Subject description
Students will investigate the key concepts of evolutionary theory, selection, drift, mutation, gene expression and inheritance, plasticity and canalization, factors changing frequencies, mating systems, sexual selection, mate choice, sociality, life history strategies and trade-offs.
Enrolment rules
Pre-Requisite
Equivalence
BIOL852 - Evolution and Behaviour
Tutorial enrolment
Students can enrol online via the Tutorial Enrolment link in SOLS
Delivery
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Teaching staff
Subject coordinators
Lecturers
Tutors
Engagement hours
Contact Hours:2 hour Lectured and 3 hour Practical
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students will be able to:
1.
Describe how differences among individual organisms in populations are underpinned by the processes of mutation, gene expression and plasticity
2.
Describe the patterns of inheritance of genetic characteristics, and use appropriate data and knowledge of breeding experiments to infer patterns of inheritance
3.
Explain how changes in the genetic structures of populations are associated with population size, breeding system, and the process of selection resulting from challenging social and physical environments
4.
Demonstrate appreciation of the diversity of behaviours displayed by animals, and appreciate the difference between innate and learned behaviour
5.
Describe the proximate causes of behaviour, including the genetic basis of behaviour, the neural and hormonal control of behaviour, and the organization of behaviour
6.
Describe how behaviour develops over an animal’s lifetime, and recognise that these changes are the outcomes of an individual’s genes and experience
7.
Recognise the existence of various types of behaviour, including movement and migration behaviour, anti-predatory behaviour, parental-care behaviour,communication behaviour and sexual behaviour
8.
Design experiments to test whether behaviour is adaptive
Assessment details
Genetics Quiz
Lab Quizzes
Research Project Proposal Seminar
Group Project Video Documentary
Group Project Report
Work integrated learning
Embedded WIL:This subject contains elements of "Embedded WIL". Students in this subject will experience activities that relate to or simulate professional practice as part of their learning.
Textbook information
There is no textbook assigned to this subject for purchase, please refer to your subject outline for information on required readings
Contact details
Faculty contact