Program Overview

BIO356 - Genetics and Evolution

Overview

To view overview information, please note that this section is dependent on selecting a specific offering.

Offerings

• MURDOCH-S1-FACE2FACE-2025-ONGOING

  • Teaching period code: Semester 1-S1
  • Location: Murdoch
  • Attendance mode: Face to Face
  • Start year: 2025
  • End year: -
  • Self enrol: Yes

Requisites

• Prerequisite

  • MAS183: Statistical Data Analysis (3 cp)
  • OR
  • MAS182: Applied Mathematics (3 cp)
  • AND
  • BIO152: Cell Biology (3 cp)

• Exclusion

  • BIO372: Genetics and Evolution (4 cp)

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand fundamental concepts in eukaryotic genetics and evolution at the level of the genome, cell, individual, population, and species and use this understanding to solve related problems.
2. Critically discuss a range of issues in eukaryotic genetics and evolutionary biology.
3. Analyse and interpret genetic and evolutionary data.
4. Report experimental results in a scientific and professional manner.
5. Demonstrate time management and independent learning skills.

Additional Information

• Unit content:
  1. The Eukaryotic Genome: the structure and evolution of the eukaryotic genome.
  2. Cytogenetics: mitosis, meiosis, and chromosomal rearrangements.
  3. Inheritance: Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance.
  4. Population Genetics: the genetic composition of populations, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and microevolutionary forces.
  5. Natural Selection and Adaptation: studying microevolution through phenotypic traits and the science of natural selection in natural populations.
  6. Quantitative Genetics: sources of phenotypic variation, heritability, and response to selection.
  7. Inbreeding: random and non-random inbreeding, measuring inbreeding in individuals and populations, inbreeding depression, and the advantages of inbreeding.
  8. Species Concepts and Modes of Speciation: what is a species?, the strengths and weaknesses of the Biological Species Concept; and mechanisms of speciation.

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals

This curriculum aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• Goal 14: Life below water
• Goal 15: Life on land

Unit Details

• Unit version: 13
• Version start date: 01/01/2026
• Owning college: College of Environmental and Life Sciences
• Owning school: Environmental and Conservation Sciences
• Credit points: 3