3 ECTS credits
75 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4009214ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Biology
Educational team
Marc Kochzius (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
20 contact hours Lecture
13 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

This course gives a brief introduction to molecular methods used in ecology and conservation genetics at population level:

  • Genetics, genomics and conservation
  • Genetic variation in natural populations
  • Population genomics
  • Random mating populations: Hardy-Weinberg principle
  • Small populations and genetic drift
  • Effective population size
  • Population subdivision and gene flow

 

Practical exercises comprise data analysis of DNA sequence and microsatellite DNA using various freely available softwares, such as MEGA, Arlequin, GENALEX and STRUCTURE.

 

Course material:

Handbook (Recommended): Allendorf FW, Funk WC, Aitken SN, Byrne M, Luikart G (2022) Conservation and the Genomics of Populations.

Digital course material (recommended): Scientific papers on conservation genetics and molecular ecology. One paper on the molecular ecology of a species has to be chosen to present in the oral examen.

Course material
Handbook (Recommended) : Conservation and the Genomics of Populations, Allendorf FW, Funk WC, Aitken SN, Byrne M, Luikart G, 3rd, Oxford University Press, 9780198856573, 2023
Digital course material (Required) : Lecture slides, Kochzius, M., Available at Canvas
Digital course material (Required) : Scientific papers on conservation genetics and molecular ecology. One paper on the molecular ecology of a species has to be chosen to present in the oral examen., E-library of VUB
Additional info

Students who do not have a background in molecular ecology (genetic methods, DNA barcoding, phylogenetics, phylogeography and population genetics) should study this with the help of the following textbook before the start of the course: Freeland JR (2020) Molecular Ecology, 3rd edition, Wiley Blackwell, ISBN: 978-1-119-42615-8

Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

The overall objective of the course is to introduce the students in the genetics of biodiversity (as opposed to species and ecosystem diversity). Therefore, basic knowledge about DNA, genes and genomes is essential (see above and read Freeland, 2020). This course will place emphasis on ecological and conservation genetics of marine species.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
PRAC Report determines 30% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral examination with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 70% of the final mark.

Within the PRAC Report category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Reports with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 30% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:

  • Oral Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
  • Practical Reports determines 30% of the final mark.

 

 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Biology: Education (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management: Standaard traject
Master of Biology: Ecology and Biodiversity
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)