BI2017: GENES AND EVOLUTION (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04

Course Overview

look at how instructions in genes are transformed by natural selection to produce the diversity of life on Earth;
learn how species evolve, how we determine evolutionary relationships;
why populations change, understand why humans (and other organisms) must carry genetic diseases;
meet enthusiastic staff; each teach about areas we are expert on;
take 3 Genes & Evolution Practicals to gain hands on experience of approaches used by researchers to map genes,
estimate rates of evolution, and determine evolutionary relationships;
keep up to speed with in-course tests, understand basic statistics, see why mutations are not the only evolutionary currency

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	2
Session	First Sub Session	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Arimantas Lionikas Cath Dennis

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Any Undergraduate Programme
One of BI1507 The Cell (Passed) or SF1503 The Cell (Foundation) (Passed) or SM1501 The Cell (Passed) or BSc Conservation Biology (Studied)
Either Programme Level 2 or Programme Level 3

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

The course explores the fundamental biological processes of genetics and evolution. Evolution is unified by the concept of continual change at the phenotypic level, underpinned by genetic changes of different kinds at the molecular level. The content of the course draws on material at all levels of complexity from the molecular, to the whole organism, to the population. There is a balance between molecular and organismal biology, and broader issues such as human population history.

Major topics:

The key genetic and evolutionary concepts
Evolution at the gene level
Evolution at the genome level
Evolution at the organism level
Evolution at the population level and the origin of species
Macroevolution (evolution of major organism groups)

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2023 for 1st half-session courses and 22 December 2023 for 2nd half-session courses.

Summative Assessments

3 Pratical Preparation Multiple Choice Questions = 4% each

2 Online Tests = 4% each

3x Practical Problem Solving = 10% each

2 Assesments of 30 - 40 Multiple Choice Questions = 25% each

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Factual	Understand	Temp until school submit ilo