General research methods, course for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students - Part 1 (LÆK106F)

This course is taught as four independent modules, that the student should choose from based on their prior education and training and to best meet everyone´s educational goals. Successful completion of each module is awarded with 2 ECTS credits. M.Sc. student should at minimum choose three (6 ECTS) and Ph.D. students should at a minimum choose two modules (4 ECTS), and one of the modules chosen needs to be either module number 2 or 3.  The student is responsible to notify the course administrator about how many credits they intend to take and what modules before registration ends. Each module contains 3-4 lectures and a project.The modules are:

1. Article reading and data presentation
   1. How to read a paper and present your data
   2. Reference search and management (computer lab session)
   3. The scientific method
   4. ASSIGNMENT - Mini conference. Students will present their research project or paper (7 min)

2. Introduction to the scientific method

   1. Research ethics
   2. The philosophy of science
   3. Dishonesty in Science
   4. Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
   5. ASSIGNMENT – online project

3. Grant application, data collection and quality management
   1. Data handling and safety
   2. Permission applications/Research animals
   3. Quality management
   4. Grant applications
   5. ASSIGNMENT – preparation of grant application

4. Graduate student’s toolbox. This module is taught with the Center for graduate studies at their location in Setberg. This module is targeted towards graduate students (M.Sc./Ph.D.). The objective of the module is teaching graduate students transferable skills that can be applied to both academic research and research-oriented jobs
   1. Time Management
   2. Managing the Graduate Student - Advisor relationship
   3. Academic English
   4. Academic CV workshop
   5. ASSIGNMENT – Students write an academic CV in English.

General research methods, course for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students - Part 2 (LÆK0ALF)

This course is taught as four independent modules, that the student should choose from based on their prior education and training and to best meet everyone´s educational goals. Successful completion of each module is awarded with 2 ECTS credits. M.Sc. student should at minimum choose three (6 ECTS) and Ph.D. students should at a minimum choose two modules (4 ECTS), and one of the modules chosen needs to be either module number 2 or 3.  The student is responsible to notify the course administrator about how many credits they intend to take and what modules before registration ends. Each module contains 3-4 lectures and a project. A pass for each module is granted for 75% attendance (or watching lecture online) and the timely return of an assignment. The modules are:

1. Article reading and data presentation
   1. How to read a paper and present your data
   2. Reference search and management (computer lab session)
   3. The scientific method
   4. ASSIGNMENT - Mini conference. Students will present their research project or paper (7 min)

2. Introduction to the scientific method

   1. Research ethics
   2. The philosophy of science
   3. Dishonesty in Science
   4. Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
   5. ASSIGNMENT – online project

3. Grant application, data collection and quality management
   1. Data handling and safety
   2. Permission applications/Research animals
   3. Quality management
   4. Grant applications
   5. ASSIGNMENT – preparation of grant application

4. Graduate student’s toolbox. This module is taught with the Center for graduate studies at their location in Setberg. This module is targeted towards graduate students (M.Sc./Ph.D.). The objective of the module is teaching graduate students transferable skills that can be applied to both academic research and research-oriented jobs
   1. Time Management
   2. Managing the Graduate Student - Advisor relationship
   3. Academic English
   4. Academic CV workshop
   5. ASSIGNMENT – Students write an academic CV in English.

General research methods, course for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students - Part 3 (LÆK0AMF)

This course is taught as four independent modules, that the student should choose from based on their prior education and training and to best meet everyone´s educational goals. Successful completion of each module is awarded with 2 ECTS credits. M.Sc. student should at minimum choose three (6 ECTS) and Ph.D. students should at a minimum choose two modules (4 ECTS), and one of the modules chosen needs to be either module number 2 or 3.  The student is responsible to notify the course administrator about how many credits they intend to take and what modules before registration ends. Each module contains 3-4 lectures and a project. A pass for each module is granted for 75% attendance (or watching lecture online) and the timely return of an assignment. The modules are:

1. Article reading and data presentation
   1. How to read a paper and present your data
   2. Reference search and management (computer lab session)
   3. The scientific method
   4. ASSIGNMENT - Mini conference. Students will present their research project or paper (7 min)

2. Introduction to the scientific method

   1. Research ethics
   2. The philosophy of science
   3. Dishonesty in Science
   4. Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
   5. ASSIGNMENT – online project

3. Grant application, data collection and quality management
   1. Data handling and safety
   2. Permission applications/Research animals
   3. Quality management
   4. Grant applications
   5. ASSIGNMENT – preparation of grant application

4. Graduate student’s toolbox. This module is taught with the Center for graduate studies at their location in Setberg. This module is targeted towards graduate students (M.Sc./Ph.D.). The objective of the module is teaching graduate students transferable skills that can be applied to both academic research and research-oriented jobs
   1. Time Management
   2. Managing the Graduate Student - Advisor relationship
   3. Academic English
   4. Academic CV workshop
   5. ASSIGNMENT – Students write an academic CV in English.

General research methods, course for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students - Part 4 (LÆK0ANF)

This course is taught as four independent modules, that the student should choose from based on their prior education and training and to best meet everyone´s educational goals. Successful completion of each module is awarded with 2 ECTS credits. M.Sc. student should at minimum choose three (6 ECTS) and Ph.D. students should at a minimum choose two modules (4 ECTS), and one of the modules chosen needs to be either module number 2 or 3.  The student is responsible to notify the course administrator about how many credits they intend to take and what modules before registration ends. Each module contains 3-4 lectures and a project. A pass for each module is granted for 75% attendance (or watching lecture online) and the timely return of an assignment. The modules are:

1. Article reading and data presentation
   1. How to read a paper and present your data
   2. Reference search and management (computer lab session)
   3. The scientific method
   4. ASSIGNMENT - Mini conference. Students will present their research project or paper (7 min)

2. Introduction to the scientific method

   1. Research ethics
   2. The philosophy of science
   3. Dishonesty in Science
   4. Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
   5. ASSIGNMENT – online project

3. Grant application, data collection and quality management
   1. Data handling and safety
   2. Permission applications/Research animals
   3. Quality management
   4. Grant applications
   5. ASSIGNMENT – preparation of grant application

4. Graduate student’s toolbox. This module is taught with the Center for graduate studies at their location in Setberg. This module is targeted towards graduate students (M.Sc./Ph.D.). The objective of the module is teaching graduate students transferable skills that can be applied to both academic research and research-oriented jobs
   1. Time Management
   2. Managing the Graduate Student - Advisor relationship
   3. Academic English
   4. Academic CV workshop
   5. ASSIGNMENT – Students write an academic CV in English.

MS-Research project (LÆK441L)

The Faculty of Medicine offers instruction and training for an MS degree in Medical Life Sciences. The MS degree is granted for 120 credits of postgraduate studies following the required university degree. The MS programme is open to graduates having completed a Cand. Med. degree in medicine or a B.S. degree in biology, medicine, nursing, physiotherapy or Cand. Pharm. degree in pharmacy from the University of Iceland or another university which the Faculty deems to constitute satisfactory preparation for the programme. Applications should be submitted from the applicant and his/her tutor, who should be a teacher of the Medical Faculty, to the Postgraduate committee. For further information contact the office of the Faculty of Medicine.

Biostatistics I (LÝÐ105F)

This course is an introduction to statistics in the life sciences. The course covers the following topics. Types of data: categorical data, count data, data on continuous variables. Descriptive statistics; numerical statistics and statistical graphs. Probability distributions, the binomial distribution, the Poisson distribution and the normal distribution. The definitions of a random sample and of a population. Sampling distributions. Confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. Comparison of means between groups. Statistical tests for frequency tables. Linear and logistic regression with ROC analysis. Survival analysis with the methods of Kaplan-Meier and Cox. The course is based on lectures and practical sessions in computer labs. In the practical sessions exercises are solved with the statistical software package R and the RStudio environment.

Laboratory Animal Science EU Function ABD (formerly FELASA Category C) (LÆK0AHF)

The course is an electronic course organised by Copenhagen University in collaboration with University of Iceland. The course is the responsibility of Institute for Experimental Pathology at Keldur, Biomedical Center, the Food and Veterinary Authority and ArcticLAS.

Aim and content:

Entrance requirements are postgraduate studies towards a MSc or PhD degree in life sciences and basic knowledge in physiology and anatomy, and preferably etology and/or pharmacology.

This course is intended only for persons who work independently with laboratory animals. The practical exercises require participants to work with live animals, which should be in the strictest accordance to animal welfare legislation.

The course gives a practical and theoretic introduction to handling, housing and using laboratory animals and how to replace, refine and reduce the use of live animals for research.

The course is run electronically by Copenhagen University and is a function A/B/D course according to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU Article 23.2 (previously designated category C), accredited by the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA).

Due to the practical exercises, maximum number of participants is 15, in 5 person groups. The course concludes by oral exam online, conducted by the course organisers at Copenhagen University.

To qualify for the FELASA A/B/D licence, the participant both must pass the practical exercises and the exam.  The licence entitles the holder to independently plan, implement and take responsibility for the design and performance of animal experimentation within the European Union according to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU Article 23.2

The course adheres to the EU Directive 2010/63/EU and the more detailed learning outcomes described by EU's expert working group in 'A working document on the development of a common education and training framework to fulfil the requirements under the Directive' (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/lab_animals/pdf/Endorsed_E-T.pdf)

The theoretical part will be given as access to an online portal with the theory given as online lectures, videos and quizzes, with the possibility of online discussion with teachers on regular occasions during online webinars. Lectures on Icelandic legislation regarding the use of animals for scientific purposes are given by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority in one of the University of Iceland’s lecture rooms.

The practical teaching will be given at ArcticLAS, Krókhálsi 5d, 110 Reykjavík.

The Biology and Mechanisms of Disease, Interactions of Genetics and the Environment (LÆK015F)

This course deals with the biological changes that are the basis of disease processes and the role played by genes and/or environment. The course is particularly intended for postgraduate students in the Faculty of Medicine who do not have a medical background. Each topic will be introduced by a lecture on a selected theme. Recent research papers on each topic for discussion will be distributed at the beginning of the course and it is expected that the whole group will be prepared to participate in the discussion.

Ten double sessions: lecture and discussion.

The course is conducted in English.

Practical Bioinformatics (LEI106F)

Basic concepts in bioinformatics will be covered and the main databases for DNA/RNA and amino acid sequences introduced. Different methods of bioinformatics will be discussed such as sequence comparison and searches in protein and DNA/RNA databases. An introduction will be given to sequence comparison and evolutionary biology. An emphasis will be put on students knowing and being able to use the main protein/DNA databases. Also, there will be an introduction to computer programs used in bioinformatics work.

Teaching will take place with lectures and practical problem solving. The course is designed to be practical; assignments must be finished throughout the semester and will thus require the active participation of the student.

General statistics, course for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students (LÆK101F)

Compulsory course. The aim of the course is to provide post graduate students with practical and generic skills required in research. Items covered in the course are descriptive statistics, effect statistics, validity and reliability, inferential statistics, common parametric and nonparametric statistical tests and multiple regression analysis. The students are introduced to computer statistical analysis in practical computer classes.

MS-Research project (LÆK441L)

The Faculty of Medicine offers instruction and training for an MS degree in Medical Life Sciences. The MS degree is granted for 120 credits of postgraduate studies following the required university degree. The MS programme is open to graduates having completed a Cand. Med. degree in medicine or a B.S. degree in biology, medicine, nursing, physiotherapy or Cand. Pharm. degree in pharmacy from the University of Iceland or another university which the Faculty deems to constitute satisfactory preparation for the programme. Applications should be submitted from the applicant and his/her tutor, who should be a teacher of the Medical Faculty, to the Postgraduate committee. For further information contact the office of the Faculty of Medicine.

Stem cells and differentiation (LÆK028F)

To introduce stem cell research to graduate students in the biomedical sciences, provide an overview of how stem cells can be applied for therapeutic use and to advance our understanding of tissue architecture and disease progression.

In this course we will discuss different stem cell systems and dissect the current knowledge of how these cells maintain self-renewal and/or proceed to differentiation. During the course students will gain insight into both embryonic and somatic stem cell research including hematopoietic, mesenchymal and various epithelial stem cell populations. Furthermore, we will discuss the therapeutic importance of various stem cells and discuss the link between stem cells and diseases such as cancer.

In each lecture one principal investigator (PI) will introduce a particular aspect of the stem cell field (35 min.). Afterwards, one student will present a research article related to that field and discuss how that particular study was conducted. In their presentations, the students need to: 1) Introduce the background of the research article and the history of the concept being investigated. The key here is to understand the reason for why the work was done and why it is important. 2) Describe the aim of the study and the experimental design (methods and material). 3) Discuss the major results/findings (figures and tables). 4) Summarize the context of the work and discuss major conclusions made by the authors. Present your own view, what is good and what is bad in the experimental design and results. Finally discuss future experiments that need to be or should be conducted. After the presentation all students will participate in active discussion. In addition to this, the students must select a couple of articles on a stem cell topic of their immediate interest and write a short report in english (4-6 pages). At the end of the course a seminar is scheduled where each student presents his/her report in short talk (7-10 min.).

Methods in immunology (LÆK071F)

A practical course introducing many commonly used methods in immunology. This will be a hands-on practical course conducted at the laboratory bench. Methods will include: Measurements of humoral immunity: ELISA, ELIspot, complement. Measurements of cellular immune responses: Flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, culture and stimulation of cells, measurements of cytokines (ELIspot, cytokine bead assay, cytokine secretion assay), cytotoxicity, chemotaxis, phagocytosis. Antibodies as research tools: Immunostaining (fluorescent and immunoperoxidase), ELISA. The course will take place mostly at Department of Immunology, Landspitali University Hospital. The course will be taught in English if necessary.

Practical sessions will be taught on saturdays or tuesday, wednesday and thursday between 16-21.

Biology of Cancer (LÆK092F)

The course will cover the biological basis of the development of cancer and its characteristics. Each topic will be reviewed first in a lecture and then discussed on the basis of a recent original research paper. Each will be introduced by one student and then discussed by the group. The papers will be distributed at the beginning of the course.

Topics: Introduction, carcinogens, oncogenes/tumour suppressor genes, TP53, stages of carcinogenesis, pre-malignangt lesions, cancer stem cells, animal models, chromosomal instability, genomic instability, evolution of cancer, epigenetics.

Course schedule: The course will consist of 12 double lessons, with a lecture in the first lesson and discussion of a paper in the second lesson.

Immunology, basic research topics (LÆK093F)

The course is for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences or related fields. The course is mandatory for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students enrolled in the Graduate Programme in Immunology. The main topics will be introduction of research in immunology with emphasis on new topics and novel findings in basic research. In addition, research topics in clinical immunology, such as allergy, autoimmune diseases, cancer, immune deficiencies and transplantation, pathology and newest treatments will be introduced, as well as research topics in immune interventions, including vaccinations and many other treatments of the immune system, such as bone marrow transplants, desensitisation, treatments with monoclonal antibodies and anti-inflammatory / immune regulatory drugs. Each class will start with an overview given by the teacher about a special topic in immunology, followed by analysis of research articles related to the particular topic, where one student presents the article but all students participate in the discussion. 

Molecular Genetics (LÍF644M)

Lectures: The molecular basis of life (chemical bonds, biological molecules, structure of DNA, RNA and proteins). Genomes and the flow of biological information. Chromosome structure and function, chromatin and nucleosomes. The cell cycle, DNA replication. Chromosome segregaition, Transcription. Regulation of transcription. RNA processing. Translation. Regulation of translation. Regulatory RNAs. Protein modification and targeting. DNA damage, checkpoints and DNA repair mechanisms. Repair of DNA double-strand breaks and homologous recombination. Mobile DNA elements. Tools and techniques in molecular Biology icluding Model organisms.

Seminar: Students present and discuss selected research papers and hand in a short essay.

Laboratory work: Work on molecular genetics project relevant to current research. Basic methods such as gene cloning, gene transfer and expression, PCR, sequencing, DNA isolation and restriction analysis, electrophoresis of DNA and proteins will be used.

Exam: Laboratory 10%, seminar 15%, written final exam 75%.

Cell Biology II (LÍF614M)

The emphasis is on research articles. Resent research in various field with links to cell biology are included but can vary between years. For each lecture max three research articles are included.

Each student gives a seminar on one research article with details on methods and results. The students write a report (essay) on the article and discusses the results in a critical way.

Examples of topics included in the course: innate immunity, prions, the proteins pontin and reptin, polarized epithelium, development of trachea, data analyses and gene expression, autophagy, the origin of the nucleus.