LMP330H1 – Genetic and Computational Modeling in Human Development and Disease

Course description

Enrolment is limited to students in the Pathobiology specialist program.

This course introduces the use and impact of genetic model systems and organisms in exploring aspects of human reproduction, development, aging and disease.

We will highlight ethical issues in animal research, genetic manipulation, and disease modeling.

This course also introduces the bioinformatics concepts and methods used in biological data analysis.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• paraphrase fundamental principles in model species and computational modeling
• describe the strengths and weaknesses of models used to address open questions in development and disease
• explain how to apply genetic and computational models to address a scientific question.

Course coordinators

Dr. David Irwin

Office address: 1 King’s College Circle, MSB Room 6211
david.irwin@utoronto.ca 

Dr. Karim Mekhail

Office address: 661 University Ave, MaRS Centre West Tower Room 1513 
karim.mekhail@utoronto.ca

Dr. Rahul Krishnan

Office address: Medical Sciences Building (MSB)
rahulgk@cs.toronto.edu 

Teaching assistant

Anisha Hundal 

anisha.hundal@mail.utoronto.ca 

Course details

• Hours: 24L/12T
• Prerequisite information: Enrolment is limited to students in the Pathobiology specialist program
• Prerequisite: LMP200H1, BIO260H1/HMB265H1
• Exclusions: LMP408H1
• Recommended preparation: None
• Distribution requirements: Science
• Breadth requirement: Living Things and Their Environment (4)          
• Enrolment limits: 55 students

Student evaluation

The learning objectives of this course (LMP330) will be assessed through assignments, participation in a debate, and a final assessment. There will be three written assignments and the class will be divided into three groups for the debate (see Quercus for more details). The final assessment will cover material from all lectures in the course and will be composed of short answer, short essay, and multiple choice questions.

Assignment 1

• Issued on: September 2, 2025
• Due date: October 2, 2025
• Coordinator: Dr. David Irwin
• Percentage: 15%

Assignment 2

• Issued on: October 7, 2025
• Due date: November 17, 2025
• Coordinator: Dr. Karim Mekhail
• Percentage: 15%

Assignment 3

• Issued on: November 10, 2025
• Due date: November 21, 2025
• Coordinator: Dr. Rahul Krishnan
• Percentage: 15%

Debate

• Issued on: November 25, 2025
• Due date: November 25, 2025
• Coordinator: All
• Percentage: 15%

Final Assessment

• Issued on: TBA
• Due date: TBA
• Coordinator: All
• Percentage: 40%

See information on Academic Integrity

Schedule

This course is a lecture-based course and attendance is expected for you to acquire complete lecture details.

The course is organized as one weekly 2-hour lecture followed by a 1-hour tutorial period. Some classes may extend into the tutorial period.

We will provide activities outside of class time to reinforce course concepts and aid in understanding. We will make draft PowerPoint slides and other lecture-specific material available on the Quercus website prior to lectures. Final versions of class lecture PowerPoint slides may not be posted to Quercus. 

Lecture topics are subject to change. We will list finalized lecture topics in the official syllabus

Recommended reading or text book

Links to recommended/required readings (journal articles) will be posted on Quercus.