Print Syllabus

Syllabus

BI1449 Conservation Genetics, 15.0 Credits

Bevarandegenetik

Subjects

Biology Science

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Master’s level (A1F)

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits including:

- 60 credits Biology
- 60 credits Forestry Science
- 60 credits Natural Resource Management
- 60 credits Environmental Sciences

15 credits Ecology



30 credits Biology at advanced level including 15 credits Ecology

English 6

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in the field of conservation genetics and its applications for biodiversity conservation, fish and wildlife management and ecological restoration.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

• Explain why conservation genetics is important for the management of wildlife populations and biodiversity
• Describe concepts of genetics at species, population, and individual levels and how it can apply to conservation
• Apply genetics concepts to managing wildlife populations and biodiversity specific to issues we face today (i.e. climate change, habitat loss, small population sizes etc.)
• Provide examples of case studies where genetics were used for conservation and critically assess reasons for conservation genetics cases that were successful and those that were not successful
• Describe current methods for sampling and analysis of genetic data in biodiversity research and practical conservation
• Link conservation genetics with ecological processes and other conservation methods and tools (e.g. restoration and rewilding)
• Be able to demonstrate skills for conservation genetics studies of wildlife populations in the field, laboratory and computational

Content

Subject-related content:

The course will link conservation to the genetics of individuals and populations and the practical implications and methods. The course will cover individual genomes where students will gain an understanding of concepts such as types of genomes, ploidy, heterozygosity, and gene activity. The course cover genomes in populations including concepts such as genetic drift, natural selection, Hardy-Weinberg principle, and effective population size and population structure. All of these concepts will then come together in the final theoretical section on conservation of wild populations and biodiversity where we will consider inbreeding, hybridization, anthropomorphic effects, and climate change. The theoretical framework will be connected to current examples on how genetic techniques are use in practical conservation work. Students will get experience in addressing conservation genetic issues using online databases and conduct analyses using relevant statistical software.

Teaching formats:

To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used:

lectures, seminars, readings, lab work, computation analysis, data analysis, and project work

The course focuses on the following generic competencies:

-oral presentation

- data management

The following course components are compulsory:

Assignments and computer labs are compulsary

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

Approved written examination, approved compulsory assignments and participation in compulsory parts.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Environmental Studies