FRS 004 — Sec. 004 — (2 unit) — CRN 73088 — T 3:10-5:00 PM — 123 Wellman
What Makes You Unique? Your Genome!

Instructor: Prabhakara Choudary, Center for Neuroscience, School of Medicine

Description: The course covers basic structural and functional features of the human genome, and their relevance to human health and daily life (e.g., those associated with disease or considered socially or economically beneficial). Spotlight will be focused on examples of historical importance or have captured recent public/media attention, including those that raise ethical or social concerns. Information will be presented through informal lectures by the instructor, student presentations, and group discussions.

Format: The class will meet for two hours each week. The time will be divided between informal lectures, discussions, and student presentations. Reading material or references will be provided. There is no text for the course. Grading: Students will be required to prepare a short paper on a topic to be chosen in consultation with the instructor. The (2-Unit) course grade (Pass/Fail) will be based on the quality of their written paper -- 4 to 6 pages (1/3), oral presentations (1/3) and on the frequency and quality of their participation in class discussions (1/3).

About the Instructor: Professor Prabhakara Choudary is a member of the faculty in the Center for Neuroscience and the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. His research interests include the regulation of gene expression in human genetic diseases, with an emphasis on the central nervous system. Active research projects include molecular genetic studies of schizophrenia and depression. He currently teaches a graduate course on functional neurogenomics (CNS/NPB 247).