School: Science
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
GeneticsUnit Code
SCI2117Year
2016Enrolment Period
1Version
2Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Description
This unit introduces students to the fields of transmission, molecular and population genetics. Inheritance is studied at the molecular, cellular and organismal 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. Note that laboratory classes in this unit include the use of animals and animal products.
Prerequisite Rule
Students must have passed 3 units in SCI1125 Professional Science Essentials, SCI1183 Origins and Evolution of Life, SCI1187 Form and Function in Biology.
Equivalent Rule
Unit is equivalent to SCB2322 Genetics and Evolution.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Explain mechanisms of inheritance in terms of the behaviours and interactions of DNA, alleles, genes and chromosomes.
- Relate observed phenotypic traits to genotype and modifiers of genotype expression.
- Conduct and analyse simple genetic experiments using appropriate methods.
- Describe and apply the central concepts of population genetics, including calculation of fundamental population parameters.
- Critically analyse how genetic processes relate to natural selection, evolutionary fitness and speciation.
- Discuss the application of genetic concepts and tools in conservation.
Unit Content
- Mendelian inheritance: independent assortment and segregation ratios; allelic dominance and co-dominance; modification of Mendelian ratios; multiple-allele systems.
- Sex determination and sex-linked inheritance, linkage, crossing over and chromosome mapping.
- Chromosomal variations: karyotype; polyploidy; deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations.
- Linkage and chromosome mapping.
- Quantitative traits.
- Population genetics: allele and genotype frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; measures of diversity; calculation of allele, genotype and phenotype frequencies; gene flow, genetic drift; breeding systems.
- Evolutionary genetics: evolutionary fitness; population differentiation, speciation and species concepts, isolating mechanisms, allopatric and sympatric speciation; causes of extinction.
- Conservation genetics: genetics of small and fragmented populations; captive breeding; genetic rescue.
- Genetic experiments and their analysis: conduct and ethics; care and handling of test organisms; statistical analysis for genetics - chi square, t-test and ANOVA.
Additional Learning Experience Information
Lectures, 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 and/or online activities including discussion boards 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 |
|---|
| Literature Review | Current issue in genetics. | 20% |
| Laboratory Work ^ | Laboratory and workshop exercises | 30% |
| Examination | End of semester examination | 50% |
| | 35% |
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| | 25% |
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| | 40% |
^ Mandatory to Pass
Text References
- ^ Klug, W.S., Cummings, M.R., Spencer, C.A., & Palladino, M.A. (2014). Essentials of genetics: international edition (8 ed.). Harlow, UK: Pearson Education Ltd
- Thomas, A. (2013). Thrive in genetics. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Schumacker, R., & Tomek, S.(2013). Understanding statistics using R. Dordrecht, Germany: Springer.
- Burton, R.S. (2009). Molecular markers, natural history and conservation of marine animals. BioScience, 59, 831-840.
- Acquaah, G. (2009). Principles of plant genetics and breeding. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Allendorf, F.W. & Luikart, G. (2013). Conservation & the genetics of populations. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Watson, J.D., & Crick, F.H.C. (1953). The genetical implications of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid. Nature, 171:737.
- Van der Giezen, M. (2011). Mitochondria and the rise of eukaryotes. BioScience, 61, 594-601.
- Broquet, T., Angelone, S., Jaquiery, J., Joly, P., Lena, J-P., Perrin, N. (2010). Genetic bottlenecks driven by population disconnection. Conservation Biology, 24, 1596-1605.
- Hoglund, J. (2009). Evolutionary conservation genetics. Oxford, UK : Oxford University Press.
- Hamilton, M. (2009). Population genetics. Chichester, UK : John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Hamede, R., Laccish, S., Belov, K., Woods, G., Kreiss, A., Pearse, A-M., McCallum, H. (2012). Reduced effect of Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease at the disease front. Conservation Biology, 26, 124-134.
- Epperson, B.K. (2010). Geographical genetics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Darwin, C. (2008). On the origin of species. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Costa, J.T. (2009). The Darwinian revelation: tracing the origin and evolution of an idea. BioScience, 59, 886-894.
Journal References
- ^ Armbrust, E.V,. & Palumbi, S.R. (2015) Uncovering hidden worlds of ocean biodiversity. Science 348:865-867 Note: Required reading for assignment
- ^ Deakin, J.E., Graves, J.A.M. & Rens, W. (2012). The evolution of marsupial and monotreme chromosomes. Cytogenetic and Genome Research 137:113-129. Note: Required reading for assignment
- ^ Dixon, G.B., Davies, S.W., Aglayamova, G.A., Meyer, E., Bay, L.K & Matz, M.V. (2015) Genomic determinants of coral heat tolerance across latitudes. Science 348:1460-1462
Note: Required reading for assignment. - ^ Siddle, H.V. & Kaufman, J. (2013). A tale of two tumours: Comparison of the escape strategies of contagious cancers. Molecular Immunology 55: 190-193 Note: Required reading for assignment.
- ^ Skogland, P., Erksmark, E., Palkopolou, E., Dalén, L. (2015). Ancient wolf genome reveals early divergence of dog ancestors and admixture into high-latitude breeds. Current Biology 25: 1515-1519 Note: required reading for assignment.
- ^ Stillman, J.H. & Armstrong, E (2015). Genomics are transforming our understanding of responses to climate change. BioScience 65:237-246
Note: Required reading for assignment. - ^ White, K.L, Eason, D.K., Jamieson, I.G. & Robertson, B.C. (2014). Evidence of inbreeding depression in the critically endangered parrot, the kakapo. Animal Conservation (Early View Online November 2014) DOI: 10.1111/acv.12177 Note: Required reading for assignment
- ^ Whiteley AR, Fitzpatrick SW, Funck WC, Tallmon DA. (2015). Genetic rescue to the rescue. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 30:42-49.
Note: Required reading for assignment - ^ Van der Giezen, M. (2011). Mitochondria and the rise of eukaryotes. BioScience, 61, 594-601. Note: Required reading for assignment.
- BioScience Note: Note that a Khan Academy app is available free of charge on several mobile platforms. Students should access this via the relevant app store.
- Conservation Biology
Website References
References
- Pierce, B. A. (2014). Genetics: a conceptual approach. 5th ed. Chicago IL: W. H. Freeman & Co. Note: Prescribed text.
References
- Watson, J.D., & Crick, F.H.C. (1953). The genetical implications of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid. Nature 171:737. Note: Seminal Reference.
^ 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.
SCI2117|2|1
School: Science
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
GeneticsUnit Code
SCI2117Year
2016Enrolment Period
2Version
2Credit Points
15Full Year Unit
N
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Description
This unit introduces students to the fields of transmission, molecular and population genetics. Inheritance is studied at the molecular, cellular and organismal 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. Note that laboratory classes in this unit include the use of animals and animal products.
Prerequisite Rule
Students must have passed 3 units in SCI1125 Professional Science Essentials, SCI1183 Origins and Evolution of Life, SCI1187 Form and Function in Biology.
Equivalent Rule
Unit is equivalent to SCB2322 Genetics and Evolution.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- Explain mechanisms of inheritance in terms of the behaviours and interactions of DNA, alleles, genes and chromosomes.
- Relate observed phenotypic traits to genotype and modifiers of genotype expression.
- Conduct and analyse simple genetic experiments using appropriate methods.
- Describe and apply the central concepts of population genetics, including calculation of fundamental population parameters.
- Critically analyse how genetic processes relate to natural selection, evolutionary fitness and speciation.
- Discuss the application of genetic concepts and tools in conservation.
Unit Content
- Mendelian inheritance: independent assortment and segregation ratios; allelic dominance and co-dominance; modification of Mendelian ratios; multiple-allele systems.
- Sex determination and sex-linked inheritance, linkage, crossing over and chromosome mapping.
- Chromosomal variations: karyotype; polyploidy; deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations.
- Linkage and chromosome mapping.
- Quantitative traits.
- Population genetics: allele and genotype frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; measures of diversity; calculation of allele, genotype and phenotype frequencies; gene flow, genetic drift; breeding systems.
- Evolutionary genetics: evolutionary fitness; population differentiation, speciation and species concepts, isolating mechanisms, allopatric and sympatric speciation; causes of extinction.
- Conservation genetics: genetics of small and fragmented populations; captive breeding; genetic rescue.
- Genetic experiments and their analysis: conduct and ethics; care and handling of test organisms; statistical analysis for genetics - chi square, t-test and ANOVA.
Additional Learning Experience Information
Lectures, 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 and/or online activities including discussion boards 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 |
|---|
| Literature Review | Current issue in genetics. | 20% |
| Laboratory Work ^ | Laboratory and workshop exercises | 30% |
| Examination | End of semester examination | 50% |
| | 35% |
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| | 25% |
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|
| | 40% |
^ Mandatory to Pass
Text References
- ^ Klug, W.S., Cummings, M.R., Spencer, C.A., & Palladino, M.A. (2014). Essentials of genetics: international edition (8 ed.). Harlow, UK: Pearson Education Ltd
- Thomas, A. (2013). Thrive in genetics. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
- Schumacker, R., & Tomek, S.(2013). Understanding statistics using R. Dordrecht, Germany: Springer.
- Hamilton, M. (2009). Population genetics. Chichester, UK : John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Acquaah, G. (2009). Principles of plant genetics and breeding. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Allendorf, F.W. & Luikart, G. (2013). Conservation & the genetics of populations. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Broquet, T., Angelone, S., Jaquiery, J., Joly, P., Lena, J-P., Perrin, N. (2010). Genetic bottlenecks driven by population disconnection. Conservation Biology, 24, 1596-1605.
- Burton, R.S. (2009). Molecular markers, natural history and conservation of marine animals. BioScience, 59, 831-840.
- Costa, J.T. (2009). The Darwinian revelation: tracing the origin and evolution of an idea. BioScience, 59, 886-894.
- Watson, J.D., & Crick, F.H.C. (1953). The genetical implications of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid. Nature, 171:737.
- Van der Giezen, M. (2011). Mitochondria and the rise of eukaryotes. BioScience, 61, 594-601.
- Hoglund, J. (2009). Evolutionary conservation genetics. Oxford, UK : Oxford University Press.
- Hamede, R., Laccish, S., Belov, K., Woods, G., Kreiss, A., Pearse, A-M., McCallum, H. (2012). Reduced effect of Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease at the disease front. Conservation Biology, 26, 124-134.
- Epperson, B.K. (2010). Geographical genetics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Darwin, C. (2008). On the origin of species. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
Journal References
- ^ Armbrust, E.V,. & Palumbi, S.R. (2015) Uncovering hidden worlds of ocean biodiversity. Science 348:865-867 Note: Required reading for assignment
- ^ Deakin, J.E., Graves, J.A.M. & Rens, W. (2012). The evolution of marsupial and monotreme chromosomes. Cytogenetic and Genome Research 137:113-129. Note: Required reading for assignment
- ^ Dixon, G.B., Davies, S.W., Aglayamova, G.A., Meyer, E., Bay, L.K & Matz, M.V. (2015) Genomic determinants of coral heat tolerance across latitudes. Science 348:1460-1462
Note: Required reading for assignment. - ^ Siddle, H.V. & Kaufman, J. (2013). A tale of two tumours: Comparison of the escape strategies of contagious cancers. Molecular Immunology 55: 190-193 Note: Required reading for assignment.
- ^ Skogland, P., Erksmark, E., Palkopolou, E., Dalén, L. (2015). Ancient wolf genome reveals early divergence of dog ancestors and admixture into high-latitude breeds. Current Biology 25: 1515-1519 Note: required reading for assignment.
- ^ Stillman, J.H. & Armstrong, E (2015). Genomics are transforming our understanding of responses to climate change. BioScience 65:237-246
Note: Required reading for assignment. - ^ White, K.L, Eason, D.K., Jamieson, I.G. & Robertson, B.C. (2014). Evidence of inbreeding depression in the critically endangered parrot, the kakapo. Animal Conservation (Early View Online November 2014) DOI: 10.1111/acv.12177 Note: Required reading for assignment
- ^ Whiteley AR, Fitzpatrick SW, Funck WC, Tallmon DA. (2015). Genetic rescue to the rescue. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 30:42-49.
Note: Required reading for assignment - ^ Van der Giezen, M. (2011). Mitochondria and the rise of eukaryotes. BioScience, 61, 594-601. Note: Required reading for assignment.
- BioScience Note: Note that a Khan Academy app is available free of charge on several mobile platforms. Students should access this via the relevant app store.
- Conservation Biology
Website References
References
- Pierce, B. A. (2014). Genetics: a conceptual approach. 5th ed. Chicago IL: W. H. Freeman & Co. Note: Prescribed text.
References
- Watson, J.D., & Crick, F.H.C. (1953). The genetical implications of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid. Nature 171:737. Note: Seminal Reference.
^ 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.
SCI2117|2|2
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