PSY2209 – Behaviour Genetics
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
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
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 - 澳门葡京手机版app下载sdesign og kvantitativ metode, PED1020 - Metode 2, or equivalent.
Teaching
Teaching trough lectures and seminars. 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. The home exam counts 2/3 of the final grade and school exam counts 1/3 of the final grade.
Examination support material
For the home exam, students can use any academic resources they find useful, whereas the school exam is a multiple choice questionnaire with no access to support material.?
Language of examination
The examination text for the school exam and home exam is given in English. For the home exam you may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a?postponed exam?later in the same semester.
See also our information about?resitting an exam.
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.