PSY2209 – Behaviour Genetics
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course provides an introduction to genetic studies on behaviour, emotions, and cognition - a psychological discipline known as "behaviour genetics". The course will cover basic concepts in quantitative and molecular genetic sciences, and how these can be applied to study animal behaviour, human traits and disorders, and socioeconomic outcomes. This includes studies of genetic and environmental contributions and how statistical models of complex traits are analysed with computer software. The course covers development of research skills for practical implementation of quantitative genetic statistical methods applicable throughout the life-sciences.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
You should be able to:
? Knowledge of the historical background, scientific development, and central findings in behavioural genetics
? Describe basic properties of genetic variants and their combined effects on phenotypes
? Understand common twin, pedigree, and animal breeding study designs used in genetic studies of complex traits
Skills:
You should be able to:
? Implement quantitative genetic methods on hypotheses on the relative importance of genetic factors, genetic and environmental factors common to several traits and disorders, and evaluation of cause-effect.
? Perform behaviour genetic analysis with statistical software
? Communicate that traits, disorders, and behaviours are phenomena determined by a multitude of genetic and environmental factors potentially varying across development, contexts, and groups.
General competence:
You should be able to:
? Apply knowledge from behaviour genetics to critically evaluate theories on psychological development, stability of emotional and cognitive traits, how traits and disorders are transmitted form parent to children, and interplay between individual factors and environments
? Perform basic behaviour genetic research
Recommended previous knowledge
It is recommended to have completed an introductory bachelor course in quantitative methods. E.g. PSY2014 - Kvantitativ metode, STK1000 - Innf?ring i anvendt statistikk, SOSGEO1120 - Kvantitativ metode, ECON2130 - Statistikk 1, STV1020 - Politisk analyse 2 - 欧洲杯在线买球_欧洲杯投注网站推荐@sdesign og kvantitativ metode, PED1020 - Metode 2, or equivalent.
Teaching
Teaching trough lectures and seminars. There will be lectures (10 x 2 hours). The teaching will be held in English. The seminars are mandatory with attendance 6 out of 8 times.
Approved mandatory activity is valid for the next two semesters that the course will be held.
Examination
?
One week home exam and multiple-choice school exam.
Language of examination: English.
Grading scale: Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.