ECOLOGICAL GENETICS AND EVOLUTION

EEE3EGE

2019

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This subject introduces students to advanced ecological genetics and evolutionary theory applicable to all forms of life. It covers:(1) the origin, maintenance and distribution of genetic variation in natural populations;(2) evolutionary genetics of speciation and adaption in natural populations;(3) methods and applications of techniques in phylogenetic inference, including phylogeography and divergence time estimation;(4) the application of genomic techniques to ecology and evolution.There is no practical component to this subject, it is theory only. Students wishing to undertake a hands-on research component are encouraged to also enrol in the sister subject EEE3PRJ which entails a semester long project.

School: School of Life Sciences

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Susan Hoebee

Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG

Exchange Students: Yes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: GEN2EGE or GEN2EEG

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: GEN3EEG

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsEvolutionary Analysis (5th Ed)RecommendedHerron & Freeman, 2015Pearson
ReadingsA Primer of Ecological Genetics (3rd Ed)RecommendedHartl, 2011Sinauer
ReadingsAn Introduction to Molecular Evolution and PhylogeneticsRecommendedBromham, 2016Oxford

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Demonstrate knowledge, through explanation and discussion, of genetic concepts pertinent to ecology and evolution

Activities:
Students are taught about ecological and evolutionary theory and provided with examples during lectures and through associated readings and online education sites. Concept comprehension will be demonstrated in all assessment tasks, with the quizzes and literature review acting as feedback supplied through the semester for students to gauge their understanding prior to the final exam.

02. Produce a grammatically correct, well structured, coherent and scientifically accurate scientific literature review (c. 1750 words)

Activities:
Students will be given written and verbal guidance on review writing through the subject handbook, online via LMS as well as during lectures. They will be provided with information about ethical behaviour (e.g. avoid plagiarism) pertinent to and essay submission will be via turnitin.

Melbourne, 2019, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information:

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Susan Hoebee

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
Three 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Final 2 hr written exam (word equiv. 2000)5001
4 x online quizzes, 5% each (word equiv. 600)2001
Mid-semester essay (word equiv. 1750)3002