BZ3450 - Ecological and Conservation Genetics

Credit points:	03
Year:	2005
Student Contribution Band:	Band 2
Administered by:

The continuing development of genetic techniques over recent years has opened new and exciting avenues in research in ecology and conservation. A rounded education in any ecological or conservation field requires awareness of the current use and future potential of genetic techniques. This subject introduces the student to these uses. Uses of molecular phylogenies will be introduced to demonstrate how these can trace the evolutionary history of a group and assist in biodiversity surveys. Factors affecting the genetic structure of species will be covered, including the effects of social structure and population subdivision on gene flow. There is an emphasis on the use of genetic approaches to setting conservation priorities and in management of endangered populations. Resource management issues, such as germplasm conservation and the development of genetically modified organisms, will be discussed.

Learning Outcomes

• develop an understanding of the underlying genetic architecture of organisms and how this reflects and influences evolutionary processes;
• develop an understanding of the use of molecular information to devise and test phylogenetic hypotheses;
• develop an understanding of the ways in which genetic data can be collected and analysed to answer questions about the ecological and social structure of a species;
• develop an understanding of the ways in which genetic principles can be applied to the management of natural and genetically modified resources.

Prerequisites:	6 units of level 1 BT BZ or ZL subjects and BZ2420 (Townsville students); 6 units of level 1 BT BZ or ZL subjects (Cairns students)
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	BC3040 and BT3350 and BT3360 and BZ3410 and BZ5410 and BZ5450 and ZL3041 and ZL5041

Availabilities
, , Study Period 1
Census Date 31-Mar-2005
Coordinator:	Professor David Blair
Lecturers:	Leone Bielig, btpag, jc122736, pvrmw, Professor David Blair.
Contact hours:	26 hours 36 hours
Assessment:	(50%); (10%); (15%); (25%).
, , Study Period 1
Census Date 31-Mar-2005
Coordinator:	Professor David Blair
Lecturers:	Leone Bielig, btpag, pvrmw, Professor David Blair.
Contact hours:	26 hours 5 hours 36 hours
Assessment:	(50%); (10%); (15%); (25%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.