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ZO3011: ANIMAL EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY (2023-2024)

Last modified: 05 Oct 2023 08:46


Course Overview

This course emphasises how evolution has shaped the spatial and temporal patterns of animal biodiversity, and how we can use molecular genetic tools to gain a better understanding of what biodiversity means and how we can measure it.

In lectures you are guided through the theory of evolution and how this influences patterns of genetic diversity and affects biodiversity.

In practical sessions, you gain insight into the microevolutionary processes that can shape genetic variation in natural populations and some tools used to study the evolution of biodiversity.

Through a poster presentation you gain specialised knowledge and experience communicating complex ideas and synthesizing information about the latest developments in evolutionary biology.

Through written assignments you will consider how evolutionary processes shape biodiversity in Scotland and how we can maintain this biodiversity through effective stewardship, conservation and management.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor S.B. Piertney

Qualification Prerequisites

  • Either Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4

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

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?

No

Course Description

The course looks at how evolutionary processes shape the spatial and temporal patterns of animal biodiversity, and some of the molecular tools that are available to provide new insight into characterising and managing biodiversity.

Key components of the course include – the central dogma of molecular biology, microevolution, molecular markers, conservation genetics, speciation, phylogenetics, co-evolution, genomics and transcriptomics, epigenetics and the development of evolutionary theory and thinking.

Through the course you will develop a breadth of knowledge and understanding around evolution and biodiversity as well as a set of transferable and generic skills including capacity for independent, conceptual and creative thinking and an ability to communicate effectively for different purposes and in different contexts.


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 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

Two computer practicals

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 40
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Two computer practicals worth 20% each

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Practical - timed report

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Poster presentation

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Re-submission of failed elements

Assessment Type Summative Weighting
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Students will repeat whichever elements of the assessment were failed or not completed at first sitting; the marks for elements already passed will be carried forwards.

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualRememberILO’s for this course are available in the course guide.

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