Unit Guide

General Information

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
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. Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Life on Land

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

To pass this unit you must achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50% We strongly encourage all students to actively participate in all learning activities. Regular engagement is crucial for your success in this unit, as these activities provide opportunities to deepen your understanding of the material, collaborate with peers, and receive valuable feedback from instructors, to assist in completing the unit assessments. Your active participation not only enhances your own learning experience but also contributes to a vibrant and dynamic learning environment for everyone. Late Assessment Submission Penalty 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. 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 https://connect.mq.edu.au.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Scientific Report	20%	No	Week 11
Commentary Article	5%	Yes	Week 3
Seminar	15%	No	29/4/2025
Problem Tests	30%	No	Weeks 6 and 13
Final Examination	30%	No	TBA

Scientific Report

Assessment Type ¹: Report
Indicative Time on Task ²: 34 hours
Due: Week 11
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.