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Module

NES1300 : Genetics and Evolution

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Evelyn Jensen
  • Lecturer: Dr Ankush Prashar
  • Practical Supervisor: Dr Eleanor Jones
  • Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To develop a basic understanding of genetic and evolutionary principles and their application in biology.
To give an introduction to the concepts and principles of inheritance.
To give a basic understanding of the genetic code and how genes are expressed into proteins and the methods used to study genetic material and how these methods are used in different applications.
To develop a basic understanding of key evolutionary processes and mechanisms, including natural selection and neutral processes.
To explore the observational and experimental evidence for the role of these mechanisms in causing evolution.

Outline Of Syllabus

Genetics content includes themes covering the basics of cell cycles and division, inheritance patterns, alleles vs genes vs phenotypes, DNA structure and replication, expression of genetic information (transcription, RNA processing, translation), the regulation of gene expression, and applied biotechnological uses of molecular genetics (mutation and genetic screening, methods, and tools).


Evolution content includes introduction to the evolutionary processes of mutation, selection (including the types of selection), geneflow, genetic drift and nonrandom mating, and how evolution is measured as changes in allele frequencies. We then further explore how genetic variation arises within and between populations, how evolution is constrained, the basics of phylogenetics, and mechanisms of speciation.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion12:002:00Exam completion
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture291:0029:00Lectures
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion115:0015:00Exam revision (calculated as 0.5h per hour of lecture time)
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion110:0010:001 summative assessment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion102:0020:00Weekly formative quizzes
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical52:0010:00Practicals (between 1 and 3 hours in length)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study52:0010:00Preparation for practical
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study175:0075:00Study of lectures, RECAP, Canvas, reading etc.
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study291:0029:00Routine lecture follow up
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The main body of factual information is delivered by means of lectures.
Some of the fundamental concepts are reinforced by practical exercises, plus independent exercise work and worksheet exercises.
The practical's introduce the necessary skills we are seeking to impart.
In practical's sessions can vary between 1 and 3 hours.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination1202A70Exam comprise a digital component which consists of MCQs to be completed using the Inspira software
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Practical/lab report2A30Lab report (500 words)
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Digital Examination2MOptional canvas quizzes with multiple choice questions that are the same style and format as the final exam.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and practical materials together with the directed reading provide questions for formal assessment based on the knowledge acquired during these activities. The assessment will focus on testing depth and breadth of factual knowledge and general understanding of the concepts and implications in each subject area. The practical reports and in class tests are designed to assess the ability to understand and perform practical activities, record findings and interpret experimental results.

Reading Lists

Timetable