GEN3062

Conservation and ecological genetics ( 6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Associate Professor Steve McKechnie

Offered:
Clayton Second semester 2005 (Day)

Synopsis: Conservation requires knowledge of the reproductive and field biology of threatened plant and animal species. Modern molecular-genetic techniques provide valuable insights into population and breeding structure, movement patterns, and into levels of genetic relatedness and inbreeding within and between populations. Ecologically and evolutionary important processes that are affected by genetic variation levels, including resistance to disease, resistance to pollution and to environmental stress, and the process of adaptation to changing environments, are explained. Experience with relevant genetic techniques and with population genetic analyses are an integral part of the subject.

Objectives: On completion of this unit, students will: achieve an understanding of the genetic structure of animal and plant populations, achieve an understanding of genetic factors and their interactions with environmental and management factors that influence the potential of a species to adapt and to avoid extinction, experience methods and techniques used in detecting, documenting and analysis of population genetic variation, and species variation, across a range of organisms, acquire skills in the collection, presentation and interpretation of genetic attributes of population data, have experience in written and oral presentation of scientific information and ideas, be able to interact positively and productively with partners, and to benefit from critical feedback

Assessment: Written (2000 words): 15% + Examination (3 hours): 50% + Practical reports and oral presentation: 35%

Contact Hours: 2 hours lectures and 3 hours practical/ tutorial/ discussion group per week

Prerequisites: at least 18 points at level two from any of Biological Sciences GEN, BOT, ZOO, BIO and MOL units, or BMS2042 (BBiomedSc students only)