ECOLOGICAL GENETICS AND EVOLUTION RESEARCH PROJECT

EEE3PRJ

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

In this subject, students will apply knowledge and skills to undertake a small phylogeographic or phylogenetic research project focusing on a freshwater or terrestrial organism. The research project will be completed in small teams and will involve synthesising the current literature, developing a testable hypothesis, collecting, analysing and interpreting data, and presenting the research findings in oral and written formats. Students will develop essential skills in field sampling, molecular laboratory work and genetic analysis. This subject addresses La Trobe's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Essential, which entails developing the ability to tackle problems creatively, generating new ideas, taking calculated risks and creating change to achieve ambitions - now and in the future.

School: Life Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Zoia Hristova

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: Yes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: GEN2EGE

Co-requisites: EEE3EGE

Incompatible subjects: GEN3EEG

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Evolutionary analysis

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Freeman S and Herron JC

Year: 2007

Edition/Volume: 4th ed

Publisher: PEARSON EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Evolutionary applications: Evolutionary approaches to environmental, biomedical and socio-economic issues

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Louis Bernatchez

Year: N/A

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: Wiley

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

From DNA to Diversity: Molecular Genetics and the Evolution of Animal Design

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Carroll, SB, Grenier J, Watherbee S

Year: 2004

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Leadership and Teamwork

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Locate, evaluate and synthesise scientific literature from the field of ecological and evolutionary genetics.
02. Work collaboratively in a team to propose a testable hypothesis, design and conduct a research project.
03. Demonstrate good sampling techniques and apply advanced molecular genetics laboratory methods to generate and analyse experimental data.
04. Analyse and evaluate genetic data using relevant statistical methods.
05. Effectively communicate scientific information and research findings in written and verbal formats to a variety of audiences.
06. Present project results as a team and take part in group discussion.

Melbourne (Bundoora), 2020, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Zoia Hristova

Class requirements

PracticalWeek: 31 - 43
One 6.00 hours practical per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementCommentsCategoryContributionHurdle%ILO*

Literature review (Intro) and methods (1,000-words)Annotated Bibliography (250-words)

N/AN/AN/ANo20SILO1

Genetics analysis worksheet (250-words)

N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO4

Statistical analysis worksheet (250-words)

N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO4

Major project report (2,500-words; team work 10%; written assessment task 90%)

N/AN/AN/ANo50SILO2, SILO3, SILO4, SILO5

Group presentation of results and discussion (500-words)

N/AN/AN/ANo10SILO6