2021/22 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

BLGY5104M Conservation Genetics

15 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Simon Goodman
Email: s.j.goodman@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

Students should gain an understanding of:
i) The basic genetic and evolutionary themes underlying conservation genetics as a discipline.
ii) Laboratory and data analysis methods commonly used in conservation genetic studies.
iii) How genetic techniques can be applied to a range of conservation problems, and in relevant areas of conservation decision making.

Learning outcomes
On completion of the module students should be
- familiar with the key concepts and techniques of conservation genetics and
- should be able to respond in an informed way should they come across such issues in professional life.
- The course also serves as a foundation for those wanting to specialise further in conservation genetics at a later point.

Syllabus

- What are the key questions and applications that can be addressed in conservation genetics?
- Population genetic and evolutionary theory of conservation genetics
- Genetic markers and techniques for genotyping and assaying genetic variation
- Identifying units for conservation
- Genetic population structure
- Hybridisation
- Phylogenetics
- Genetic variation within populations
- Inbreeding and its consequences
- Management of small and captive populations

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	6	1.00	6.00
Practical	2	8.00	16.00
Private study hours			128.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

There are a number of ways in which you will receive feedback on your work. These can be through written comments on your assignments and associated pro-formas, but also orally during scheduled teaching sessions. The latter could be, for example, through discussions with tutors during tutorials, workshops and pre- and post-course work surgeries. It can also be through discussions with your tutors and demonstrators during any practical classes. To benefit fully from the feedback you receive, you should read through the written comments on your assignments/pro-formas and think of actions that you need to take to improve the quality of your work.

Similarly, with any oral feedback, you should listen carefully to the advice given, ask questions if necessary and consider ways in which you can use the feedback to improve your work. By engaging fully with the feedback (written and oral) in this way, you are more likely to improve the quality of your work and hence your overall academic performance.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Computer Exercise	Data analysis and interpretation of a population genetics dataset using population genetics software. Write up presented as results/discussion section of paper,	50.00
Presentation	Presentation to class of a critical assessment of a conservation genetics related paper (student selects topic from list provided). 12 minute presentation plus 3 minutes for questions	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:19:37

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD