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GENE20020

Academic Year 2024/2025

Principles of Genetics (GENE20020)

Subject:
Genetics
College:
Science
School:
Biology & Environment Science
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Craig Wilding
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

For more than a century, the knowledge of the mechanisms of heritability have provided biologists with the most robust framework to understand all biological phenomena at all levels of organisation. This module aims to provide an understanding of this.
It is structured into four main sections: the first covers molecular genetics and looks at the structure, organisation and function of genes and genomes, and how genetic information is encoded, replicated and expressed. The second section deals with transmission genetics: the principles of heredity and how traits are passed from one generation, from single gene inheritance to quantitative trait loci. The application of these mechanisms in plant and animal breeding will also be discussed. In the third section the focus is on the evolutionary implications of genetics, examining the role of gene flow, random genetic drift and natural selection in driving evolutionary change in natural populations. The final section of the module will present an overview of phylogenetic methods and applications and illustrate the relevance of molecular genetics for inferring genealogies among taxa.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the course, the students will:
a) have a satisfactory knowledge of the basic functioning of the intracellular structures involved in heritability;
b) be able to discover how genetic processes exert effects on the morphology, ecology and the evolution of organisms, populations, species and higher-order taxa;
c) have the opportunity to appreciate the staggering power of molecular genetic applications in breeding, population and phylogenetics.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

91
Lectures

23
Practical

6
Computer Aided Lab

4
Total

124

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and practicals

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Life on Earth (BIOL 10140); Cell Biology and Genetics (BIOL 10110).


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
ANSC20010 - Genetics and Biotechnology, GENE20010 - Plant and Animal Genetics


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End of trimester exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Continuous assessment of practical classes including MCQs and other exercises Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Eight online quizzes to be completed each week by Friday at 11.59 pm (in Achieve)
One practice online quiz will be given		 Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 7, Week 8, Week 10, Week 11 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be given class feedback post assessment

Name Role
Assoc Professor Jens Carlsson Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Monica De Gaetano Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Graham Hughes Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Julia Jones Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Joanna Kacprzyk Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rainer Melzer Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Susanne Schilling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Emma Teeling Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Carlotta Sacchi Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 29 Tues 09:00 - 09:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 24 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 23 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 25 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 26 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 24 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Practical Offering 2 Week(s) - 23 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 25 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 26 Fri 09:00 - 10:50
Spring Practical Offering 5 Week(s) - 22, 24 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Practical Offering 5 Week(s) - 23 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 25 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 26 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Practical Offering 7 Week(s) - 22, 24 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Practical Offering 7 Week(s) - 23 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 25 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 26 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Practical Offering 8 Week(s) - 22, 24 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Practical Offering 8 Week(s) - 23 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 25 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 26 Fri 15:00 - 16:50
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