Molecular genetics and evolution, basic course

This is a basic course that can be part of the Bachelor´s programme in Molecular Biology or Biology. The course is also offered as a freestanding course.

Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences.

For admission to BIO906 you need to have followed the course BIO900, Cell Biology 15 credits, or an equivalent course.

The course is the second course in a block in Biology/Molecular Biology of 60 credits. The course is divided into two parts. It begins with Evolution (5 credits), which deals with evolutionary processes and their consequences, including speciation. This part of the course thus highlights how natural selection and genetic drift, in interaction with ecological factors, affect the dynamics, genetic composition and variation, life history, and behaviors in natural populations. The second part, Molecular Genetics (10 credits), deals with genes and their role in heredity. We describe the molecular mechanisms by which genetic information is stored and decoded, and goes from one generation to the next. The structure and regulation of genes and genomes, and how genetic changes can affect developmental biology and disease development will be discussed. Basic molecular evolution at the whole-genome level is also included.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding

• have knowledge of how our genome is organized.
• describe how genetic information is stored, decoded and passed from one generation to the next.
• have a general knowledge of mutations, repair and recombination of DNA.
• be able to determine the genetic position of loci based on their segregation among offspring.
• understand relatively complex mechanisms of gene regulation.
  describe fundamental basic principles of developmental biology.
• explain the meaning of key evolutionary concepts such as fitness, selection andadaptation.
• explain the meaning of basic population genetics concepts such as genetic drift,genetic differentiation and inbreeding.
  describe how ecological factors influence the evolution of life history traits.
• explain the theory behind exponential and density-dependent population models. 

Competence and skills

• have some knowledge and skills in molecular biology methods.
• be able to with own words explain genetic concepts.
• be able to define and use developmental biology terminology.
• apply and interpret simple population ecology and population genetics models.
• analyze and discuss selected ecological and evolutionary problems.
• read course books at high level. 

Judgement and approach

• be able to identify and discuss ethical issues from a genetic perspective.
• have an increased ability to evaluate the importance of biological knowledge for the community development.
• have an increased ability to critically examine and relate to different scientific and popular science sources.

The course is based on lectures, laboratory sessions, calculation and computer exercises as well as group assignments. In addition, the students will acquire knowledge in literature search and ethics during the course.

Language of instruction: English and Swedish 

The examination consists of two written exams, one for each module. Compulsory partsof the course are listed in the schedule. To pass the course, approved reports are also required. The number of occasions for compulsory elements is limited. For students who have not passed the regular exam, additional exam opportunities are offered. Opportunity to complete non-passed compulsory elements can be given, at the earliest,at the next course session and only in case of a vacancy.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

For Pass (G) on a course module requires at least 60% of the total score on the examand Pass with distinction (VG) requires 85%. For Pass the whole course also requiredapproved result on all other examination parts. In addition, for the final grade Pass with distinction, VG is required for both course modules.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The course replace BIO905 (Molecular Genetics) and parts of BIO915 (Ecology and Evolution). BIO906 and BIO905/916 can not at the same time be included in a degree.