Catalogue of Modules, University of Nottingham

C43541 Conservation Genetics
(Last Updated:08 April 2013)

Year  11/12

Total Credits: 10

Level: Level 3

Target Students:    Available to JYA/Erasmus students.

Taught Semesters:

SemesterAssessment
Autumn Assessed by end of Autumn Semester 

Prerequisites: There are no pre-requisite modules. Both the first year module Genetics, Ecology and Evolution (C11120) and the third year module Population Genetics (C43540) are desirable, but not essential.

Corequisites:  None.

Summary of Content:  This lecture module describes the genetic effects of reduced population size, especially as they relate to the conservation of endangered species. Random genetic drift and inbreeding will be discussed in depth, both from theoretical and practical standpoints. The importance of heterozygosity and the consequences of a loss of genetic variability will be examined, and ways of alleviating these, using both experimental and theoretical approaches. This will lead into a review of the units of conservation from a genetic perspective.

Method and Frequency of Class:

ActivityNumber Of WeeksNumber of sessionsDuration of a session
Lecture 6 weeks1 per week4 hours

Activities may take place every teaching week of the Semester or only in specified weeks. It is usually specified above if an activity only takes place in some weeks of a Semester

Further Activity Details:
Two and a half hours of lectures per week.

Method of Assessment: 

Assessment TypeWeightRequirements
Dissertation 90 c2500 words. 
Coursework 1 10 Assessed computer based session 

Convenor: 
Dr A Davison

Education Aims:  To present an advanced review of the role of genetics in the conservation of endangered species. Objectives: Students completing this module should have acquired an advanced knowledge of the effects of limited population size upon genetic structure; the theory of inbreeding and inbreeding depression in captive and wild populations; the use of genetic technology to investigate population structure; ways of managing endangered species to maximise their genetic variability; and modern views of specific concepts.

Learning Outcomes:  Note taking; literature review; investigation and criticism of scientific literature.

Offering School:  Biology

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