be able to make inferences about developments in the light of current research.

Mode of Delivery

Face -to- Face

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

None

Recomended Optional Programme Components

None

Course Contents

Week Subject Description
1 Introduction to the course
2 History of Genetics
3 Introduction what is behavioural genetics
4 Biological background: The Cell and Chromosomes
5 DNA and Protein Synthesis
6 Epigenesis
7 Mendel and Mendelian Traits
8 Mid-term exam
9 Genetic Research for Behavioral Phenotypes
10 The Nature-Nurture Debate, The Heritability
11 The gene, environment interplay
12 Evolution and Behavior
13 Population Genetics and Human Evolution
14 Writing assignments, poster submission

Recomended or Required Reading

Textbook(s):
1. Carey, G. (2003) Human Genetics for the Social Sciences
2. Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., Knopik, V. S., & Neiderhiser, J. (2013). Behavioral genetics. (6th ed.) New York: Worth Publishers.
Supplementary Book(s):
1. Rutter, M. (2005). Genes and Behaviour. Oxford, Blackwell.
2. Flint, J., Greenspan R.J., & Kendler, K.S. (2010). How genes influence behavior. Oxford University Press.
3. Cummings, M. (2016) Human Heredity: Principles and Issues

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

The topics included in the course will be discussed with the participation of the students with moderation of the lecturer.

Assessment Methods

SORTING NUMBER SHORT CODE LONG CODE FORMULA
1 MTE MIDTERM EXAM
2 FIN FINAL EXAM
3 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.40 + FIN * 0.60
4 RST RESIT
5 FCGR FINAL COURSE GRADE (RESIT) MTE * 0.40 + RST * 0.60


*** Resit Exam is Not Administered in Institutions Where Resit is not Applicable.

Further Notes About Assessment Methods

Midterm and Final exam

Assessment Criteria

In total, one midterm, one final and one homework will be conducted. There will be open-ended questions in the levels of information, comprehension, analysis, interpretation and synthesis for all exams.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Policies and Rules

It is required to attend at least 70% of the courses.

Contact Details for the Lecturer(s)

gulay.dirik@deu.edu.tr

Office Hours

Tuesday: 13.00-14.00

Work Placement(s)

None

Workload Calculation

Activities Number Time (hours) Total Work Load (hours)
Lectures 14 3 42
Preparations before/after weekly lectures 14 4 56
Preparation for midterm exam 1 10 10
Preparation for final exam 1 10 10
Preparing assignments 1 5 5
Final 1 1 1
Midterm 1 1 1
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours) 125

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

PO/LOPO.1PO.2PO.3PO.4PO.5PO.6PO.7PO.8PO.9PO.10
LO.1555444
LO.2555444
LO.3555444
LO.45554
LO.54555545
LO.65455545