Syllabus (ZOOLOGY)

Course Type: MAJ-6

Semester: 5

Course Code: BZOOMAJ06C

Course Title: Taxonomy and Biostatistics, Biophysical techniques and Bioinformatics

(L-P-Tu): 4-2-0

Credit: 6

Practical/Theory: Combined

Course Objective:

Learning Outcome: Students will have learning about the basic taxonomy and systematics and classification of animal kingdom. In this course students will also learn about various data analyzing tools and techniques such as central tendency, t-test, chi-square, ANOVA, corre

Taxonomy and Biostatistics, Biophysical techniques and Bioinformatics

Theory=4 credits

Course objective: Taxonomy is the science of classification in general, but more specifically the classification of living and extinct organisms—i.e., biological classification. The term comes from the Greek words taxis (arrangement) and nomos (law). Taxonomy is thus the methodology and principles of systematic Botany and Zoology that organizes plant and animal species into hierarchies of superior and subordinate groups. In 1813, the Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle proposed the term for plant classification. This course is designed to clear the basic fundamental idea regarding traditional and molecular taxonomy. In the portion of Biostatistics, the students will have an exposure on the basic statistical tools that are an essential part of modern biological research.

The second unit of this course provides some of the most important and fundamental analytical tools used in Biological Sciences that will engorge the students with technical knowledge that could help them in better understanding of biological processes in broad range.

Group A:

Taxonomy and Biostatistics

1. Basics of Animal Classification
   1. Definitions: Classification, Systematics and Taxonomy; Taxonomic Hierarchy, Taxonomic types
   2. Codes of Zoological Nomenclature; Principle of priority; Synonymy and Homonymy; Six kingdom concept of classification (Carl Woese)
   3. Introduction to phylogenetics

2. Statistical approach to biological sciences

2.1. Concept of data and distribution

2.1.1. Definition of data.

2.1.2. Concept of qualitative, quantitative, discrete, continuous, nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio data.

2.1.3. Types of distribution: Normal, skewed, uniform, symmetric bimodal, non-symmetric bimodal, spread, spread with outlier.

2.1.4. Basic concept and types of Kurtoses.

2.2. Probability and its use in Biological Sciences

2.2.1. General concept of probability.

2.2.2. The sum rule and the product rule.

2.2.3. Usage of probability in Biological Sciences (Genetics mainly).

2.3. Analytical Methods

2.3.1. Correlation, Regression t Test, and chi square test

Group B:

Biophysical techniques and Bioinformatics

1. Biophysical techniques:

1.1. Principles of biophysical chemistry (pH, buffer, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, colligative properties)

1.2. Conformation of proteins (Ramachandran plot, secondary structure, domains, motif and folds), stability of proteins.

1.3. Conformation of nucleic acids [helix (A, B, Z), t-RNA, micro-RNA], stability of nucleic acid

1.4. Microscopy: SEM, TEM, Confocal, Phase-Contrast, DIC, FRET, Fluorescence.

1.5. Imaging Technique: PET, CT, MRI.

1.6. Electro-measurement: ECG, EEG.

1.7. Concepts and principles of Colorimetry, Spectroscopy, & Elementary Crystallography.

2. Bio-informatics:

2.1.Basic concept of Bioinformatics: Goals, scope, application and limitations.

2.2. Biological databases: Primary, secondary, and specialized databases.

2.3. Pitfalls of biological databases

practical Group A and B- 2 credits

Biostatistics, Analytical tools and Bio-informatics:

1. 1. Calculation of mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and standard error (both manually and using software).
   2. Construction of bar diagrams and pie diagrams using software.
   3. Submission of a project report on field generated data with application of at least one statistical tool (i.e. correlation, regression, t Test, mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and standard error)
   4. Basic concept and demonstration of BLAST and primer design
   5. Demonstration of tools used in biomedical research ( Phase contrast microscope, flow cytometer FACS, GC MS, qRT PCR)
   6. Basic concept and demonstration of BLAST and primer design

Reading References:

1. Ruppert and Barnes, R.D. (2006). Invertebrate Zoology, VIII Edition. Holt Saunders International Edition.

2. Invertebrates by Brusca &Brusca. Second edition, 2002.

3. Essential Bioinformatics by Jin Xiong, 1st Edition, 2006, Cambridge University press

5. Biostatistics: A guide to design, analysis and discovery by Ronald Forthofer Eun Lee Mike Hernandez, 2nd Edition, 2006, Academic Press (Elsevier)

6. Nelson, D. L. & Cox. M. M. (2004). Lehninger’s Principles of Biochemistry. 2nd ed., Macmillan Worth Publishers.

7. Wilson, K. & Walker, J. (1999). Practical Biochemistry: Principles and Techniques. Fifth Edition. Cambridge University Press