Behavioural Genetics 2014-15
UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX
SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY
Behavioural Genetics
(C8896)
15 credits
3rd year optional module
Spring Term 2014-15
Module Convenor: Dr. Darya Gaysina
Most of the questions you need answers to about this module are in this document. Please
read it fully and carefully before your first class.
This document concerns the structure and content of the module. If you have questions
about procedures, please consult the School of Psychology Office in person (Pev1 2A13) or
via psychology@sussex.ac.uk.
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Behavioural Genetics 2014-15
Module content and structure
Some of the most important discoveries about behaviour that have been made in the
recent years involve genetics. There is increasing recognition of the role of genetic
factors in normal and abnormal behaviour. The aim of this module is to introduce you
to behavioural genetics, the fast-moving and highly interdisciplinary field. You will
learn key principles as well as historical aspects of behavioural genetics. More
recent developments in this field will also be explored focusing on a broad range of
behavioural phenotypes. For example, you will have the opportunity to learn about
developmental psychopathology from behavioural genetics perspective. Ethical
issues related to genetic investigations of human and animal behaviour will be
discussed. There will also be an opportunity to develop some basic skills in
analysing genetic data.
By the end of this module you should be able to:
 Appreciate the role of behavioural genetics research in understanding
aetiology of complex behavioural traits and disorders;
 Describe different methods of behavioural genetics research (e.g., twin,
adoption, association, etc.) and explain their strengths and limitations;
 Demonstrate familiarity with contemporary behavioural genetic investigations
in relation to the specific behavioural phenotypes;
 Discuss ethical issues of behavioural genetic investigations using human and
animal subjects;
 Communicate knowledge of the key concepts and developments in
behavioural genetics both orally and in written form.
Getting Help
Study Direct: Any queries about this module that are not covered by this handbook
(please check first!) can be posted on the study direct forum. In this way, my
responses can help any other students who may have similar questions.
Module convenor: Private queries can be directed to me during office hours (see
times posted on Psychology Web Pages) in 2C8 (Pevensey 1 Building), by phone
(x7975) or email (d.gaysina@sussex.ac.uk).
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Behavioural Genetics 2014-15
Outline of module content
Week
Lecture
1 (Jan 19)
Introduction to Behavioural Genetics
2 (Jan 26)
DNA: the basis of heredity
3 (Feb 2)
Molecular-genetic approaches.
Workshop. Analysis of
Genomics
molecular genetic data
Quantitative behavioural genetic
Seminar 1. Molecular
approaches
genetics
4 (Feb 9)
5 (Feb 16)
Seminars/Workshop
The role of environment.
Epigenomics
6 (Feb 23)
Gene-environment interplay
Seminar 2. Quantitative
behavioural genetics
7 (March 2)
Contemporary research in the area
of quantitative behaviour genetics:
the case of parenting (Prof Gordon
Harold)
8 (March 9)
Genetic animal models
Seminar 3. Geneenvironment interplay
9 (March 16)
Behavioural genetic studies of
addiction (Dr Sarah King)
10 (March 23)
Endophenotypes. Imaging genomics Seminar 4. Presentations
11 (March 30)
Ethical issues
13 (April 13)
Revision. Q&A
As this is the first year the module has run, there may be some adjustments to the
schedule depending on our progress and your feedback. Any changes will be
notified during class time and on the Study Direct site.
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Behavioural Genetics 2014-15
Faculty
All the lectures, seminars and workshop are run by Darya Gaysina unless specified.
There are two lectures that are given by invited lecturers – Dr Sarah King and Prof
Gordon Harold (see the timetable above).
Dr Darya Gaysina
Research expertise: Behavioural genetics;
Developmental psychopathology; Geneenvironment interplay; Affective disorders;
Health and ageing
Prof Gordon Harold
Research expertise: Behavioural genetics;
Developmental psychopathology; Family
processes; Depression; Aggression
Dr Sarah King
Research expertise:
Addictions, Behavioural Neuroscience, Gene
manipulation, Neuroscience (Human disease),
Neurotransmitter receptors
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Behavioural Genetics 2014-15
Teaching format
Lectures: There will be twelve lectures, on Mondays (12-1pm) in Arundel 1B. The
purpose of the lectures is to supplement the reading material in providing an
overview of existing research on each topic. Note that the lectures are not a
substitute for reading the core, essential and recommended material.
Seminars: There will be three one-hour seminars (at weeks 4, 6 and 8) which will
take place on Tuesdays (5-6pm) in Medical School seminar room 3.07A. There will
be one two-hour seminar (at week 10) which will take place on Monday (4-6pm) in
Arundel 1B. Seminars will go beyond the core and essential reading. The seminar
materials will be posted on Study Direct at least one week before the seminar. You
will be expected to come to the seminar having read the assigned material and be
prepared to make comments, raise questions, and offer opinions on the comments of
others. These discussions are designed to support development of independent
thinking and the skills needed to evaluate relevant literature. You are expected to
attend each seminar.
Workshop: There is also one computer-based workshop taking place in week 3:
Group 1: Tuesday 11-1 PEV1 1B5.
Group 2: Friday 1-3 FRE G21.
The aim of this workshop is to introduce you to the specialist program that is widely
used for analyses of molecular genetic data – PLINK
(http://pngu.mgh.harvard.edu/~purcell/plink/). I will demonstrate the main features of
the program and will discuss the key steps of such analyses in relation to the role of
genetic factors in complex behavioural traits. You will have an opportunity to practise
how to use this program with my guidance. You may want to bring your own laptop
for the workshop. In this case, please download the software in advance (it is free!).
The download file and the instructions for PLINK can be found here:
http://pngu.mgh.harvard.edu/~purcell/plink/download.shtml
You also need to download gPLINK (Java-based application for PLINK):
http://pngu.mgh.harvard.edu/~purcell/plink/gplink.shtml
You are expected to attend the workshop.
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Behavioural Genetics 2014-15
Reading
Core textbook:
Plomin, R., DeFries, J. C., Knopik, V. S., & Neiderhiser, J. M. (2012). Behavioral
genetics (6th edition). New York: Worth.
An earlier edition of this textbook is also acceptable:
Plomin, R., DeFries, J.C., McClearn, G.E., & McGuffin, P. (2008). Behavioural
Genetics (5th ed). New York, Worth.
Essential reading:
Rutter, M. (2005). Genes and Behaviour. Oxford, Blackwell.
Flint, J., Greenspan R.J., & Kendler, K.S. (2010). How genes influence behavior.
Oxford University Press.
Recommended reading:
Recommended reading lists for each lecture will include a number of primary
research publications. These references will be available via the University eLibrary
and the Study Direct website.
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Assessment
Group presentation (20% of your overall module mark)
The group presentation is coursework that will require presenting your ideas on the
specific topic relevant to the module. A group of 5-6 people will be assigned to work
on the same topic together. The list of topics and instructions will be provided in
week 1. Each presentation should be prepared in Powerpoint and limited to 15 slides
(maximum). It will be presented during the Seminar 4 in week 10 (screen and
projector will be provided). Please also email me a copy of your presentation before
the presentation session. This is an opportunity to practice your skills in critiquing
research and provide each other with helpful feedback. The written feedback will be
provided on each presentation.
For this coursework you should aim to:
1. Demonstrate ability to review relevant literature to explain aetiology of complex
behavioural traits;
2. Demonstrate ability to critically evaluate the design and methodology of research
studies in this field.
3. Demonstrate effective verbal communication of knowledge;
4. Demonstrate ability to apply the above knowledge to suggest further directions for
research.
Blog (10% of your overall module mark)
You will be asked to contribute weekly to the personal journal (Blog) on the Study
Direct. The topics for discussion will be introduced on a weekly basis (11 topics in
total). You will be aked to provide your opinion on each topic in your Blog - there
should be 11 records in your blog summing up to 1100-1500 words. The entire
journal (Blog) should be submitted in PDF format to be assessed at the end of the
module (week 13). For this coursework you should demonstrate ability to critically
evaluate material covered in lectures/seminars/recommended readings.
Final exam (70% of your overall module mark)
At the end of the module, there will be a two-hour unseen exam that will consist of
two essay-type questions.
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Informal feedback
There will be opportunity for you to get some informal feedback on your study
progress during the module.
Firstly, you will receive informal feedback on you knowledge of the key concepts and
terminology through the quizzes that will be available on the Study Direct (every four
weeks).
Secondly, the week 3 workshop will focus on developing basic skills for conducting
genetic association analysis. You will be asked to do some exercises. The model
answers for these exercises will be provided after the session, so that you can selfassess your skills.
Thirdly, the seminars (weeks 4, 6, and 8) will provide an opportunity to receive
informal feedback from your peers as well as the module convenor on your ability to
critically evaluate the research designs and findings, and to communicate your ideas
effectively.
Assessment criteria are given at:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/psychology/internal/students/examinationsandassessment
Please access Sussex Direct for submission deadlines: https://direct.sussex.ac.uk
Late Submissions and Mitigating Evidence
What happens if I miss an assessment deadline?
Where applicable you may still submit the assessment within 7 days of the published
deadline. This will incur a penalty, as follows:
•
Work submitted up to 24 hours late shall incur a penalty deduction of 5
percentage points (not 5% of the actual mark).
•
Work submitted after 24 hours and up to 7 days late shall incur a penalty
deduction of 10 percentage points ( not 10% of the actual mark)
•
No work shall be accepted after the 7 day penalty period has elapsed
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Behavioural Genetics 2014-15
For any work where the student wishes to claim mitigating circumstances or
impairment a MEC claim needs to be completed and submitted to the Student Life
Centre.
Please access the links for further information.


http://www.sussex.ac.uk/studentlifecentre/mitigation
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/academicoffice/documentsandpolicies/examinationa
ndassessmenthandbooks
Plagiarism and Collusion
Plagiarism is the use, without acknowledgement, of the intellectual work of other
people and the act of representing the ideas or discoveries of another as one’s own
written work submitted for assessment.
Collusion is the preparation or production of work for assessment jointly with another
person or persons unless explicitly permitted by the examiners. An act of collusion is
understood to encompass those who actively assist others as well as those who
derive benefit from others.
Information on how to avoid plagiarism and collusion can be found here;
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/s3/?id=33
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/academicoffice/documentsandpolicies/examinationandasse
ssmenthandbooks
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