MF9380 – Population-based Association Analysis
Course description
Course content
The course is intended to give an understanding of concepts and methods related to the analysis of genetic variants (SNP/SNV) and methylation data in population-based studies. It will focus on basic concepts of genetic epidemiology and population genetics as well as statistical methods and tools needed for different types of genetic data. The course is mainly based on the PLINK software, a short introduction will be given. We will also have a look into methods handling sequencing and methylation data.
Learning outcome
1. Basic concepts of genetic epidemiology and genetic Association Studies: Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, linkage disequilibrium, tagSNP selection methods, population stratification.
2. Introduction in PLINK software.
3. Analysis of SNPs: tests for contingency tables and regression models, statistical tests.
4. Genome-wide association studies, before and now.
5. Multiple testing
7. Analysis of Sequencing Data (Rare variants)
8. Analysis of Methylation Data Admission
Admission
Ph.D. candidates and students at the Medical Student Research Programm will get first priority to the course. Maximum number of particpants is 30.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Basic knowledge of statistics, equivalent to an introductory course.
Recommended previous knowledge
Basic computational skills
Teaching
The course is organized as full day teaching over 4-5 days, including introduction to PLINK as well as lectures and group- exercises in PC-labs.
NB! You have to participate in at least 80 % of the teaching to be allowed to take the exam. Attendance at lectures will be registered.
Examination
A take-home exam will be given at the end of the course. Grading: Pass/fail.
Take-Home-Exam:
The test format consists mainly of multiple choice, short-answer essay questions and short calculations. The Exam will include questions taken from the lectures and readings. You will have 3 weeks to complete after the course.
Explanations and appeals
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.