Nature vs Nurture

Course Objective

Students learn how individual differences in human complex behavior can be explained by differences between people in their genes, and in their environment.

Course Content

Humans vary in their behavior and in their propensity to disease. In the Nature vs. Nurture course, the influence of genes and of environmental factors on individual differences in human behavior will be discussed. The course starts with an historical overview of the nature-versus-nurture debate, and describes how twin- and family studies paved the way for current genetic research. The course specifically
focuses on the rapid developments in the field of complex trait genetics, that allow researchers to search the entire genome for parts
of the DNA that are predictive of human behavior and disease. We will discuss recent large-scale gene-finding studies and discuss how these translate to state-of-the-art neuroscience research, and how they inspire studies on personalized treatments in medical practice. In addition, ethical aspects of current genetic research will be discussed.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

Lectures, discussion groups, presentations.

Method of Assessment

The final grade of Nature vs. Nurture is based on weekly assignments, a group presentation on an ethical aspect of genetic research and a written exam. The course Nature vs. Nurture is successfully completed if both the exam grade and the final aggregate grade are 5.5 or higher.