6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4012318FNR for all students in the 1st semester of odd academic years (e.g. 2013-2014) at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
biennial: 1st semester of an odd academic year (e.g. 2013-2014)
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Science and Bio-engineering Sciences
Department
Biology
Educational team
Franky Bossuyt (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
13 contact hours Lecture
26 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
52 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

Phylogenetic analyses are gaining importance in biological research, especially as large DNA data sets and genomic information become available. This course deals with methods for reconstructing the evolution of organisms and genes using molecular data. A first part explains models and algorithms for reconstructing phylogenetic trees, and the methods that are used to reconstruct ancestral characters by mapping extant characters (molecular, ecological, ethological, ...) on a phylogenetic tree. In a second part, the students will get the opportunity to tackle a scientific problem and test hypotheses using computer-analyses.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Prints of Powerpoint Presentations.
Digital course material (Required) : Scientific papers
Additional info

Contact hours for questions, discussions or help with technical problems can be organised after appointment with the lecturer.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

After following this course, the student is expected to

- have a solid knowledge on evolutionary thinking in a phylogenetic context.

- be able to perform evolutionary research, going from a literature study to design and analysis of a self-constructed data set of DNA sequences.

- master several state-of-the-art techniques and softwares in phylogeny

- present their work in a scientific way

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
LEC Presentation determines 50% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral exam, with brief written preparation

Within the LEC Presentation category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral presentation with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral presentation of a scientific paper

Additional info regarding evaluation

Assessment will be based on two parts:

- Oral exam, with brief written preparation (75%).
- Oral presentation of the phylogenetic excercise (25%).

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

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 Biology: Molecular and Cellular Life sciences
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Biomedical Research: Standaard traject
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)