Overview
Understanding how genetic concepts, including inbreeding and population structure, inform the management of populations. This paper pays particular attention to indigenous perspectives and communication skills.
Understand the genetics of endangered species and how human intervention can mitigate loss of genetic potential. (1) This paper will introduce genetics concepts key to the management of threatened populations such as inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity; (2) introduce students to the tools available for conservation in the genomic era; and (3) train students to communicate genetics concepts to decision makers and to the general public with awareness of the specific context of Aotearoa New Zealand
About this paper
| Paper title | Conservation Genomics |
|---|---|
| Subject | Zoology |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,448.79 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- GENE 222, GENE 315, ZOOL 424 passed between 2020-23.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Dr Ludovic Dutoit , Professor Bruce Robertson and Dr Alana Alexander
- Textbooks
No text book is compulsory but most of the concepts presented in class are covered in the following book/ebook available at the university library:
Allendorf, Professor Fred W. Conservation and the Genomics of Populations. Oxford University Press, 2022
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Cultural understanding, interdisciplinary perspective, communication, teamwork, Research, and critical thinking skills
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Explain key population genetics concepts such as Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium and genetic diversity
- Define population genetics concepts key for conservation such as effective population size, inbreeding indexes, inbreeding depression and measures of population structure
- Understand the ways in which human intervention can mitigate loss of genetic diversity both in captive breeding and using genetic rescue
- Conceptually understand the different next-generation sequencing techniques
- Critically assess relevant peer-reviewed Conservation Genomics articles
- Communicate effectively with people from different backgrounds
- Understand the ethics of conservation in Aotearoa specifically and the implications for Māori communities
- Give effective scientific oral presentations and debates