BIOL456-18S2 (C) Semester Two 2018

Evolution and Dynamics of Biological Interactions

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 16 July 2018
End Date: Sunday, 18 November 2018
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 29 July 2018
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 14 October 2018

Description

Using a cross-disciplinary approach, this course explores various aspects of the evolution and dynamics of interactions between microbes and other organisms. Students will develop skills that are relevant to the fields of molecular phylogenetics and evolution, molecular microbiology, microbial ecology, and biochemistry.

Biological interactions, particularly with micro-organisms, impact on almost every aspect of biology, from plant nutrient uptake and photosynthesis to animal digestion to ecosystem function. We will explore the intimate interactions of micro-organisms (bacteria, oomycetes, fungi, archaea) with plants and animals, other micro-organisms and extreme environments. Students will develop skills in evaluating how molecular, ecological, biochemical and synthetic community approaches all contribute to our understanding of these critical, yet challenging to study, interactions. Students will apply their understanding to practical questions in using micro-organisms for biological control and primary productivity and to understanding gut microbiome.

To be successful in this course, we expect that you have had some microbiology at least to the 200 level. If you haven't had 300 level microbiology, we advise discussing the course with the course coordinator before enrolling. Recommended preparatory course(s): at least one of BIOL313, 332-335, 455, 460 and/ or BCHM301 (BIOL331). Experience in ecology would be helpful.

Learning Outcomes

As a student in this course I will develop the ability to:
● Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding and evaluation of experimental design, methodology and data (task: seminar discussions, exam).
● A sense of how scientists contribute to discovery. (task: seminar discussions)
● A sense of how scientific knowledge can be communicated and applied (task: assignments)
● A sense of the importance and limitations of scientific and technical methodology. (assessment task: exam)
● The ability to access and critically assess the scientific literature and techniques in applied and molecular microbiology (assessment task: seminar discussions, exam)
● Engage in science and technology issues with a broader understanding of their social and cultural context (assessment task: assignments)

Transferable skills register
● I can express myself as a scientist. This will be important for any career in research, journalism or business where you will need to communicate science to both experts and lay readers. The two assignments will focus on two forms of scientific communication.

Prerequisites

Subject to approval of the Head of School. RP: BIOL313, BIOL333, BCHM301/BCHM331

Restrictions

BIOL493

Recommended Preparation

BIOL313, BIOL333, BCHM301/BCHM331

Course Coordinator / Lecturer

Ian Dickie

Lecturers

Matthew Stott and Mitja Remus-Emsermann

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Develop internet resource 30%
Final Exam 30%
Participation in discussion as leader and participant 10%
Proposal to introduce new species 30%

Course links

Course Outline

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,013.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Biological Sciences .

All BIOL456 Occurrences

  • BIOL456-18S2 (C) Semester Two 2018