Genomics and Public Health

(4 Credits)

This course describes the developing relationship between genomics and genomic technologies with the health of populations in a global context. Topics covered include genomic technologies and their applications, genetic epidemiology, the human microbiome, infectious disease genomics, and the ethical, legal and social implications of genomics. The course consists of lectures, group discussions focused on current scientific papers, guest seminars, and a hands-on sequencing workshop. Students will leave the course with an increased awareness of how sequencing of microbes, parasites and human genomes helps develop better diagnostics and therapies and a greater understanding of human health globally. PREREQUISITES Students that are not Biology majors or who have not taken Biocore I (BIOL-GA.1001) should contact the Instructor prior to enrollment to discuss their academic background in biology.