Undergraduate Course: Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics 3 (BILG09004)
Course Outline
| School | School of Biological Sciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 9 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Behaviour of genetic variation in populations and its relevance to conservation. Evolution at the molecular level, and the use of molecular information in construction of phylogenies. The genetic basis of Quantitative variation. Natural selection due to interaction with the physical and biotic environment. The evolution of breeding systems. |
| Course description |
This course will introduce you to the processes that underlie evolutionary change in natural populations. Subjects dealt with range from molecular evolution to the genetic consequences of interactions between species, and from variation at single genes to speciation itself. The course is intended to provide an integrated view, combining theoretical and experimental approaches to the study of evolution with a consideration of both pure and applied aspects of evolutionary change. There is a strong emphasis on the development of numerical skills needed for the analysis and interpretation of genetic data and a quantitative approach to the study of evolution.
The first set of lectures cover three major themes:
¿ The behaviour of genes in populations: natural selection, genetic drift, inbreeding, and the application of this knowledge in conservation.
¿ Molecular Evolution. Understanding evolutionary change of proteins and DNA. Testing for natural selection at the molecular level. Molecular phylogenetics and tree building
¿ The genetic basis of quantitative variation. Selection on quantitative characters.
Problem based tutorials accompany these lectures. The course then considers a series of special topics including Evolution of Host-Parasite interactions, and Speciation.
In course assessment comprises a course essay and practicals associated with the lectures. Practicals include a computer simulation of evolutionary processes, a phylogenetic tree building exercise and the analysis of quantitative genetic variation in humans.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
It is RECOMMENDED that students have passed
Evolution in Action 2 (BILG08005)
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Equivalent of the courses listed above |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2017/18, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 23,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 5,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 10,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 1,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Revision Session Hours 3,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
152 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Normally two items of in-course assessment plus one 2 hour exam. |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
|
| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Evolutionary and Ecological Genetics 3 | 2:00 | | | Resit Exam Diet (August) | | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
| Increased understanding of biological processes. Detailed learning outcomes will be provided later.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Studying at the University of Edinburgh is intended to develop abilities in 6 broad categories, outlined below. These relate to the learning outcomes of EEG as follows:
1) Knowledge and understanding
You will be exposed to leading-edge ideas in evolutionary genetics, and obtain a broad-base understanding of how this subject is central to biology as a whole.
2) Research and Enquiry
You will be expected to read the course text books, material cited in the lectures and references mentioned in the lecture notes. Furthermore, by researching and enquiring into the subject beyond the lectures and ICA, you will obtain a deeper understanding of the subject than is possible by limiting yourself to the material provided in-course.
3) Personal and Intellectual Autonomy
You will have a chance to synthesise your own views at many points in the course, since the subject matter is cutting edge, and the views of the scientists themselves are evolving. Through the essay, you will have a chance at in depth thinking and reading about a specific topic and explain your own opinions on this subject in a concise, logical manner.
4) Communication.
You will be expected to fully participate in the problem solving sessions and in the essay tutorials. By concise report writing and essay writing, with feedback, it is expected that your communication skills will benefit.
5) Personal Effectiveness
Several items of in course assessment contribute to the final mark, as does the exam itself. Each of these has deadlines, and it is crucial to organise your time effectively to meet these deadlines in timely fashion. This will be aided by careful note taking within the lectures and from the books and original literature suggested.
6) Technical/practical skills
At various points during the course you will be exposed to simple algebra and statistics, which are fundamental scientific skills, and important in many aspects of everyday life. Some of this may be new. You will also have the opportunity to upgrade your skills through the use of bioinformatic and other software tools and data analysis software. |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
Tuesday 1.30 - 2.50 Lecture
Tuesday 3.00 - 5.00 Prac/Tut(week 10 4.00 - 5.00)
Friday 1.30 - 2.50 Lecture
Friday 3.00 - 5.00 Prac/Tut(week 10 4.00 - 5.00) |
| Keywords | EEG3 |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Darren Obbard
Tel: (0131 6)51 7781
Email: |
Course secretary | Mr Angus Galloway
Tel: (0131 6)51 3689
Email: |
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