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Behavioural Genetics

Toekomst
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Psychology
English
6 ECTS

Following this course, students will understand the basic population genetics of the biometrical model, statistical implementation of the biometrical model, and understand the relationship between biometrical model parameters and regression parameters.

Students will understand the theoretical underpinnings of twin and family design, based on the biometrical model. Students will be able to conduct genetic covariance stucture modeling of twin and family data using the R libraries OpenMx and umx, with a full understanding of the results and associated statistical testing of model parameters. Following this course, students will be able to understand and evaluate articles based on twin and family designs.

Prof.dr. C.V. Dolan

Course Description

The MA course Behaviour Genetics provides an introduction to (human) behavioral genetic research methods based on family and twin designs. These designs allow us to infer the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to phenotypic variance, based on the resemblance of famliy members. The course comprises the following

1) Basic population genetic concepts and statistical concepts

2) The biometrical / statistical model relating genotype to phenotype, and its role in genetic association studies.

3) Application of the model in family and twin designs to infer the contributions of unmeasured genotypic differences and environmental factors to phenotypic variance

4) Introduction to genetic covariance structure modeling in twin and family designs

5) Using OpenMx and umx (R libraries) to analyse continuous univariate and multivariate twin and family data

6). Extensions of the twin design: modeling of moderation (GxE interaction) in the twin design, twin and parents, related designs, such as the discordant twin design and the children of twins design

Study Characteristics

  • Discipline: Psychology
  • Type of education: In class
  • Academic skill: Research | Discipline related
  • Graduate School: Graduate School of the Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences
  • Start date: TBD
  • End date: TBD
  • Minimum number of students: N/A
  • Maximum number of students: 30
  • Admission criteria: Contact the course coordinator for information on admission criteria: Prof. dr. C.V. Dolan, c.v.dolan@vu.nl
  • Concluding assessment: Yes
  • Assessment type: Examination consists of written exam with open questions and a computer assignment
  • With Certificate: Yes 
  • Schedule info: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2019-2020/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MBEHGEN
  • Number of lessons: N/A
  • Total course duration in hrs.: N/A
  • Sign up period: Continuously
  • Anticipated hrs of study: N/A
  • Available to: PhD students VU (and VU RMA students)

  • Course Description & Study Characteristics

    Course Description

    The MA course Behaviour Genetics provides an introduction to (human) behavioral genetic research methods based on family and twin designs. These designs allow us to infer the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to phenotypic variance, based on the resemblance of famliy members. The course comprises the following

    1) Basic population genetic concepts and statistical concepts

    2) The biometrical / statistical model relating genotype to phenotype, and its role in genetic association studies.

    3) Application of the model in family and twin designs to infer the contributions of unmeasured genotypic differences and environmental factors to phenotypic variance

    4) Introduction to genetic covariance structure modeling in twin and family designs

    5) Using OpenMx and umx (R libraries) to analyse continuous univariate and multivariate twin and family data

    6). Extensions of the twin design: modeling of moderation (GxE interaction) in the twin design, twin and parents, related designs, such as the discordant twin design and the children of twins design

    Study Characteristics

    • Discipline: Psychology
    • Type of education: In class
    • Academic skill: Research | Discipline related
    • Graduate School: Graduate School of the Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences
    • Start date: TBD
    • End date: TBD
    • Minimum number of students: N/A
    • Maximum number of students: 30
    • Admission criteria: Contact the course coordinator for information on admission criteria: Prof. dr. C.V. Dolan, c.v.dolan@vu.nl
    • Concluding assessment: Yes
    • Assessment type: Examination consists of written exam with open questions and a computer assignment
    • With Certificate: Yes 
    • Schedule info: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2019-2020/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MBEHGEN
    • Number of lessons: N/A
    • Total course duration in hrs.: N/A
    • Sign up period: Continuously
    • Anticipated hrs of study: N/A
    • Available to: PhD students VU (and VU RMA students)

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