GEN3062 · Evolutionary and ecological genetics

Overview

Biodiversity which encompasses the genetic diversity found in single populations to the global distribution of species and their interactions is the outcome of evolutionary processes. Whether your primary interests lean towards ecology and conservation, the genetic basis of heritable disease, the control of natural enemies (e.g., common pests and pathogens), or some other feature of life, a solid working knowledge of evolutionary biology is critical for understanding the world in which we live and for making progress in many areas of basic and applied research in biology. This unit takes an evolutionary and ecological genetics approach to understanding evolution. It will sharpen your understanding of four fundamental evolutionary processes—mutation, genetic drift, natural selection, and gene flow—and you will develop a deeper understanding of their roles in shaping biodiversity. As a way of emphasising the importance of evolutionary genetics in biodiversity, you will explore how evolutionary principles can help us predict evolutionary responses to global change, including climate change and invasive species. You will also explore how evolutionary genetics helps us understand sexual reproduction and various features of human evolution, including human genetic diversity and the genetic basis of complex traits and disease. Finally, you will illustrate how evolutionary and ecological genetics can contribute to biodiversity management and conservation

Areas of study: Genetics and Genomics

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Describe the role of evolutionary processes in diverse biological contexts.
2. Define genetic diversity, explain how to measure it, and explain how the different types of genetic diversity influence evolutionary processes;
3. Explain quantitative, genomic and experimental approaches to measuring genetic variation and studying evolution in natural populations.
4. Illustrate how evolution by natural selection can be detected, and how evolution and genetic diversity are central to the successful management of biodiversity, invasive species and disease.
5. Demonstrate high-level skills in data collection, analysis and interpretation, and data presentation, and apply these in the preparation and presentation of scientific reports in written form and oral presentations.
6. Critically evaluate and summarise new discoveries from the scientific literature in the field of applied evolutionary genetics.

Workload

• Two hours of lectures; • One 2-hour laboratory class (for 9 weeks); • One 3-hour laboratory session (for 3 weeks) and • Six-seven hours of self-directed study per week

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.