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Lismore Session 1 Session 1
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Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Intermediate

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Pre-requisites

BIO00201 - Biology

Anti-requisites

BIO72025 - Molecular Genetics

Unit aim

This unit provides an introduction to the principles of genetics — the science of heredity. Humankind relies heavily on the application of genetic principles for the production of food, fibre, timber, animal feed, effective medicines and disease diagnosis. Genetics can also be used to understand evolution and manage threatened species for long term survival. We also explore techniques used to reveal genetic differences between individuals, the genetic basis of evolutionary change and the genetics of populations and the how this can impact on conservation management.

Unit content

Introduction to, and importance of, genetics

Chromosomes, meiosis and sexual reproduction

Mendelian inheritance patterns

Non-Mendelian inheritance patterns

The physical nature of genes - chromosome and DNA structure

Genes at the molecular level

Mutation

Mutation detection (detecting genetic variation)

Population genetics

Evolutionary genetics

Applications of genetics - Conservation genetics, breeding, human disease

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 demonstrate an understanding of single gene inheritance, meiosis, segregation and recombination
2 analyse information on inheritance patterns to provide likely underlying genetic causes for several classes of non-mendelian inheritance, including linkage, cytoplasmic inheritance, epistatic interaction and sex linked traits
3 describe the nature of the gene and define genetic mutations
4 interpret results of genotyping to apply in decision making in plant or animal conservation
5 define genetic diversity, natural selection and genetic drift
6 discuss the ethical implications of genetic information for society and for individuals.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of single gene inheritance, meiosis, segregation and recombination
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  2. analyse information on inheritance patterns to provide likely underlying genetic causes for several classes of non-mendelian inheritance, including linkage, cytoplasmic inheritance, epistatic interaction and sex linked traits
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  3. describe the nature of the gene and define genetic mutations
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  4. interpret results of genotyping to apply in decision making in plant or animal conservation
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  5. define genetic diversity, natural selection and genetic drift
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  6. discuss the ethical implications of genetic information for society and for individuals.
    • GA1:
    • GA3:
    • GA4:

Prescribed texts

  • This is a suitable alternative: Pierce, BA, 2017, Genetics: A Conceptual Approach, 6th edn, WH Freeman, New York. ISBN: 978-1-319-05096-2.
  • This is the recommended textbook: Pierce, BA, 2016, Genetics Essentials: Concepts and Connections, 3rd edn, WH Freeman, New York. ISBN: 978-1-4641-9075-9.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.