Molecular Ecology

6 ECTS credits
155 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1010793CNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (C) Bachelor - specialised level.

Semester

1st semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Enrollment Requirements

Students who want to enroll for this course, must have passed for 'General Biology' and 'General Zoology' and must be enrolled or have passed for 'Biodiversity and Ecology of Invertebrates' , and 'Genetics'.

Taught in

Dutch

Faculty

Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences

Department

Biology

Educational team

Marc Kochzius (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

26 contact hours Lecture
26 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
26 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

This course starts with the concept of biodiversity measurement (species concept, diversity indices), paradigms of conservation genetics and an overview of molecular screening methods for practical use in ecology (allozymes, RAPD, ISSR, AFLP, SSR, cpSSR). A fundamental part is about the estimation of genetic variation in natural populations (single locus, extension of HDY-WBG equilibrium for ploidy, selfing, linkage) and on the quantitative variation in populations (GxE interactions, heretability, reproductive fitness). After introducing the evolution in large populations (selection, mutation, migration) and in small populations (inbreeding, drift, fixation) more attention will be given to the loss of genetic diversity, on the calculation of genetic differentiation and genetic distances and on the fragmentation of populations (F-statistics, metapopulaties, Wahlund effect, MVP). Case-studies on gene flow estimation, shallow phylogenies, phylogeography, hybridisation and introgression will give a broader view on the concept of conservation gentics. The practical course is based on this content.

Course material

Handbook (Recommended) : Genetics of Populations, Hedrick Philip W., 4de, Jones & Bartlett, 9780763757373, 2011
Handbook (Recommended) : Evolutionary Analysis, Freeman Scott & Herron Jon, 5de, Prentice Hall, 9781292061276, 2016
Handbook (Recommended) : BIOS Instant Notes in Genetics, Winter PC, Hickey G & Fletcher HL., 4de, Garland Science, 9780415693141, 2012
Handbook (Recommended) : An introduction to Molecualr Ecology, Beebee Trevor & Rowe Graham, 3de, Oxford, 9780198716990, 2017
Handbook (Recommended) : Introduction to conservation genetics, Frankham Richard, Ballou Jonathan & Briscoe David, 2de, Cambridge, 9780521702713, 2010
Handbook (Recommended) : Ecological Genetics, Design, Analysis and Applications, Lowe Andrew, Harris Stephen & Ashton Paul, Blackwell, 9781405100335, 2004
Handbook (Recommended) : Conservation Biology, Foundations, Concepts, Applications, Van Dyke Fred, 3de, Springer, 9783030395322, 2020

Additional info

HEAVIER LEVEL
Hedrick Philip W. (1999) Genetics of Populations. Jones & Bartlett ISBN 0-7637-1076-8

LOWER LEVEL OR IF YOU HAVE LIMITED BACKGROUND IN GENETICS
Beebee Trevor & Rowe Graham (2004) An introduction to Molecualr Ecology. Oxford ISBN 0-19-924857-5

Winter PC, Hickey G & Fletcher HL. (1998) Instant notes in genetics. Bios Scientific publ. ISBN 1-85996-1665

Freeman Scott & Herron Jon (2001) Evolutionary Analysis. Prentice Hall ISBN 0-13-017291-x
Own notes and copies of powerpoint slides. The relevant chapters from books are provided as copies.

Complementary study material:
Van Dyke Fred (2003) Conservation Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Applications. McGraw-Hill ISBN 0-07-119906-3

Lowe Andrew, Harris Stephen & Ashton Paul (2004) Ecological Genetics: Design, Analysis and Applications. Blackwell ISBN 1-4051-0033-8

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

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

Genetic variability is at the basis of biodiversity. Molecular ecology uses the knowledge of genetics in organisms to get a better insight in the population ecology of species. The objective of this course is to increase the knowledge on genetic aspects in conservation of biodiversity.

In this course part one learns to work in a team, to search for data sources for complementing the learning material, to analyze and synthesize the learning material, to analyze a biological phrasing, to understand and judge the research results offered within this course part and to transfer the acquired knowledge, and in particular of the practical acquirements.

Grading

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:

Mondeling examen with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Note: Mondeling examen na schriftelijke voorbereiding (incl. een discussie over de inhoud van een vooraf gelezen artikel uit een intern. tijdschrift vb. Molecular Ecology, Conservation genetics)

Additional info regarding evaluation

Oral exam after written preparation (100%, including an obligatory participation of practical sessions and report - that accounts for 40% - to submit before the exam session)

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context