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Evolution and Genetics

Module description

Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution. In this module we will learn why. The incredible biodiversity of our planet can only be understood through understanding the processes that have shaped it: Chiefly thee random occurrence of new genes and the survival of those genes that are better at making copies of themselves. This is a concept that can be understood by anyone and yet which conceals the power to predict complex and extraordinary patterns in the diversity of life. This module demonstrates the evidence for evolution and explores how the battle between replicators shapes natural populations.

Module aims - intentions of the module

Evolution by natural selection is among the most profound discoveries in science. In this module you will be introduced to the basic principles and significance of evolution and how they are underpinned by  genetics. This module will introduce you to the processes that result in the wealth of biodiversity evident in the patterns of life on Earth and cover topics such as selection, variation, the deep history of life, speciation, sex and co-evolution. Alongside this, you will learn about the role of genetics and the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underpin these processes.

The module is team-taught by staff who are engaged in world-leading research and will introduce you to the skills you need to begin your journey towards scientific understanding using lectures, interactive sessions and practicals that apply techniques in bioinformatics and molecular biology. These skills will be fundamental to the topics you will go on to learn in subsequent years. The module will expose you to research-led teaching using real examples from ongoing research in our department and others. 

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Evaluate the evidence for evolutionary change
• 2. Explain the nature of genes and their behaviour in populations
• 3. Illustrate a knowledge and understanding of genetics
• 4. Outline the basic mechanisms by which populations change over time
• 5. Analyse the implications of evolutionary principles across disciplines

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Describe essential facts and theory across a sub-discipline of sciences
• 7. Identify critical questions from the literature and synthesise research-informed examples into written work
• 8. Communicate your subject to a scientific audience employing appropriate scientific language
• 9. Cite and reference work in an appropriate manner, ensuring academic integrity and the avoidance of plagiarism
• 10. Develop the skills necessary for independent lifelong learning (for example working independently, time management, organisation and enterprise)

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 11. Develop, with guidance, a logical and reasoned argument with sound conclusions
• 12. Communicate ideas, principles and theories using a variety of formats in a manner appropriate to the intended audience
• 13. Understand and manipulate numerical data
• 14. Use knowledge sources critically
• 15. Gain experience relevant to your chosen field through a work placement or internship

Syllabus plan

Lectures will critically examine the formal evidence for both the pattern and process of evolution and its genetic basis.    We will investigate the fossil evidence for the history of life, the discovery of DNA and RNA and their structure and synthesis.  We will consider how genotypes create phenotypes and the fundamental concepts of evolutionary change, including natural and sexual selection, variation, mechanisms of speciation, co-evolution and life history strategies. Practical sessions will reinforce concepts covered in lectures, emphasising the nature of scientific enquiry, including how to design and execute experiments and surveys and how to read scientific papers.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss the examination for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will be deferred in the examination. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall mark of less than 40%) you will be required to sit a further examination that will count for 100% of the module mark and be capped at the pass mark.

If a module has one exam the deferral and 100% referral version can be the same but for modules with two exams, the 100% referral exam will be different and consist of questions from both.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

• Freeman, S. and J.C. Herron. 2007. Evolutionary Analysis, 4^th Ed. Pearson Educational Ltd
• Russell, PJ 2006. IGenetics: A Mendelian Approach, Benjamin Cummings
• Ridley, M. 2004. Evolution, 3^rd Ed. Blackwell Science Ltd.
• Evolution. 2016. Bergstrom and Dugatkin, W.W. Norton and Company.
• Dawkins, R. 1976. The Selfish Gene, Oxford University Press
• Campbell NA, Reece JB (2008) Biology, 8^th Ed. Pearson. ISBN 0-321-53616-7/0-321-53616-9

Key words search

Evolution, natural selection, animal behaviour, mating systems, life histories, sexual selection, Genetics, DNA, inheritance, genome, sex determination, evolution and conservation genetics