Master degree program
Genetics

Genetics

QUALIFICATION

  • Scientific and pedagogical direction - Master of Natural Sciences

MODEL OF GRADUATING STUDENT

LO1. Analyze genetic mechanisms and processes at the molecular, cellular, organismal and population levels.
LO2. Interpret molecular genetic changes and their impact on health and heredity.
LO3. Apply genetic methods to create and improve biological objects in medicine and agriculture.
LO4. Use modern molecular genetic technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
LO5. Interpret the results of genetic research, taking into account the statistical significance and scientific novelty
LO6. Analyze scientific and patent information with the help of modern information technologies.
LO7. Teach theoretical and applied disciplines using a student-oriented approach, digital and interactive methods and other modern educational technologies.
LO8. Conduct interdisciplinary research to solve complex problems in biology, medicine, ecology and agriculture
LO9. Comply with ethical and legal norms in scientific and professional research.
LO10. Carry out professional and personal self-education for professional growth

Program passport

Speciality Name
Genetics
Speciality Code
7M05105
Faculty
Biology and Biotechnology

disciplines

Biostatistics in genetics
  • Number of credits - 6
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form the ability to apply statistical methods in genetics to determine a statistically significant difference in the degree of heritability and variability of the compared study groups. It will consider parametric and nonparametric methods of biostatistics (Student's test, chi-square, Mann-Whitney test, etc.), correlation, regression analysis; analysis of variance (ANOVA); methods for determining the inheritance and inbreeding coefficients; methods of accounting for the frequency of mutations.

Ethics and Biosafety in Genetics
  • Number of credits - 5
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to develop the ability to apply genetic technologies and biosafety methods following national and international bioethics standards in biology, genetics and medicine. It will consider basic principles of bioethics, bioethical problems of genetics, bioethical attitudes to laboratory animals, state and international requirements for conducting preclinical and clinical studies, and GLP rules.

Evolutionary biology
  • Number of credits - 6
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form the ability to analyse evolutionary biology's achievements and contemporary problems. It will consider methods of evolutionary biology: paleontological, biogeographical, morphological, and molecular genetic; the neutral theory of molecular evolution, theory of Punctuated equilibrium, theory of evolutionary epigenetics, principles of evolutionary developmental biology; modern problems of the synthetic theory of evolution; achievements of experimental evolutionary biology and unresolved questions of evolutionary biology.

Foreign Language (professional)
  • Number of credits - 6
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - The purpose of the discipline is to form practical skills in various types of speech activity in a foreign language. The training course builds the ability to perceive, understand and translate information in the modern global space, participate in scientific events to test their own research. The discipline is aimed at improving competencies in accordance with international standards of foreign language education.

Genetic Engineering
  • Number of credits - 5
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to develop the ability to practice molecular genetic methods in genetic engineering. It will consider general principles of gene cloning; design methods for hybrid (recombinant) DNA molecules (recDNA); vector DNA molecules; expression of cloned genes in pro- and eukaryotic cells; gene-engineering system of Saccharomyces cerevisiae; vector systems of animal and plant cells.

Genetic engineering and biosecurity
  • Number of credits - 9
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim оf discipline: to form the ability to use knowledge and skills in modern areas of genetic engineering and the basic principles of biosecurity, biosafety, regulatory framework for their application in professional activities. Learning outcomes: analyze the features of the methods used to obtain new vector systems and super-producers of target proteins; use the theoretical knowledge and methodological skills of genetic engineering in their professional activities; evaluate GMOs according to the principles of biosafety; evaluate methods of ensuring safety and protection in the genetic laboratory

History and Philosophy of Science
  • Number of credits - 3
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - The purpose of the discipline is to form a holistic systemic understanding of philosophy as a special form of cognition of the world, its main sections, problems and methods of their study in the context of future professional activity. The training course forms the theoretical and methodological basis of research work.

Molecular and Forensic-Medical Expertise
  • Number of credits - 5
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form the ability to analyse molecular genetic examination results to establish the biomaterial's genetic authenticity and determine hereditary pathology. It will consider DNA profiling methods: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (PDRF), short tandem repeats (CTP) and interpretation of their results; DNA diagnostic methods in criminology and human kinship determination; databases of DNA profiles.

Organization and Planning of Scientific Research
  • Number of credits - 6
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - The purpose of the discipline:The purpose of the subject is to form the ability to plan and conduct scientific research in the field of philology based on knowledge of the theoretical and methodological bases of organizing research activity. The training course forms the research culture of the future specialist. The subject is aimed at studying the methodology of scientific research, modern methods used in philology.

Organization and Planning of Scientific Research (in English)
  • Number of credits - 5
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - The purpose of the discipline to form the ability to apply practical skills in the organization and planning of scientific research. The discipline studies: forms and methods of planning, organization and design of scientific articles and dissertations; forms of summarizing the results of scientific research in presentations, speeches, projects, articles.

Pedagogy of Higher Education
  • Number of credits - 5
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - The purpose of the discipline is to form the ability to teach in universities and colleges based on knowledge of higher school didactics, theory of education and management of education, analysis and self-assessment of teaching activities. The training course is aimed at studying the trends in the development of education and the Bologna process. The course will help you master teaching and curatorial skills, various strategies and methods of teaching and education.

Psychology of management
  • Number of credits - 3
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - The purpose of the discipline is to provide scientific training of highly qualified specialists based on the study of fundamental concepts of management psychology, creating prerequisites for a theoretical understanding and practical application of the most important aspects of the field of management in the process of professional formation. The course is aimed at studying the patterns of development and functioning of mental processes, the basics of effective interaction and conflict resolution, self-development and self-presentation.

Data for 2021-2024 years

disciplines

Agrogenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to develop the ability to apply genetic technologies to improve crops and animals, increase yields, and increase resistance to diseases and adaptation to environmental changes. It will consider methods of plant breeding and improvement, biotechnological approaches in crop production, molecular markers for breeding, genetic aspects of increasing productivity and health of farm animal breeds.

Carcinogenesis and epigenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to analyze the mechanisms of carcinogenesis and epigenetics. Learning outcomes: explain the biology and genetics of carcinogenesis; analyze the mechanisms of action of carcinogens of various nature; substantiate the role of genes, receptors, growth factors, disorders of cellular systems in tumor formation; recognize the main macro- and microscopic signs of tumor cells; substantiate the epigenetic mechanisms of stem cell differentiation; reveal the mechanisms and ways of realization of implementing epigenetic signals in the cell; apply basic model systems to study epigenetics; classify epigenetic determinants of human diseases.

Embryogenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to describe and analyze the relationship between the stages of embryogenesis and the sequential inclusion of gene systems. In studying the discipline, the following aspects will be addressed: various model systems as the interface of modern developmental genetics; bioinformatics of embryo progression; in situ hybridization of mutant and wild-type embryos; vital dye staining of mutant and wild-type embryos; pharmacological treatments perturbing healthy development; methods of screening of embryo development; biostatistics of embryonic growth and development; problems of cell sterility and oncogenesis caused by the chemical effect of the embryo; embryonic safety and national health.

Epigenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form the theoretical knowledge in the field of epigenetics. It will consider objects and methods of epigenetics, mechanisms and ways of realisation of epigenetic signals in the cells of different organisms, the value of RNA interference, small RNA and chromatin, genomic imprinting, and the role of epigenetics in various diseases in humans.

Gene pool, plant and animal breeding
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to analyze modern technologies in plant and animal breeding and apply ecological and genetic approaches to preserve the gene pool for conducting complex and interdisciplinary research. Learning outcomes: evaluate methods for obtaining transgenic agricultural plants and animals with specified productivity parameters; demonstrate knowledge of modern approaches to preserving the biological diversity of the gene pool of agricultural plants and animals in Kazakhstan in situ and ex situ (in vivo and in vitro), use DNA barcoding, molecular markers, QTL mapping, phylogeography methods.

Gene therapy
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to develop the ability to analyse methods and technologies for introducing or modifying genes into body cells to treat or prevent diseases. It will consider gene delivery vectors, mechanisms of transfection and transduction, target diseases for gene therapy, overcoming immune and biological barriers in gene therapy, and stages of clinical trials of gene therapy.

Genetic Analysis
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form a holistic understanding of the essence of genetic analysis to summarise the experimental data and research planning. It will consider the theory of genetic analysis, the construction of logical, mathematical, and experimental models for genetic analysis, the principles and methods of genetic analysis, and the tasks of this analysis concerning eukaryotic organisms in the process of the result.

Genetic databases
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form practical skills in creating, managing and using databases that store genetic information. It will consider data structures and database algorithms, database management systems, genetic data structuring, organisation of genetic databases, queries for data extraction and analysis, and methods for integrating genetic data with other data types.

Genopathology
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form the ability to analyse the molecular genetic mechanisms of the occurrence, development and inheritance of various pathological conditions and diseases. It will consider molecular, biochemical, and cytological bases of genetic diseases; monogenic, multifactorial and chromosomal diseases; methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of hereditary diseases; enzymopathies; methods of diagnosis of genetic diseases.

Immunogenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form a critical understanding of the role and importance of the immune response mechanisms, their genetic causation, and their ability to apply this knowledge in practice. It will consider molecular immunology, genetics of histocompatibility, sources of diversity of antigen recognition structures, the evolution of immunity, immunoreactivity, immunogenicity primary defects of the immune system, induction of specific immunity, genetic control of the immune response, immunodeficiency, autoimmune diseases, immunotherapy.

Immunogenetics and Gene therapy
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to analyze the genetic mechanisms of the immune response and to use gene therapy methods for the treatment of diseases. Learning outcomes: explain the genetic causation of immunity; describe intraspecific diversity and inheritance of tissue antigens; master the methods of personalized medicine and gene therapy; determine the possibility of individualization of the choice of drugs and their dosage regimens based on the study of the genotype of a particular patient.

Modeling Genetic Processes
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form practical skills necessary for modeling genetic processes.Learning outcomes: understand the methods of using the basic models of information technology and methods for their use to solve genetic problems; understand the specifics of algorithmic modeling in the processing of genetic processes; use methods and basic models of information technologies and methods for their application for solving genetics problems; apply methods for modeling dynamic processes; choose the most effective modeling methodology.

Molecular and Forensic-medical examination
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to analyze the results of molecular genetic examination to establish the genetic authenticity of the biomaterial and determine hereditary pathology. Learning outcomes: to carry out analyses using DNA profiling methods: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (PDRF), short tandem repeats (CTP) and interpret them; to apply DNA diagnostic methods in criminology and human kinship determination; databases of DNA profiles in the world; to use methods of molecular cytogenetics (various types of FISH analysis).

Molecular cytogenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - The purpose of the discipline: to form the ability to analyze chromosomal abnormalities using molecular cytogenetic methods of research. The following aspects will be considered: the structural and functional features of human chromosomes; the mechanisms of interaction of the molecular components of the chromosome; the mechanisms of formation of systemic mutations as a result of chromosome reorganization; molecular cytogenetic methods (FISH, SKY, PCR and microarray analysis of chromosomes) for the diagnosis of hereditary diseases and infertility.

Mutation and agricultural biotechnology
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to use methods of induced mutagenesis for use in agricultural biotechnology. Learning outcomes: describe mutagenic factors and evaluate the types of disorders induced by them; to evaluate methods of agricultural biotechnology in science, plant breeding, animal husbandry and agricultural microbiology; to use the principles of cloning and genetic transformation of somatic and germ cells; to identify ways and solutions of technologies for identification and mapping of genes based on promising genetic, protein, enzyme, immune and cellular technologies.

Neurogenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to develop the ability to analyse the genetic mechanisms underlying the functions and dysfunctions of the nervous system. It will consider the genetic basis of the development and functioning of the central nervous system, molecular genetic methods for studying brain functions, genetics of neurological disorders (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, sclerosis, etc.), and the use of genomic data to study the nervous system.

Neurogenetics and psychogenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to analyze the role and relationship of hereditary and environmental determinants in the functioning of the central nervous system and the variability of psychological and psychophysiological characteristics of a person. Learning outcomes: interpret molecular genetic models of neurological and mental diseases; possess the skills of molecular genetic technologies in the study of the behavior and functions of the nervous system; interpret the results of studies of inherited and environmental determinants in the variability of psychological and psychophysiological traits in individual development and some forms of dysontogenesis.

Oncogenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form a holistic system understanding of modern advances in oncogenetics and the molecular mechanisms of the mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of environmental pollutants. It will consider biology and genetics of carcinogenesis; oncogenes and oncoproteins; mechanisms of viral and hormonal carcinogenesis; the role of genes, receptors, growth factors, disorders of cellular systems in the processes of tumor formation.

Pharmacogenetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form professional competencies in pharmacogenetics and molecular diagnostics. It will consider the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic mechanisms of the sensitivity of the individual organism to drugs, genetic variations of enzymes involved in drug metabolism, the interaction between genes and drugs that determine the therapeutic response, and the methods of personalised medicine using molecular diagnostics.

Population Genetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form the ability to analyse patterns of inheritance and variability of the genotypic composition of populations under the action of elementary evolutionary factors. It will consider populations' ecological and genetic characteristics, their basic properties and structure, and patterns of inheritance in panmictic populations, Hardy-Weinberg methods for finding allelic and genotypic frequencies in populations.

Population Genetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to analyze patterns of inheritance and variability of the genotypic composition of populations under the action of elementary evolutionary factors. Learning outcome: analyze the basic properties and genetic structure of populations; determine the patterns of inheritance in panmictic populations; conduct a quantitative assessment of genetic variability in populations as a result of the action of gene drift, mutation pressure, migration, and natural selection on populations; determine the frequency of occurrence of alleles and genotypes in populations.

Resource-intensive IT technologies in applied genetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form an understanding of modern parallel computing architectures, models, methods and technologies for their programming, to inculcate skills in working with modern computing systems.Learning outcomes: use the means of remote access to computing resources for collective use and launch of parallel programs on computing clusters; use the general method of developing parallel programs; use the skills of working with the basic set of tools for developing parallel programs for computational cluster.

Software for genetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to develop the ability to effectively use and develop software tools for analysing genetic data. It will consider basic algorithms and data structures used in the analysis of genomic data; sequencing data processing platforms (BLAST, BowTie, GATK, etc.); web platforms with tools for complex processing of biological data; creation and validation of user software.

Stem Cell Genetics
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Discipline aims to form the ability to describe and evaluate the mechanisms of differentiation and labelling of stem cells. It will consider the scientific and methodological basis of stem cell production, cell differentiation potential, stem cell potency, various types of stem cells by their origin, function and use, sources and methods of organ transplantation, and ethical and legal norms of their use.

Data for 2021-2024 years

INTERNSHIPS

Pedagogical
  • Type of control - Защита практики
  • Description - Formation of practical, educational-methodical skills of conducting lectures, seminars, creatively apply scientific, theoretical knowledge, practical skills in teaching activities, conduct training sessions in the disciplines of the specialty; own modern professional techniques, methods of training, use in practice the latest theoretical, methodological advances, make educational, methodological documentation.

Research
  • Type of control - Защита практики
  • Description - The purpose of the practice: gaining experience in the study of an actual scientific problem, expand the professional knowledge gained in the learning process, and developing practical skills for conducting independent scientific work. The practice is aimed at developing the skills of research, analysis and application of economic knowledge.

Data for 2021-2024 years