Lessons
There are 10 lessons:
1. Inheritance Patterns and Non-Mendelian Genetics
- Mendelian genetics
- Mendel’s law of inheritance
- Non- Mendelian genetics and inheritance patterns
- Multiple allele traits
- Codominance
- Incomplete dominance
- Pleiotropy
- Inheritance tools
- Pedigree
2. Genetic Foundations
- Nucleic acids
- Structure of DNA
- Genomic DNA
- Genomic libraries
- Complementary DNA
- Generating cDNA libraries
- Autosomal DNA
- Mitochondrial DNA
- Structure of mRNA
3. Genetic Technologies
- ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay)
- Microarrays
- Application of microarray
- PCR (polymer chain reaction)
- Gel Electrophoresis
- Types of PCR
- DNA sequencing technologies
- Application of PCR and DNA sequencing technology
- Bioinformatics
4. Complex Genetic Inheritance
- Polygenic inheritance
- Gene conversion
- Epistasis
- Cytoplasmic inheritance
- Infectious Heredity
- Mosaicism
- Sex- linked inheritance
5. Epigenetics
- Introduction
- Histone modification
- DNA methylation
- MicroRNA
6. Genetic Modification (Genetic Engineering)
- Introduction
- Gene editing
- Genetic Recombination
- CRISPR-Cas9
- Cloning
- Mutagenesis
- Horticultural application of mutagenesis
7. Genome Editing and Ethical Considerations
- Introduction
- Somatic vs Germline gene editing
- Ethical considerations
8. Genomics and Crop Development
- Introduction
- Uses of genetic technology in agriculture
- Genetically modified plants
- Types of genetic modification
- Benefits of GM crops
- Examples of different GM crops
9. Genomics and Livestock Development
- Genomics in livestock
- Heritability
- Trait selection
- Cloning
- Transgenic Animals
- Other animal genomic programs
10. Genomics and Human Health
Please Note: Each lesson requires the completion of an assignment, marked by your tutor and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and extra reading if required.
More Information
Genetic Modification (Genetic Engineering)
There is a sound argument for the application of genetic technology to remove the pain and suffering caused by genetic diseases. It is quite easily to extend the argument to seemingly beneficial physical traits like height, muscle mass or eye colour.
This thought pattern can eventually lead to discussions around genetically engineering traits such as intelligence. However, these questions are underpinned by complex ethical and moral discussions. For all genetic manipulation, it is important to maintain perspective, something that once may have been considered a liability or undesirable traits may be an asset in the future.
Environment has a huge role in the expression of traits. The potential of phenotypic expression is genetic, but it is complicated and impacted and reinforced by lots of different factors. The ability to capture the potential is environmental. It is important to maintain diversity within populations and gene pools as it is impossible to predict what traits are going to be useful in the future.
Defining Genetically Modified
Genetic modification is the process of altering the genetic makeup of an organism.
Preventing transgene flow utilising sterility. Transgenic (GMO) individuals will not be able to reproduce as they have been rendered sterile as a part of the process used to make them GMO.
Modifications:
- Ozone, oxygen reactive species
- Climate change modifications
- Increasing yield
- Increasing pest resistance
- Changing flavour profiles
GM crops are often used as food for meat and dairy industry. Animals that eat GMO do not become GMO themselves.
GENE EDITING: THE NEXT STEP IN SELECTIVE BREEDING
Gene editing is a powerful tool and can be achieved through an ever-expanding list of biotechnologies. At its core, gene editing is the purposeful and precise manipulation of genetic code to bring about a specific change in genetic sequence. This can be achieved through insertion, deletion, modification or replacing a single SNP or a large sequence. These changes can be achieved through several methods discussed below.
RNAi
RNAi (RNA interference) is a process where cellular mechanisms are delivered in a targeted way to silence specific genetic sequences to “knock-down” or “knock-out” the expression of a gene. This can be useful in selective breeding of plant crops by developing disease resistant, stress tolerant and high producing varieties. In animal breeding RNAi has applications in preventing vertical transmission of disease from parent to progeny, by “knocking down” the virus. This reduces the amount of virus in the parent to a point where they are unlikely or won’t pass on the virus to their progeny once it is born, hatched, or spawned.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.
General
Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.
Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.
Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.
Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.
Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.
Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.
Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.
Enrolment
Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.
Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.
Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.
Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.
Assessment
Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.
Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.
Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –
Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.
Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.
Qualifications
Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.
Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.
Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.
Tutors
Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.
Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.
Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.
