3 ECTS credits
75 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4009214ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
This course gives a brief theoretical and practical introduction to molecular methods used in ecology at population level, and in depth evolutionary genetics of natural populations and genetic structuring of populations. More detailed topics are on the evolution in small populations, population fragmentation, loss of genetic diversity in small populations, resolving taxonomic uncertainties, defining management units, case-studies on genetics and the management of wild populations. Selected topics are in the field of:
- Genetic drift and inbreeding
- Population fragmentation, gene flow and mating systems
- Intraspecific phylogeography
- Hybridisation and introgression
Practical exercises comprise a lab work or demonstration on DNA extraction of plant materials, and data analysis of multiplexed microsatellite DNA using various free software such as GENALEX, FSTAT and STRUCTURE
Complementary study material:
The course content is partially based on textbooks (available in the library of the research group), largely on papers and own expertise of aquatic organisms such as seagrasses, mangroves and wetland plants.:
Frankham Richard, Ballou Jonathan & Briscoe David (2010) Introduction to conservation genetics. Cambridge ISBN 978-0-521-70271-3
Allendorf Fred and Luikart Gordon (2012) Conservation and genetics of populations. Wiley ISBN : 978-1-118-40857-5
Scientific papers on conservation genetics and molecular ecology are available through the VUB e-library.
The overall objective of the course is to introduce the students in the genetics of biodiversity (as compared to species and ecosystem diversity). Therefore, basic knowledge about DNA, genes and genomes are essential. This course will place emphasis on ecological genetics and on conservation genetics (impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation).
The objective of the course is to understand the genetics of populations, and the interaction of genetics with the reproductive biology of species, their effective population sizes, generation times, and with habitat fragmentation. Students should be able to apply these general principles to case studies on various groups of organisms.
Emphasis will be on marine and freshwater populations.
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Oral exam with written preparation (100%, including an obligatory participation of practical sessions and report - that accounts for 40% - to submit before the exam session)
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Education (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management: Standaard traject
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Brussels
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Paris
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Cayenne
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)