School: School of Arts and Sciences

Semester: Monsoon 2022 

Application Deadline: July 25, 2022

Credits: 3

Lecture Time & Weekdays

Tuesday, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Thursday, 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Prerequisite: A course in Molecular Biology at the Bachelor's degree level.

Course Description

Forensic Biotechnology is designed to teach the application of biological sciences in forensic investigation processes using molecular biology techniques. This course covers an introduction to Forensic Science, cutting-edge developments in forensic biotechnology, DNA fingerprinting, its ethics, rules and forensic aspect for identification purposes, single nucleotide polymorphisms, ancestry, and phenotypic markers. In this course, the student will also get acquainted with various basic and latest molecular biology techniques that are being used for DNA profiling. This is an advanced level course aimed at preparing students for a better understanding of DNA profiling and certification, and its importance  in the Indian judiciary system.

Course Objectives: 

  • To provide an extensive knowledge of DNA profiling and its application
  • To exhibit the technical, conceptual and innovative approaches of DNA technology used in forensics
  • To build skills of scientific inquiry for forensic DNA profiling

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • Describe the significance of DNA profiling in various civil and criminal trials
  • Comprehend how to extract DNA from different biological materials in various conditions for forensic purposes
  • Gain in-depth knowledge of how different molecular biology techniques can be used for DNA profiling
  • Think critically and discuss the legal and ethical issues of DNA profiling in the forensic investigation process

Pedagogy: Class interaction, Group discussion, Project/Lab based assignment, Case study

Expectation from Students: Regular attendance, doing the pre-reading is required. Students are expected to know the basics of DNA and molecular techniques fors class Interactions and group discussion.

Assessment/Evaluation

  • Other Components:
    • Class participation - 10%
    • Assignment - 20%
    • Infographic - 20%
  • Mid-Semester Examination:
    • Written - 20%
  • End Semester Examination:
    • Written - 30%

Attendance Policy: As per Ahmedabad University Policy

Project/Assignment Details: 

As part of the continuous evaluation, students are expected to complete an assignment.

The objective of this assignment is to encourage students to get hands on exposure to the molecular biology techniques used for DNA profiling and also develop a new methodology or a modification in existing protocols to mitigate current challenges in DNA profiling. This assignment will be based on problem/project based pedagogy.

The assignment will be carried out after the mid-semester examination and evaluated before the end semester examination.

Course Material

Text Book(s)

  • DNA Fingerprinting: Advancements and Future Endeavors, Hirak Ranjan Dash, Pankaj Shrivastava, Braja Kishore Mohapatra, Surajit Das, 1st Edition, Springer, ISBN: 978-981-13-1582-4, Year: 2018
  • Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology, John M. Butler, 1st Edition, Elsevier, ISBN: 9780123745132, Year: 2011
  • Forensic Biology, Richard Li, 2nd Edition, CRC Press, ISBN: 13: 978-1439889701, Year: 2015

Reference Book

  • An Introduction to Forensic Genetics, William Goodwin, Adrian Linacre, Sibte Hadi, 2nd Edition Edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, ISBN: 978-0-470-71019-7, Year: 2010,

Faculty

ritesh shukla

RITESH SHUKLA

Assistant Professor
School of Arts and Sciences

[email protected]

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