Critical thinking in genetics and molecular biology 1400-221MKwGiBM

molecular phenomena and mechanisms with increasingly diverse practical applications. This surge in discovery has led to a vast amount of scientific literature. In this course, we will read original research papers in English and explore how individual studies contribute to the collective body of knowledge within the broad fields of genetics and molecular biology.
Each class will focus on a single primary research paper selected by the instructor. We will conduct in-depth analyses of the research, including its rationale, methodology, and interpretation of results. Through this process, we will also learn effective methods for literature searching and how to wisely utilize Large Language Models (LLMs) for scientific text analysis.
A key aspect of this course will be maintaining a critical approach to scientific publications. We will actively look for errors, overinterpretations, and inconsistencies, recognizing that published results often carry a high degree of uncertainty and can sometimes be entirely incorrect.
The course will follow three formats: (1) Lectures, which will consist of a brief introduction to fundamental concepts and methods, followed by a discussion of the selected paper. Much of the work will take place in small groups, with group size determined by student enrollment. (2) Workshops, involving group work focused on developing specific practical skills. (3) Presentations, providing students with the opportunity to present findings from selected publications, either individually or in groups, through a deep and critical lens.