3 ECTS credits
75 u studietijd
Aanbieding 1 met studiegidsnummer 4009214ENR voor alle studenten in het 2e semester met een verdiepend master niveau.
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.
De beoordeling bestaat uit volgende opdrachtcategorieën:
Examen Mondeling bepaalt 100% van het eindcijfer
Binnen de categorie Examen Mondeling dient men volgende opdrachten af te werken:
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)
Deze aanbieding maakt deel uit van de volgende studieplannen:
Master in de biologie: ecologie en biodiversiteit
Master in de biologie: onderwijs
Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management: Standaard traject (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Brussels (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Paris (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Master of Biology: AR Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree in Tropical Biodiversity and Ecosystems, start at Cayenne (enkel aangeboden in het Engels)
Educatieve master in de wetenschappen en technologie: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek)