Learn how to find causal genetic variants using the Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) approach, and subsequently being able to integrate these results in follow-up studies, which examine the gene contributions in relation to the psychological traits studied.
Dr. J.J. Hottenga
Course Description
The Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) design is the most successful study design to date with respect to identifying genetic variants that influence heritable and complex human traits. Students will learn the theoretical background, statistical methods, and the basic computational skills needed to conduct such gene-finding studies using the latest techniques on directly measured and imputed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. They will gain hands-on experience cleaning and analyzing genetic data in order to find causal genes for complex traits related to cognition (e.g., intelligence), personality (e.g., neuroticism), behaviour (e.g., smoking, sport participation) and health (e.g., depression, diabetes). Also they will learn how to evaluate the importance of their genetic findings in post-analyses which include meta-analysis, gene annotation, gene - and gene network based statistics, SNP heritability and genetic overlap between traits.
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: Dr. J.J. Hottenga, j.j.hottenga@vu.nl
- Concluding assessment: Yes
- Assessment type: The students have to successfully finish all practical assignments in order to receive a grade. The grade will be based on a homework assignment (25%) and a written exam (75%)
- With Certificate: Yes
- Schedule info: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2019-2020/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MGENFIND
- Number of lessons: N/A
- Total course duration in hrs.: N/A
- Sign up period: N/A
- Anticipated hrs of study: N/A
- Available to: PhD students VU (and VU RMA students)
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Course Description & Study Characteristics
Course Description
The Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) design is the most successful study design to date with respect to identifying genetic variants that influence heritable and complex human traits. Students will learn the theoretical background, statistical methods, and the basic computational skills needed to conduct such gene-finding studies using the latest techniques on directly measured and imputed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. They will gain hands-on experience cleaning and analyzing genetic data in order to find causal genes for complex traits related to cognition (e.g., intelligence), personality (e.g., neuroticism), behaviour (e.g., smoking, sport participation) and health (e.g., depression, diabetes). Also they will learn how to evaluate the importance of their genetic findings in post-analyses which include meta-analysis, gene annotation, gene - and gene network based statistics, SNP heritability and genetic overlap between traits.
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: Dr. J.J. Hottenga, j.j.hottenga@vu.nl
- Concluding assessment: Yes
- Assessment type: The students have to successfully finish all practical assignments in order to receive a grade. The grade will be based on a homework assignment (25%) and a written exam (75%)
- With Certificate: Yes
- Schedule info: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2019-2020/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MGENFIND
- Number of lessons: N/A
- Total course duration in hrs.: N/A
- Sign up period: N/A
- Anticipated hrs of study: N/A
- Available to: PhD students VU (and VU RMA students)
Contact the course coordinator for registration
Dr. J.J. Hottenga