Behavioural Genetics

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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.

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)

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)

Please email

c.v.dolan@vu.nl

Behavioural Genetics

Prof.dr. C.V. Dolan

Prof.dr. C.V. Dolan

Course Description & Study Characteristics

Study Characteristics

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