Students

BIOL3110 – Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics

2024 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Adam Stow
adam.stow@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above including BIOL2110 or BIOL206
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
BIOLX3110
Unit description Unit description

Ongoing advances in molecular technology, statistics and bioinformatics have revolutionized our ability to gather and apply genetic information. This unit deals with the distribution of genetic variation among individuals, populations and species, and the relevance of such variation to evolutionary processes. Specific topics include selection and adaptive potential; mutation; inbreeding; population divergence; speciation; effective population size and extinction risk. Approaches to the study of genetic variation are explored at levels ranging from pedigree analysis to molecular genomics. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of evolutionary genetics to the conservation, management and restoration of wild populations.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain why and how genetic factors have key importance in conservation biology
  • ULO2: Explain the importance of genetic diversity, and identify the phenomena that influence and maintain genetic diversity in populations
  • ULO3: Identify and apply appropriate statistical formulae to solve questions in conservation and evolutionary genetics
  • ULO4: Apply conservation genetic theory in order to propose management strategies for both wild and captive populations
  • ULO5: Synthesise and evaluate information on contemporary topics in conservation and evolutionary genetics

General Assessment Information

Requirements to pass this Unit: 

Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%

Late Penalties

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration. 

Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted 

  • Commentary Article and Scientific Report – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies 
  • Seminar and Problem Tests - NO, unless Special Consideration is Granted 

Special Consideration

 

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Scientific Report 20% No Week 11, 15/5/2024
Final Examination 30% No TBA
Problem Tests 30% No Week 6 and 9
Commentary Article 5% Yes Week 3, 8/3/2024
Seminar 15% No Week 9, 26/4/2024

Scientific Report

Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 34 hours
Due: Week 11, 15/5/2024
Weighting: 20%

 

You are required to prepare a scientific manuscript based on the data analysed in the practical class. Further information, discussion and resources (including a marking rubric) will be provided prior to and during the practical class.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain why and how genetic factors have key importance in conservation biology
  • Explain the importance of genetic diversity, and identify the phenomena that influence and maintain genetic diversity in populations
  • Identify and apply appropriate statistical formulae to solve questions in conservation and evolutionary genetics
  • Apply conservation genetic theory in order to propose management strategies for both wild and captive populations
  • Synthesise and evaluate information on contemporary topics in conservation and evolutionary genetics

Final Examination

Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: TBA
Weighting: 30%

 

You will be tested on your knowledge of course content, including information from all lectures and practical class, plus prescribed reading from the textbook (Frankham et al.) and other sources. No mathematical problem solving will be required in this examination

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain why and how genetic factors have key importance in conservation biology
  • Explain the importance of genetic diversity, and identify the phenomena that influence and maintain genetic diversity in populations
  • Identify and apply appropriate statistical formulae to solve questions in conservation and evolutionary genetics
  • Apply conservation genetic theory in order to propose management strategies for both wild and captive populations
  • Synthesise and evaluate information on contemporary topics in conservation and evolutionary genetics

Problem Tests

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 16 hours
Due: Week 6 and 9
Weighting: 30%

 

Students will submit two mathematical problem sets based practical work.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain why and how genetic factors have key importance in conservation biology
  • Explain the importance of genetic diversity, and identify the phenomena that influence and maintain genetic diversity in populations
  • Identify and apply appropriate statistical formulae to solve questions in conservation and evolutionary genetics

Commentary Article

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: Week 3, 8/3/2024
Weighting: 5%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

You are required to write a short commentary article on a published paper dealing with genetic variation and conservation. This will require a short literature search to identify a relevant paper from among the leading journals in conservation genetics (incl. Science, Nature, PNAS, PLOS biology, Evolution, Molecular Ecology, Conservation Biology, Conservation Genetics + many others). You should then familiarize yourself with the paper and its methodologies and write a commentary in the style of those appearing in the ‘Perspectives’ section of the journal Science. This is an early assessment task, with assessment criteria weighted for participation and genuine effort (given the early stage of unit material delivery).You willsubmit this assignment via TURNITIN.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain why and how genetic factors have key importance in conservation biology
  • Explain the importance of genetic diversity, and identify the phenomena that influence and maintain genetic diversity in populations
  • Identify and apply appropriate statistical formulae to solve questions in conservation and evolutionary genetics
  • Apply conservation genetic theory in order to propose management strategies for both wild and captive populations
  • Synthesise and evaluate information on contemporary topics in conservation and evolutionary genetics

Seminar

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Week 9, 26/4/2024
Weighting: 15%

 

You are required to give an oral presentation using Powerpoint, based on one to several topical research paper(s) in conservation/ecological genetics. Conference presentations are a primary means of communicating knowledge in science, and these sessions will be conducted in the manner of a formal scientific conference. Time limits will be strictly enforced, and will constitute part of the assessment criteria for this task.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain why and how genetic factors have key importance in conservation biology
  • Explain the importance of genetic diversity, and identify the phenomena that influence and maintain genetic diversity in populations
  • Identify and apply appropriate statistical formulae to solve questions in conservation and evolutionary genetics
  • Apply conservation genetic theory in order to propose management strategies for both wild and captive populations
  • Synthesise and evaluate information on contemporary topics in conservation and evolutionary genetics

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Lectures will be mostly given live online (via zoom) with recordings available via ECHO. Tutorials will be face-to-face and online. Resources will be made available via ilearn.

Week 1 Lectures commence (first two lectures are pre recorded)

Practicals/Tutorials commence week 3

COVID Information

 

For the latest information on the University’s response to COVID-19, please refer to the Coronavirus infection page on the Macquarie website: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs. Remember to check this page regularly in case the information and requirements change during semester. If there are any changes to this unit in relation to COVID, these will be communicated via iLearn.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

The Writing Centre

The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page.

 

Student feedback from the previous offering of this unit was very positive overall, with students pleased with the clarity around assessment requirements and the level of support from teaching staff. As such, no change to the delivery of the unit is planned, however we will continue to strive to improve the level of support and the level of student engagement.

Unit information based on version 2024.02 of the Handbook