Genetics with Statistics - LIFE95010
Aims
By the end of the Genetics section of the module students should be able to (1) Describe factors affecting the expression of genes in eukaryotes, including the phenomenon of epigenetics; (2) Discuss the origin of new genes, evolution of genes and factors affecting population gene frequencies in time and space; (3) Describe the inheritance of complex or quantitative traits, and the use of quantitative trait loci (QTL) in mapping; (4) Discuss how genetic techniques can be applied to natural history, reconstructing relationships (phylogenies) and conservation; (5) Students will demonstrate their competence in genetics techniques by inducing and scoring mutations in Salmonella and conducting a population genetics analysis of microsatellite dataset using standard software such as GENEPOP. By the end of the Statistics section students should be able to (6) Obtain descriptive statistics of the data; (7) Produce meaningful visualizations the data by plotting them for exploration as well as model fitting; (8) Test for certain properties of data, such as normality, log-normality, etc. (9) For two samples, be able choose the appropriate test (e.g., t-test, paired t-test, Mann-Whitney u-test; randomization test etc); (10) Understand and use linear models including linear regression and ANOVA, check model assumptions using QQ plots, residual plots etc; (11) For data with non-normal errors or count data, be able to choose and perform appropriate tests especially generalised linear models (GLMs), and interpret the output
Role
Course Leader
Behavioural Ecology - LIFE95004
Aims
Behavioural Ecology is an evolutionary approach to the study of animal behaviour; the rationale being that behaviour evolves through natural selection to increase fitness within given ecological, social and historical constraints. The course aims to give an understanding of behaviour using a theoretical framework to study the interaction between behaviour, ecology and evolution. Through the lectures, theoretical concepts (such as optimality models, game theory and comparative methods) will be applied to key areas of animal behaviour such as foraging, communication, where to live/dispersal/migration, fighting/competition, reproductive behaviour (including sexual selection, sexual conflict, alternative mating behaviour), parental care and social behaviour. The lectures on the ultimate causes of behaviour will be supplemented with those investigating the proximate causes of behaviour. The lectures will be complemented by an emphasis on practical work and experimentation. Students will be taught experimental design in animal behaviour and how to quantify and analyse behaviour using jWatcher software. Practicals using insects, birds and fish will be used to investigate grouping, vigilance, fighting, communication, and reproductive behaviour and a trip to London Zoo will introduce students to the study of primate behaviour. Finally, students will be given the opportunity to conduct a mini-project using crickets or fish.
Role
Course Leader
Ecology and Evolution - LIFE40007
Aims
The impact of our species' activities on the world's ecosystems poses an existential threat to human civilisation. It is critical that biological scientists understand the processes by which the diversity of life on earth has arisen, interacts with its environment, and is maintained, so that we can critically evaluate environmental policy.
This module aims to explore how the planet's biological diversity is organised by ecological processes into ecosystems, communities, and populations. We also aim to develop your skills in statistics, experimental design, and practical field-work, and to continue to develop your writing skills.
Role
Course Leader
Evolutionary Applications - LIFE96015
Aims
To provide an overview of selected topics in Evolutionary Biology, focusing on Natural Selection and Evolutionary Genetics. The course does not cover Earth History, including the fossil record.
Role
Lecturer