BIOL429-21S1 (C) Semester One 2021

Conservation Genetics

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 22 February 2021
End Date: Sunday, 27 June 2021
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 7 March 2021
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 14 May 2021

Description

This course addresses contemporary issues in conservation genetics including the genetic consequences of small population size, the genetic consequences of hybridisation and introgression, the role of genetics in species recovery, and the genetic management of captive and wild populations in collaboration with diverse end-users.

This course addresses contemporary issues in conservation genetics with a strong emphasis on the conservation genetic management of threatened captive and wild populations in partnership with with relevant Māori iwi, hapū and trusts, and in collaboration with diverse stakeholders including relevant conservation agencies, conservation trusts and community groups. Topics include the genetic consequences of small population size, intra- and interspecific hybridisation, and the resolution of taxonomic uncertainties.

Learning Outcomes

  • As a student in this course, I will develop the ability to:
  • demonstrate an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages, limitations and uses of genetic data to address issues of conservation concern. (assessment tasks: tweets, group presentation, final exam)
  • effectively communicate contemporary issues in conservation genetics including the genetic consequences of small population size, intra- and interspecific hybridisation, and the resolution of taxonomic uncertainties to Treaty partners and diverse stakeholders. (assessment tasks: tweets, presentation, final exam)

    Transferable skills register and associated assessment
    As a student in this course, I will develop the following skills:
  • Synthesising information. In everyday life and in many job situations you will be required to read information from different sources, construct your own understanding and shape your own viewpoint. This skill will be developed during seminar discussions when answering questions from selected readings, following seminar discussion when formulating social media contributions, and during preparation for a formal presentation that will provide specific conservation genetic management advice to a diverse group of end-users.
  • Analysing and interpreting conservation genetic data. Important for research, as well as in a number of private- and public-sector organisations. This skill will predominantly be developed when answering questions from selected readings.
  • Effective verbal communication of conservation genetic theory and principles to diverse endusers. Expressing yourself clearly and concisely is important when you are attending meetings, having a telephone conversation, giving presentations, or teaching/training. This skill will predominantly be developed following seminar discussion when formulating social media contributions and during preparation for a formal presentation that will provide specific conservation genetic management advice to a diverse group of end-users.
  • Effective written communication regarding conservation genetic theory and principles to diverse end-users. Many employers require employees to have good written communication skills. This skill will predominantly be developed during preparation for the final exam.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of School.

Restrictions

BIOL431

Course Coordinator

Tammy Steeves

Lecturers

Tammy Steeves , Sarah Flanagan and Matthew Walters

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Final Exam 40%
Genetics of small populations 17 Mar 2021 5%
Intraspecific hybridisation 31 Mar 2021 5%
Interspecific hybridisation 05 May 2021 5%
Resolving taxonomic uncertainties 19 May 2021 5%
Group presentation 01 Jun 2021 40%

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

Frankham, Richard , Ballou, J. D., Briscoe, David A; Introduction to conservation genetics ; 2nd ed; Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,066.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Biological Sciences .

All BIOL429 Occurrences

  • BIOL429-21S1 (C) Semester One 2021