Master degree program
Genetics

Genetics

QUALIFICATION

  • Scientific and pedagogical direction - Master of Natural Sciences

MODEL OF GRADUATING STUDENT

1. Analyze the genetic regulation of functioning of biosystems at molecular, cellular, whole-body and populational level;
2. Interpret the reasons and mechanisms of emergence of molecular genetic, epigenetic, populational and evolutional variability;
3. Use genetic approaches to generate new highly productive strains of microorganisms, plant cultivars and animal breeds, completed by diagnostics and therapy of hereditary diseases, genetic monitoring of the environment;
4. Apply modern molecular genetic methods in various fields of biological, medical and agricultural sciences;
5. Formulate conclusions and practical recommendations on the basis of representative and original research outputs;
6. Develop and teach basic as applied courses based on student oriented approach using digital technologies, interactive teaching methods, forms and tools;
7. Take personal responsibility of the research quality and moral obligations to protect nature and biodiversity and maintain human health;
8. Elaborate research plan and present the data of personal investigations to the research community

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 - Aim of discipline: to increase and deepen knowledge of statistical methods in genetics, which are necessary for determining a statistically significant difference in the degree of heritability and variability of the compared study groups. Learning outcomes: use correlation and regression analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA) of research results; use methods to determine the heritability coefficient, the inbreeding coefficient; use methods for accounting the frequency of mutations and determining the genetic structure of the population; determine the statistical significance of the scientific research results on the basis of statistical analysis and correctly interpret them.

Evolutionary biology
  • Number of credits - 6
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form the ability to analyze the achievements and contemporary problems of evolutionary biology. Learning outcomes: systematize knowledge about the theoretical foundations of evolutionary biology; analyze the results of paleontological, biogeographical, morphological and molecular genetic studies; understand the current problems of the synthetic theory of evolution; explain the essence of the unresolved questions of evolutionary biology.

Foreign Language (professional)
  • Number of credits - 6
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - The purpose is to acquire and improve competencies by international standards of foreign language education and to communicate in an intercultural, professional, and scientific environment. A master's student must integrate new information, understand the organization of languages, interact in society, and defend his point of view.

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 - Purpose: Understanding of modern philosophy as a system of scientific knowledge, including worldview in rational-theoretical comprehension. The discipline includes aspects of the evolution and development of scientific thinking, historical moments, the contribution of scientists and scientific schools to the formation of science, and ethical and social aspects of scientific activity.

Organization and Planning of Scientific Research
  • Number of credits - 6
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - 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.

Pedagogy of Higher Education
  • Number of credits - 3
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Purpose: To provide pedagogical theories and practical strategies for effective teaching in higher education, fostering critical thinking, and academic success. The course explores instructional methods, curriculum design, assessment techniques, and classroom management strategies preparing educators to create inclusive and stimulating learning environments.

Psychology of management
  • Number of credits - 3
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Formation of knowledge about the fundamental concepts of management psychology for the practical application of the most critical aspects of management in professional interaction. Basic principles of management psychology, personality in management interactions, management of personality behavior, modern ideas, psychology of managing group phenomena, motivation, and practical reflection.

Data for 2021-2024 years

disciplines

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.

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.

Genetic databases
  • Type of control - [RK1+MT+RK2+Exam] (100)
  • Description - Aim of discipline: to form a holistic system understanding of the design and principles of functioning of databases and expert systems for the subsequent independent study and development of numerous software products designed to manage databases, create and maintain expert systems. Learning outcomes: design genetic databases; design expert systems; use the data manipulation and definition language (SQL); use one of the programming languages for designing expert systems; use basic knowledge representation models.

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).

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 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.

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 - Aim of discipline: to form knowledge and skills of the basics of program development using subroutines, standard modules, programming style, programming quality indicators, debugging and testing methods, and the basics of object-oriented programming. Learning outcomes: develop structural diagrams of various algorithms; organize, depending on the requirements of the task, the necessary data structures; use the skills to develop programs in the selected programming language using the language tools; use debugging and testing software.

Data for 2021-2024 years

INTERNSHIPS

Pedagogical
  • Type of control - Защита практики
  • Description - Aim оf discipline: formation of the ability to carry out educational activities in universities, to design the educational process and conduct certain types of training sessions using innovative educational technologies.

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