Environmental and Forensic Genetics (10001.2)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Environmental and Forensic Genetics
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Science Level 3 - Undergraduate Advanced Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit will introduce the concepts of population genetics and show how these concepts, when combined with genetic data, can be used to understand and interpret human health and forensics and key aspects of the natural world. Recent advances in genomics have made available a wealth of genetic information. Students will gain an understanding of the methods and techniques used to generate these data as well as learn how to use the data to make informed decisions about medical research, biodiversity, wildlife management and human identity and differentiation. There will be a focus on the understanding, implementation and interpretation of computational tools for population genetic analysis with a view to communicating these concepts to scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Express, in the form of a report, a clear and confident interpretation of a population genetic analysis;

2. Collate, analyse, manipulate, evaluate, interpret and present information and numerical data from population genetic case studies;
3. Select and use appropriate information and communication technologies to retrieve, manipulate and present population genetic data;
4. Implement and evaluate strategies for the resolution of problems in population genetics;

5. Critically evaluate published research in the field of population genetics;
6. Work with others as part of a group; and
7. Demonstrate the ability to cope with and communicate uncertainty in population genetic analysis.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas


Prerequisites

10223 Genetics and Genomics

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

8379 Forensic Biology AND 8675 Population Genetics.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
Not available

Required texts

Required texts:

Hamilton, M (2009) Population genetics.  Wiley-Blackwell. 

  • This is an e-book to which all UC students will have free on-line access.  It is also available in hard cover in the UC Library (available for 3 hour loan).

Butler, JM (2010) Fundamentals of forensic DNA typing.  Academic Press (Elsevier). 

  • This is an e-book to which all UC students will have free on-line access.

Recommended texts:

Nielsen, R, & Slatkin, M (2013) An introduction to population genetics. Sinauer Associates.

  • This is a hard cover book available in the UC Library (available for 7 day loan).

Hartl, DL, & Clark, AG (2007) Principles of population genetics (4th Ed.).  Sinauer Associates.

  • This is a hard cover book available in the UC Library (available for 7 day loan).

Jamieson, A. and Bader, S. (2016) A guide to forensic DNA profiling. Wiley. 

  • This is an e-book to which all UC students will have free on-line access.

Buckleton, J, Triggs, CM, & Walsh, SJ (2005) Forensic DNA evidence interpretation. CRC Press.

  • This is an e-book to which all UC students will have free on-line access.  It is also available in hard cover in the UC Library (available for 7 day loan).

Gill, P (2015)  Misleading DNA evidence.   Academic Press (Elsevier). 

  • This is an e-book to which all UC students will have free on-line access.

Curran, JM (2011) Introduction to data analysis with R for forensic scientists. CRC Press. 

  • This is an e-book to which all UC students will have free on-line access.  It is also available in hard cover in the UC Library (available for 7 day loan).

All of these text books are accessible via the Reading List on the unit Canvas site.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

In the event a student misses the end of semester examination due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, the procedures outlined on https://www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/canberra-students/examinations-and-results/alternative-exams must be followed (including submitting the online deferred application form within 3 days of scheduled exam to the Examinations Office).

Special assessment requirements

In order to pass this unit you must:

  1. Complete or have completed the Academic Integrity Module (AIM)
  2. 80% attendance in workshops
  3. 80% attendance in computer labs
  4. Achieve an overall aggregate mark of 50% or more
  5. Attempt all assessments

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Learner engagement

The workload for this Unit consists of 4 contact hours per week over 12 weeks for a total of 48 contact hours. The remaining 102 hours should be apportioned according to the weighting for each assessment item. For example, the group project presentations are worth 20 % of the final assessment and therefore should account for 20 hours outside of contact hours.  The final test presentation is worth 10 % and should account for 10 hours.  You would be wise to include frequent and regular revision as part of this 10 hours, rather than cramming in the final week of semester.

Participation requirements

Attendance to workshops (80% attendance) and computer labs (80% attendance) is compulsory.

Participation in workshops and tutorials is required as a condition for passing this unit.  Participation is considered to be attendance at 6 or more each of the workshops and tutorials. Your participation will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment submissions. Lack of participation may result in your inability to satisfactorily pass assessment items.  All lecture material, on-line readings and tutorial activities may be assessable. No exemptions, special consideration or revision of workshops and tutorials will be granted for a student who does not attend without a medical certificate or statutory declaration outlining sufficient reason for non-attendance. Acceptance of such a reason is at the discretion of the Unit Convener.

Group projects will be performed in groups and it is the responsibility of group members to ensure that work is shared.  All group members will be asked to provide an assessment of their own contribution and that of their fellow group members to the final report. This judgement may influence the final mark of individual group members.

Attendance at the presentations of group work is compulsory.

Required IT skills

Basic word processing (e.g. Microsoft Word), spreadsheet (eg. Microsoft Excel) and internet skills are assumed. 

Basic knowledge of R. 

In-unit costs

A portable USB digital data storage device may be required.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

All communication relating to this Unit will be conducted through Canvas or email.

Notifications through the Announcements Forum or the Discussion Forum are deemed to be made to the whole class. It is your responsibility to check for announcements on the Unit's Canvas website (Canvas forum messages are also emailed to student email addresses only). Students should ensure they check their student email regularly or divert student email to a preferred email address.

You are advised to select the following option for your "Notification preferences" in your Canvas "Account": Notify me right away

This unit involves research-led education. There are active researchers delivering this unit who are able to engage students in deep and active learning and transmit to students their passion for the research they are conducting.