Students
BIOL3110 – Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics
2020 – Session 2, Infrequent attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Adam Stow
|
|---|---|
| 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
|
| 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
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commentary Article | 5% | Yes | 21/8/20 |
| Scientific Report | 20% | No | 16/10/20 |
| Problem Tests | 30% | No | Week 6 and Week 13 |
| Seminar | 15% | No | Week 9-10 |
| Final Examination | 30% | No | 13/11/20 |
Commentary Article
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 6 hours
Due: 21/8/20
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
Scientific Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 34 hours
Due: 16/10/20
Weighting: 20%
You are required to prepare a scientific manuscript based on the data analysed in the computer lab tutorial. Your manuscript should structured according to the author instructions for ‘original articles’ in the journal Evolution:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291558-5646/homepage/ForAuthors.html
This will be submitted via TURNITIN. Further information, discussion and resources (including a marking rubric) will be provided prior to and during the computer lab tutorial.
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 Week 13
Weighting: 30%
Students will submit two mathematical problem sets based tutorial 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
Seminar
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Week 9-10
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
Final Examination
Assessment Type 1: Examination
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: 13/11/20
Weighting: 30%
You will be tested on your knowledge of course content, including information from all lectures and tutorials, plus prescribed reading from the textbook (Frankham et al.) and other sources. No mathematical problem solving will be required in this examination. Check online (www.mq.edu.au) for scheduling updates towards the end of the teaching session.
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
Unit materials will be available on iLearn™ (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au). This is the primary conduit for communication in this subject. Use it for:
- Regularly checking subject announcements and communications;
- Downloading lecture, laboratory and reference materials;
- Uploading Assignments to TURNITIN via embedded links;
- Checking your grades.
Your user name is your student number, and your password is your myMQ student portal password.
If you are having problems logging on, please contact Student IT Help, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 674 357 (outside Sydney).
If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Enquiry Services website at http://www.student.mq.edu.au/ses/ for information on how to get assistance.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/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
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Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
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