Molecular Ecology and Evolution
Rhedir gan School of Natural Sciences
20.000 Credydau neu 10.000 Credyd ECTS
Trefnydd: Dr Alexander Papadopulos
This module provides a course on the basic principles, methodology and applications of molecular tools to ecology and evolution (molecular ecology). Its principal aims are to address the following questions:
- What is molecular ecology and why is it worth studying?
- What are the primary molecular tools that we can use in molecular ecology?
- What are the central evolutionary/genetic concepts that underpin molecular ecology?
- How can we use molecular ecology to examine population structure, behavioural ecology, community structure, and conservation genetics?
- How can the above information be used to design a project in molecular ecology at the individual, population, species or community level?
In the past few decades, molecular genetics has become one of the fastest growing fields in the life sciences. The application of molecular methods has spread to virtually all fields of modern biology, including ecology, conservation, breeding and natural resource management, leading to the establishment of Molecular Ecology. With the expansion of the application of molecular tools, it has become crucial that all biologists have a basic understanding of genetics and molecular biology. This includes the application of molecular tools to the detection of kin and population structure, the ability of populations to adapt to environmental change, conservation genetics and the assessment of the biodiversity of whole communities. The course takes advantage of the considerable research activity and expertise in molecular ecology and evolution within the School of Biological Sciences at Bangor. The focus will be on how recent advances in primarily DNA-based tools can be used at the population, species and community levels to explore the dynamics of biodiversity in a changing world, including a consideration of the range of molecular tools available, the analysis of population structure and adaptation in the wild, genomic approaches to the analysis of species and community diversity, aspects of behavioural ecology, conservation genetics and the management of exploited species. Although the course requires grounding in basic principles of genetics and evolutionary biology, the course aims to explain how molecular tools can assist in our understanding of whole-organism biology (e.g. behaviour, life history, dispersal), and the strategies that are available for conservation and management of taxa in the wild.
Basic understanding of scientific methodology. Basic ability in the design of molecular ecology studies, data collection, analysis and interpretation. Basic understanding of evolutionary concepts and principles relating to molecular ecology, and of the genetic and demographic consequences of environmental change. Be able to plan, execute and present an independent piece of work (Research Project Proposal), in which qualities such as time management, team-working skills, problem solving and independence are evident, as well as interpretation and critical awareness of the quality of evidence
Strong understanding of scientific methodology. Good ability in the design of genetic studies, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and some understanding of how developments in new technologies open up novel areas of research. Solid understanding of evolutionary concepts and principles relating to molecular ecology, and of the genetic and demographic consequences of environmental change.
Comprehensive understanding of scientific methodology. Enhanced ability in the design of genetic studies, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and the ability to propose how developments in new technologies open up novel areas of research. Enhanced understanding of evolutionary concepts and principles relating to molecular ecology, and of the genetic and demographic consequences of environmental change.
Develop cogent and critical arguments based on the course material.
Working as a team, apply genetic and demographic concepts to address problems in molecular ecology.
Undertake direct analysis of molecular genetic data within the context of principles in molecular ecology
Demonstrate understanding of how different molecular genetic tools can be applied to tackle ecological and evolutionary questions at different biological levels (e.g. individual, population, species and community levels)
Demonstrate understanding of the range of ecological and evolutionary questions that can be tackled using molecular genetic markers, from parentage analysis, analysis of population and community structure, through to behavioural ecology and conservation genetics
Apply genetic and demographic concepts using team skills to hypothesis testing in the molecular ecology of organisms.
|ADDRODDIAD||Research Project Proposal||50.00|
Strategaeth addysgu a dysgu
Interactive teaching sessions that will promote discussion and develop critical skills in relation to key principles. The module has been a 20 credit module since 2011-2012. The additional lecture slots have been utilised in a way to benefit students through active engagement in the learning process. For example, lecture slots are now available for supporting the course work programme, group presentations of the course work, and guidance in methods of data analysis during the RPP coursework. To benefit maximally from the logical sequence of lectures and the integration of background for the coursework, it is thus important to attend all lecture slots where possible. To facilitate focus and effort on course material, lectures will be delivered at an average of 4-6 per week, though the actual number does vary across weeks due to timetabling constraints. The scheduling of lectures is designed to maximise the opportunity to support development of the Research project Proposals (RPPs). There may be additional opportunities for students to attend seminars within the School seminar series and occasional seminars organised within the Molecular Ecology and Fisheries Genetics Laboratory (MEFGL) at Bangor.
1 revision/exam workshop on revision techniques and working through exam model questions.
Coursework workshop slots : 3-4 timetabled slots: Staff to be available for discussion/guidance throughout. Ongoing discussion with members of staff at group level on progress of RPPs.
Teaching strategy will be to introduce and develop key evolutionary and ecological principles that can be explored using advanced molecular markers at the individual, population, community levels. Students will receive guidance in key pertinent literature and particular emphasis will be placed on the design of studies in molecular ecology in relation to the key characteristics of molecular markers.
- Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
- Rhifedd - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio rhifau ar lefelau priodol o gywirdeb
- Defnyddio cyfrifiaduron - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio ystod o feddalwedd cyfrifiadurol
- Hunanreolaeth - Gallu gweithio mewn ffordd effeithlon, prydlon a threfnus. Gallu edrych ar ganlyniadau tasgau a digwyddiadau, a barnu lefelau o ansawdd a phwysigrwydd
- Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
- Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth
- Sgiliau Rhyngbersonol - Gallu gofyn cwestiynau, gwrando'n astud ar atebion a'u harchwilio
- Dadansoddi Beirniadol & Datrys Problem - Gallu dadelfennu a dadansoddi problemau neu sefyllfaoedd cymhleth. Gallu canfod atebion i broblemau drwy ddadansoddiadau ac archwilio posibiliadau
- Ymwybyddiaeth o ddiogelwch - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch amgylchedd a hyder o ran cadw at reoliadau iechyd a diogelwch
- Cyflwyniad - Gallu cyflwyno gwybodaeth ac esboniadau yn glir i gynulleidfa. Trwy gyfryngau ysgrifenedig neu ar lafar yn glir a hyderus.
- Gwaith Tîm - Gallu cydweithio'n adeiladol ag eraill ar dasg gyffredin, ac/neu fod yn rhan o dîm gweithio o ddydd i ddydd
- Mentora - Gallu cefnogi, helpu, arwain, ysbrydoli ac/neu hyfforddi eraill
- Gofalu - Dangos consyrn am eraill; gofalu am blant, pobl ag anableddau ac/neu'r henoed
- Rheloaeth - Gallu defnyddio, cydlynu a rheoli adnoddau (dynol, ffisegol ac/neu ariannol)
- Dadl - Gallu cyflwyno, trafod a chyfiawnhau barn neu lwybr gweithredu, naill ai gydag unigolyn neu mewn grwˆp ehangach
- Hunanymwybyddiaeth & Ystyried - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch cryfderau, gwendidau, nodau ac amcanion eich hun. Gallu adolygu ,cloriannu a myfyrio'n rheolaidd ar eich perfformiad eich hun ac eraill.
- Arweinyddiaeth - Gallu arwain a rheoli, datblygu cynlluniau gweithredu ac amcanion, cynnig arweiniad a chyfarwyddyd i eraill, ac ymdopi â'r pwysau sy'n gysylltiedig ag awdurdod o'r fath
Sgiliau pwnc penodol
- Engagement with current developments in the biosciences and their application.
- Appreciation of the complexity and diversity of life processes through the study of organisms.
- Engage in debate and/or discussion with specialists and non-specialists using appropriate language.
Goblygiadau o ran adnoddau ar gyfer myfyrwyr
Some electronic versions of key papers are available on the Blackboard site, and copies of key texts are stored in the library for restricted loan.
A reading list will be provided throughout the course.
Rhagofynion a Chydofynion
Cyrsiau sy’n cynnwys y modiwl hwn
Opsiynol mewn cyrsiau:
- C100: BSC Biology year 3 (BSC/B)
- C10F: BSc Biology year 3 (BSC/BF)
- C511: BSc Biology with Biotechnology year 3 (BSC/BIOT)
- C512: BSc Biology with Biotechnology with International Experience year 4 (BSC/BIOTIE)
- C102: BSc Biology (with International Experience) year 4 (BSC/BITE)
- CC13: BSC Marine Biology/Zoology year 3 (BSC/BMZ)
- 8B76: BSc Marine Biology and Zoology (with International Exp) year 4 (BSC/BMZIE)
- CC1P: BSc Marine Biology with Zoology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/BMZP)
- C300: BSC Zoology year 3 (BSC/Z)
- C305: BSc Zoology with Animal Behaviour (with International Exp) year 4 (BSC/ZABIE)
- C3L2: BSC Zoology with Conservation year 3 (BSC/ZC)
- C319: BSc Zoology with Climate Change Studies year 3 (BSC/ZCC)
- C327: BSc Zoology with Climate Change Studies w International Exp year 3 (BSC/ZCCIE)
- C3L3: BSc Zoology with Conservation with International Experience year 4 (BSC/ZCIE)
- C3L4: BSc Zoology with Conservation with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/ZCP)
- C30F: BSc Zoology year 3 (BSC/ZF)
- C304: BSC Zoology with Herpetology year 3 (BSC/ZH)
- C307: BSc Zoology with Herpetology (with International Experience) year 3 (BSC/ZHIE)
- C324: BSc Zoology with International Experience year 4 (BSC/ZIE)
- C3C1: BSc Zoology with Marine Zoology (with International Exp) year 4 (BSC/ZMB)
- C350: BSC Zoology with Marine Zoology year 3 (BSC/ZMZ)
- C36P: BSc Zoology with Marine Zoology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/ZMZP)
- C329: BSc Zoology with Primatology year 3 (BSC/ZP)
- C32P: Zoology with Primatology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/ZPP)
- C330: BSc Zoology with Ornithology year 3 (BSC/ZR)
- C3P0: BSc Zoology with Ornithology with Placement Year year 4 (BSC/ZRP)
- C3D3: BSC Zoology with Animal Behaviour year 3 (BSC/ZWAB)
- C3DP: BSc Zoology with Animal Behaviour with Placement Year year 3 (BSC/ZWABP)
- C101: MBiol Master of Biology year 3 (MBIOL/BIO)
- C510: MBiol Biology with Biotechnology year 3 (MBIOL/BIOT)
- C169: MSci Marine Biology and Zoology year 3 (MSCI/MBZ)
- C302: MZool Zoology with Animal Behaviour year 3 (MZOOL/AB)
- C30P: MZool Zoology with Animal Behaviour with Placement Year year 3 (MZOOL/ABP)
- CD34: MZool Zoology with Conservation year 3 (MZOOL/CONS)
- CD3P: MZool Zoology with Conservation with Placement Year year 4 (MZOOL/CONSP)
- C303: MZool Zoology with Herpetology year 3 (MZOOL/HERP)
- C325: MZool Zoology with Animal Behaviour with International Exp year 4 (MZOOL/ZAIE)
- C321: MZool Zoology with Climate Change year 3 (MZOOL/ZCC)
- CD35: MZool Zoology with Conservation w International Experience year 4 (MZOOL/ZCIE)
- C326: MZool Zoology with Herpetology with International Experience year 4 (MZOOL/ZHIE)
- C353: MZool Zoology with Marine Zoology year 3 (MZOOL/ZMZ)
- C354: MZool Zoology with Marine Zoology with International Exp. year 4 (MZOOL/ZMZI)
- C37P: MZool Zoology with Marine Zoology with Placement Year year 3 (MZOOL/ZMZP)
- C306: MZool Zoology (with International Experience) year 4 (MZOOL/ZOIE)
- C301: MZool Master of Zoology year 3 (MZOOL/ZOO)
- C333: MZool Zoology with Primatology year 3 (MZOOL/ZP)
- C33P: MZool Zoology with Primatology with Placement Year year 4 (MZOOL/ZPP)
- C334: MZool Zoology with Ornithology year 3 (MZOOL/ZR)
- C3P4: MZool Zoology with Ornithology with Placement Year year 4 (MZOOL/ZRP)