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

    Genetics
  • Unit Code

    SCI2117
  • Year

    2025
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    4
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Anna HOPKINS

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 may include the use of animals and animal products.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must have passed SCI1183 (Origins and Evolution of Life).

Equivalent Rule

Unit is equivalent to SCB2322.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply the central concepts of genetics to address a range of biological, evolutionary and conservation questions.
  2. Analyse and intepret results of genetic experiments.
  3. Think creatively on a current topic in genetics to select suitable examples underpinning important processes.
  4. Work with peers to produce scientific texts on current topics in the field.
  5. Use software to analyse genetic data and explore current knowledge in genetics.

Unit Content

  1. Mendelian inheritance: independent assortment and segregation ratios; allelic dominance and co-dominance; modification of Mendelian ratios; multiple-allele systems.
  2. Sex determination and sex-linked inheritance, linkage, crossing over and chromosome mapping.
  3. Chromosomal variations: karyotype; polyploidy; deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations.
  4. Linkage and chromosome mapping.
  5. Quantitative traits.
  6. 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.
  7. Evolutionary genetics: evolutionary fitness; population differentiation, speciation and species concepts, isolating mechanisms, allopatric and sympatric speciation; causes of extinction.
  8. Conservation genetics: genetics of small and fragmented populations; captive breeding; genetic rescue.
  9. Genetic experiments and their analysis: conduct and ethics; care and handling of test organisms; statistical analysis for genetics - chi square, t-test and ANOVA.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 113 x 3 hour labNot Offered13 x 3 hour lab
Semester 113 x 2 hour lectureNot Offered13 x 2 hour lecture
Semester 1Not OfferedNot Offered5 x 3 hour tutorial

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Reflective practice, peer review

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 School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
PresentationOral presentation on current issue in genetics.25%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory and workshop exercises35%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination40%

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.

Assessment

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

Academic Integrity

Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.

Breaches of academic integrity can include:

Plagiarism

Copying the words, ideas or creative works of other people or generative artificial intelligence tools, without referencing in accordance with stated University requirements. Students need to seek approval from the Unit Coordinator within the first week of study if they intend to use some of their previous work in an assessment task (self-plagiarism).

Unauthorised collaboration (collusion)

Working with other students and submitting the same or substantially similar work or portions of work when an individual submission was required. This includes students knowingly providing others with copies of their own work to use in the same or similar assessment task(s).

Contract cheating

Organising a friend, a family member, another student or an external person or organisation (e.g. through an online website) to complete or substantially edit or refine part or all of an assessment task(s) on their behalf.

Cheating in an exam

Using or having access to unauthorised materials in an exam or test.

Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.

ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.

All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.

Assessment Extension

In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.

Special Consideration

Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment, Examination and Moderation Procedures - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.

SCI2117|4|1