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Unit outline_

AVBS4003: Wildlife and Evolutionary Genetics

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study focuses on the role and animal and veterinary biosciences in the field of wildlife management management and diseases using project-based, open learning space and research-led teaching approaches. The unit encourages an approach that spans management, wildlife biology and laboratory sciences. In recognition of the power of genetics as a tool in wildlife management and research, a large component of this course reviews fundamental genetic, genomic and immunogenetic principals and their application to understanding, managing and conserving wildlife. This unit also covers themes in Indigenous knowledges related to animal management and conservation as well as cultural competence. At the end of this unit of study, students will demonstrate an understanding of: important issues in wildlife management in Australia and the Asia-pacific region; project management as it applies to multifaceted wildlife research and management issues; application of a range of genetic and physiological methods to the study of ecological issues; the use of appropriate analytical methods and molecular markers in wildlife conservation and management; the underlying genetic structural design of the natural world and how this reflects and influences evolutionary processes in healthy and diseased populations; the use of molecular information to test hypotheses about evolutionary, ecological and social structure of species; how to critically review the ways in which genetic principals are applied to the management and conservation of species; the use of appropriate analytical methods and molecular markers in wildlife conservation and management; how to conduct an investigation into a management problem in wildlife including project design and management recommendations. Students are expected to immerse themselves into the field of conservation, evolutionary genetics and wildlife to develop the ability to critically evaluate the subject. There will be a substantial amount of reading required for the course. There is no formal text; students will be directed to a recommended reading list of both primary and secondary literature.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
48cp of 2000-level or 3000-level units
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AVBS3004
Assumed knowledge
? 

Expected background in genetics, genomics and wildlife.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Katherine Brittain, katherine.brittain@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Final exam
Written exam
50% Formal exam period 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Tutorial quiz Quiz week 4
Quiz
5% Week 04 30 minute multiple choice quiz
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3
Tutorial quiz Quiz week 6
Quiz
5% Week 06 30 minute Multiple choice
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO3
Assignment Research proposal
Written report
20% Week 06 1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Final manuscript
Written report
20% Week 12 3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Quiz week 4: Students will demonstrate undertanding of basic genetic principles
  • Quiz week 6: Students will demonstrate an understanding of applications of genetic analyses in wildlife research
  • Final manuscript: Students will provide a final written report on a given topic.
  • Research proposal: Students will present a research proposal to address a particular issue in wildlife and evolutionary genetics. Individuals will be provided with a different topic in the first class and will need to identify a key issue and scientific questions to be addressed.
  • Final exam: Lectures and activities that form part of
    the course will be potential topics for questions in the final exam. Sample questions will be provided prior to the exam.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit of study and assessments Lecture (1 hr)  
Taxonomy, species concepts and speciation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2
Week 02 Genetic distances Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Introduction to phylogenetics Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Cytogenetics and speciation/evolution Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 03 Introduction to phylogeography Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
phylogenetics practical Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Population genetics Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Phylogeography case studies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Median joining networks Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Environmental DNA, metagenomics and databases Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Environmental DNA Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Molecular markers Lecture (1 hr) LO1
metagenomics Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Reduced representation sequencing and whole genome techniques Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Structure and principle component analysis Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Indigenous knowledge of wildlife and cultural competence Lecture (2 hr) LO8
Pre feedback on proposal topics Lecture (3 hr) LO6 LO7
Week 08 Threats to conservation Lecture (1 hr) LO7
Guidelines to write a group manuscript Lecture (2 hr) LO6 LO7
Immunogenetics Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 09 Captive breeding and management programs Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7
Citizen science Lecture (1 hr) LO6
Citizen science Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Preparation for the group manuscript and class activity and data analyses Practical (6 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Work in groups on final manuscript Practical (6 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Meeting with groups and recap Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)  

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply a range of genetic and physiological methods to the study of ecological, conservation and management issues
  • LO2. critically review the ways in which genetic principals are applied to the management and conservation of species
  • LO3. describe use of molecular information to test hypotheses about evolutionary, ecological and social structure of species
  • LO4. explain the applications and limitations of some molecular methods used in monitoring disease in wildlife programs
  • LO5. understand the underlying genetic structural design of the natural world and how this reflects and influences evolutionary processes in healthy and diseased populations
  • LO6. demonstrate project management skills as they apply to multifaceted wildlife research and management issues
  • LO7. conduct an investigation into a management problem in wildlife including project design and management recommendations
  • LO8. understand the cultural competence aspects that need to be taken into consideration to undertake wildlife research and community work in cross cultural situations.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Extra support for bridging early genetics content in previous units

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.
 

General laboratory safety rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances 
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory 
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories 
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door 
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory 
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.