What we are learning
Transposable elements, since their discovery, have been considered either as useless pieces of DNA, as selfish parasitic genes or as major elements driving biodiversity. The aim of this course is to bring a holistic knowledge of TEs, from the molecular mechanisms underlying their function to their impact on populations and species in eukaryotes. It will involve lectures gathering current research issues as well as practicals involving modern tools used in current research.
How we are learning
As much as possible, the course involves evidence-based and modern methods of teaching: active learning, peer learning, and constructive alignment, meaning that the teaching activities and the final exam are tailored towards well-defined intended learning outcomes. These learning outcomes encompass several orders, from remembering to creating, based on Bloom’s taxonomy of learning. In simple words, the major intended learning outcome of the course is for the students to be able to critically think for themselves when it comes to transposable elements.
Also, transposable elements research is rather a recent field, and therefore the related knowlege is in constant and fast evolution. By inviting a wide range of experts to teach in the course, we aim at having the course as close to current research as possible, and as far as possible from text books. This applies to practical classes too, that we designed as “mini research projects” with a biological question, an experimental strategy, and a scientific report written by students in the form of a scientific article.
In a word, we, the pedagogical team, have ambition for the students: at the end of the course, they will be able to understand and lead current research on the topic of transposable elements.
The pedagogical team
The team is large enough to encompass a wide range of experts, ensuring the most up-to-date and cutting-edge teaching provided to the students.
| Clément Lafon Placette | Rita Batista | ||
| Alexander Suh | Roman Hobza | ||
| Iris Sammarco | Vojtěch Čermák | ||
| Jiří Macas | Valentina Peona | ||
| Lukáš Fischer |
Practical details
The course runs in the winter semester.
To enroll, connect to the SIS and click “enroll”: https://is.cuni.cz/studium/predmety/index.php?do=predmet&kod=MB120P177
Once you have enrolled, we will send you all the details regarding the schedule, content, etc. :)
If you encounter any issue, feel free to contact us at lafonplc (at) natur.cuni.cz