Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
School: Natural Sciences
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Genetics and EvolutionUnit Code
SCB2322Year
2015Enrolment Period
1Version
1Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Description
This unit introduces students to the fields of Mendelian molecular and population genetics. Inheritance is studied at the molecular, viral, cellular and organism levels and its importance in species survival is highlighted. Genetic processes are linked to evolution through a study of natural selection, mechanisms of speciation and patterns of evolutionary change.
Prerequisite Rule
Students must pass 2 units from SCI1183, SCI1187
Equivalent Rule
Unit was previously coded SCI2117
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate modern evolutionary theories.
- Describe the significance of DNA technology and explain its theoretical basis.
- Explain certain phenotypic traits in terms of chomosomal variations.
- Explain mechanisms of inheritance in terms of the behaviours and interactions of alleles and chromosomes.
- Explain the mechanisms of gene expression and its control in terms of the structure and chemistry of DNA.
- Link an understanding of population genetics with the concepts of evolutionary fitness and speciation.
- Perform simple chromosome mapping procedures using results from recombination experiments.
Unit Content
- Bacterial and viral genetics, recombinant DNA and genetic engineering.
- Chromosomal variations: polyploidy, deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations.
- Evolutionary patterns: adaptive radiation, competition, convergence and co-evolution. Rates of evolution and causes of extinction.
- Mendelian inheritance: independent assortment, segregation ratios, probability, allelic dominance, multiple-allele systems.
- Molecular genetics: DNA and chromosome structure and replication, cytoplasmic inheritance. Gene expression and its control: transcription and translation, the genetic code and the operon model. Mutation and mutagenesis.
- Natural selection, evolutionary fitness, population variation and differentiation. The species concept, isolating mechanisms, allopatric and sympatric speciation.
- Population genetics: allele and genotype frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, genetic drift and effects of inbreeding.
- Sex determination and sex-linked inheritance, linkage, crossing over and chromosome mapping.
Additional Learning Experience Information
Workshops, tutorials, online activities, directed reading, assignments, and laboratory work.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.
ON CAMPUS| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Assignment | Literature Review | 20% |
| Laboratory Work ^ | Laboratory/workshops | 40% |
| Examination | End of semester examination | 40% |
^ Mandatory to Pass
Text References
- ^ Klug, W.S., Cummings, M.R., Spencer, C.A., & Palladino, M.A. (2013). Essentials of genetics (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ; Pearson Prentice Hall.
- Darwin, C. (2008). On the origin of species. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Allendorf, F.W. (2013). Conservation and the genetics of populations. 2 Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Journal References
- Jencewski, E. (2013). Evolution: He who grabs too much loses all. Current Biology 23:R961-963.
- Trends in ecology and evolution
- Banks, S. (2013). How does ecological disturbance influence genetic diversity? Trends in ecology and evolution 28:670-679.
- Edelaar, P. & Bolnick, D.I. (2012). Non-random gene flow: an under-appreciated force in evolution and ecology. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 27:659-665.
- Hamede, R., laccish, S., Belov, K., Woods, G., Kreiss, A., Pearse, A-M., Lazenby, B., Jones, M., & McCallum, H. (2012). Reduced effect of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease at the disease front. Conservation Biology 26: 124-134.
- Trends in genetics
- Levy, S. (2013). Landscape genetics offers new insights. BioScience 63:613-618.
- Lundgren, J.G. & Duan, J.J. (2013). RNAi-based insecticidal crops: potential effects on non-target species. BioScience 63:657-665.
- Sunday, J.M., Calosi, P., Dupont, S., Munday, P.L., Stillman, J.H. and Reusch, T.B.H. (2014). Evolution in an acidifying ocean. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 29: 117-125.
- van der Giezen, M. (2011). Mitochondria and the rise of eukaryotes. BioScience 61:594-601.
- BioScience
- Conservation Biology
- Current Biology
Website References
^ Mandatory reference
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
SCB2322|1|1
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
School: Natural Sciences
This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
Unit Title
Genetics and EvolutionUnit Code
SCB2322Year
2015Enrolment Period
2Version
1Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Description
This unit introduces students to the fields of Mendelian molecular and population genetics. Inheritance is studied at the molecular, viral, cellular and organism levels and its importance in species survival is highlighted. Genetic processes are linked to evolution through a study of natural selection, mechanisms of speciation and patterns of evolutionary change.
Prerequisite Rule
Students must pass 2 units from SCI1183, SCI1187
Equivalent Rule
Unit was previously coded SCI2117
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Critically evaluate modern evolutionary theories.
- Describe the significance of DNA technology and explain its theoretical basis.
- Explain certain phenotypic traits in terms of chomosomal variations.
- Explain mechanisms of inheritance in terms of the behaviours and interactions of alleles and chromosomes.
- Explain the mechanisms of gene expression and its control in terms of the structure and chemistry of DNA.
- Link an understanding of population genetics with the concepts of evolutionary fitness and speciation.
- Perform simple chromosome mapping procedures using results from recombination experiments.
Unit Content
- Bacterial and viral genetics, recombinant DNA and genetic engineering.
- Chromosomal variations: polyploidy, deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations.
- Evolutionary patterns: adaptive radiation, competition, convergence and co-evolution. Rates of evolution and causes of extinction.
- Mendelian inheritance: independent assortment, segregation ratios, probability, allelic dominance, multiple-allele systems.
- Molecular genetics: DNA and chromosome structure and replication, cytoplasmic inheritance. Gene expression and its control: transcription and translation, the genetic code and the operon model. Mutation and mutagenesis.
- Natural selection, evolutionary fitness, population variation and differentiation. The species concept, isolating mechanisms, allopatric and sympatric speciation.
- Population genetics: allele and genotype frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, genetic drift and effects of inbreeding.
- Sex determination and sex-linked inheritance, linkage, crossing over and chromosome mapping.
Additional Learning Experience Information
Workshops, tutorials, online activities, directed reading, assignments, and laboratory work.
Assessment
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.
Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.
ON CAMPUS| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| Assignment | Literature Review | 20% |
| Laboratory Work ^ | Laboratory/workshops | 40% |
| Examination | End of semester examination | 40% |
^ Mandatory to Pass
Text References
- ^ Klug, W.S., Cummings, M.R., Spencer, C.A., & Palladino, M.A. (2013). Essentials of genetics (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ; Pearson Prentice Hall.
- Darwin, C. (2008). On the origin of species. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Allendorf, F.W. (2013). Conservation and the genetics of populations. 2 Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Journal References
- Jencewski, E. (2013). Evolution: He who grabs too much loses all. Current Biology 23:R961-963.
- Trends in ecology and evolution
- Banks, S. (2013). How does ecological disturbance influence genetic diversity? Trends in ecology and evolution 28:670-679.
- Edelaar, P. & Bolnick, D.I. (2012). Non-random gene flow: an under-appreciated force in evolution and ecology. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 27:659-665.
- Hamede, R., laccish, S., Belov, K., Woods, G., Kreiss, A., Pearse, A-M., Lazenby, B., Jones, M., & McCallum, H. (2012). Reduced effect of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease at the disease front. Conservation Biology 26: 124-134.
- Trends in genetics
- Levy, S. (2013). Landscape genetics offers new insights. BioScience 63:613-618.
- Lundgren, J.G. & Duan, J.J. (2013). RNAi-based insecticidal crops: potential effects on non-target species. BioScience 63:657-665.
- Sunday, J.M., Calosi, P., Dupont, S., Munday, P.L., Stillman, J.H. and Reusch, T.B.H. (2014). Evolution in an acidifying ocean. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 29: 117-125.
- van der Giezen, M. (2011). Mitochondria and the rise of eukaryotes. BioScience 61:594-601.
- BioScience
- Conservation Biology
- Current Biology
Website References
^ Mandatory reference
Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Academic Misconduct
Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- plagiarism;
- unauthorised collaboration;
- cheating in examinations;
- theft of other students' work;
Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.
The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.
SCB2322|1|2
