ECOLOGICAL GENETICS AND EVOLUTION
GEN2EGE
2017
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
In this subject ideas, concepts and methods relevant to the study of population genetics and evolution are presented. Areas covered include theoretical and quantitative methods of population genetic and phylogenetic analysis; macro- and microevolutionary theory; new concepts in evolutionary thinking (such as evolution & development, and epigenetics)
School: School of Life Sciences
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Warwick Grant
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 2 - UG
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: BIO1GEN or BIO1MGC or BIO1EEB
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: GEN2EEG
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Produce grammatically correct scientific reports that present evidence based explanations of laboratory experiments.
- Activities:
- Extensive outline of the desired layout and contents of the written task are included in the practical manual. Part of a practical session prior to each report being submitted is dedicated to explaining to the students how to complete the task.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
02. Conduct an oral presentation of scientific paper which the students have researched to their peers.
- Activities:
- Part of a practical session is dedicated to teaching the students what constitutes a good oral presentation. Information is also included in the prac manual.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Speaking(Speaking)
03. Analyse and evaluate numerical data from experiments and apply relevant quantitative methods to genetic concepts.
- Activities:
- Students work in small groups or individually during a practical session to learn how to apply statistics to test scientific hypotheses and determine significance.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
04. Demonstrate independent research skills by locating and evaluating relevant scientific information to generate practical reports.
- Activities:
- Students are taught in a practical session how to search online databases for appropriate scientific literature.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
05. Place theoretical and/or experimental information into the appropriate discipline specific context.
- Activities:
- Students taught to incorporate information from both lectures and practical sessions to make sound discipline - specific arguments in their scientific reports and theory exam.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
- Writing(Writing)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
06. Explain genetics concepts, including patterns of inheritance, principles of genetic analysis (eg. mutations in pedigrees and model organisms, applications of DNA sequence, phylogenetics) and evolution by natural selection.
- Activities:
- orking individually or in small groups students will learn how to interpret and evaluate genetics literature and concepts and apply their knowledge to solving discipline specific problems.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Writing(Writing)
- Inquiry/ Research(Inquiry/ Research)
- Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy(Quantitative Literacy/ Numeracy)
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
- Critical Thinking(Critical Thinking)
07. Apply basic experimental genetic techniques in research.
- Activities:
- In lectures students are taught about the various techniques used in research and the rationale behind choosing a specific technique to address a particular question. In practical classes the students participate in hands-on experiments demonstrating those techniques.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline-specific GCs(Discipline-specific GCs)
Melbourne, 2017, Semester 1, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Warwick Grant
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Three 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Laboratory ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 3.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| One x 2hr exam | 60 | 03, 05, 06 | |
| Oral presentation (10 min) | 10 | 02, 04, 05, 06 | |
| Two x scientific report (approx 1000 words each) | 30 | 01, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07 |