Graduate Studies Reports Access
Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - PCB6556
Tracking Number - 5443
Current Status:
-
Campus: St Petersburg
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments:
Detail Information
- Date & Time Submitted: 2016-04-13
- Department: Biology
- College: AP
- Budget Account Number: 511209
- Contact Person: Deby Cassill
- Phone: 7274241424
- Email: cassill@mail.usf.edu
- Prefix: PCB
- Number: 6556
- Full Title: Conservation Genetics
- Credit Hours: 3
- Section Type: C -
Class Lecture (Primarily)
- Is the course title variable?: N
- Is a permit required for registration?: N
- Are the credit hours variable?: N
- Is this course repeatable?: N
- If repeatable, how many times?: 0
- Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum): Conservation Genetics
- Course Online?: C -
Face-to-face (0% online)
- Percentage Online: 0
- Grading Option:
-
- Prerequisites: PCB 3063
- Corequisites: None
- Course Description: The course is an introduction to theory and methods in conservation genetics, including techniques used to sample and analyze the genetic diversity of populations and to identify and manage threatened and endangered plant and animal populations.
- Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Needed for new program/concentration/certificate
- What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? This course is a core requirement for the proposed MS in Conservation Biology
- Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? No
- What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.) PhD in Biology or related field
- Objectives: 1. To understand the importance of biodiversity and genetic diversity, current conservation issues, and the contribution of genetic information to the conservation of species, habitats and ecosystems.
2. To develop an understanding of molecular tools available for conservation biology, and to learn how to choose the appropriate genetic tool for a given conservation issue.
3. To provide the opportunity to read, critique, interpret and discuss scientific papers on conservation issues and that include genetic data.
4. To develop the ability to formulate scientific questions and hypotheses, scientific writing, and research design.
- Learning Outcomes: 1. To understand the importance of biodiversity and genetic diversity, current conservation issues, and the contribution of genetic information to the conservation of species, habitats and ecosystems.
2. To develop an understanding of molecular tools available for conservation biology, and to learn how to choose the appropriate genetic tool for a given conservation issue.
3. To provide the opportunity to read, critique, interpret and discuss scientific papers on conservation issues and that include genetic data.
4. To develop the ability to formulate scientific questions and hypotheses, scientific writing, and research design.
- Major Topics: Value of Biodiversity and Loss of Biodiversity
Scope of Conservation Genetics
Population Genetics I: Hardy/Weinberg Principle, Genetic Drift
Population Genetics II: Effective Population Size, Population Subdivision Population Genetics III: Quantitative Genetics
Molecular Phylogenetics
- Textbooks: Frankham, R., Ballou, J.D. and Briscoe, D. A. 2010. Introduction to Conservation Genetics, 2nd Ed.
- Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases: NA
- Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy: Midterm exam is 25%
Final exam is 25%
Discussion and participation is 15%
Two papers and one presentation are 35%.
A+ = 97% and higher; A = 90%-
- Assignments, Exams and Tests: 1 Introduction 1, 2, 3
Value of Biodiversity and Loss of Biodiversity
Scope of Conservation Genetics
2 Population Genetics I: Hardy/Weinberg Principle, Genetic Drift 4, 9
3 Population Genetics II: Effective Population Size, Population Subdivision 6, 8
4 Population Genetics III: Quantitative Genetics 5
5 Molecular Phylogenetics 16
Pop. Gen. Quiz
6 Genetic Tools for Conservation 2, 10
Inbreeding Coefficients 12, 13
7 Conservation Issue Presentations
Conservation Issue Paper Due
8 Conservation Issue Presentations
Metapopulations and Fragmentation 14
MIDTERM EXAM
9 Evolutionarily Significant Units 16
Research Proposal Outline Due
10 Conservation Breeding 17, 19
11 Invasive Species I 18
12 Invasive Species II 18
13 Use of Genetics in Forensics 21
Research Proposal Due
14 Research Proposal Presentation I
15 Research Proposal Presentation II
16 FINAL EXAM
- Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)
Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.
- Policy on Make-up Work: Make-up work will be allowed on a case-by-case basis. The instructor expects students to be honest in all of their academic work. Cheating is defined as the improper taking or tendering of any information or material which shall be used to determine academic credit. Taking of information includes, but is not limited to, copying graded homework assignments from another student; working together with another individual(s) on a take-home test or homework when not specifically permitted by the instructor; looking or attempting to look at another student’s paper during an examination and; looking or attempting to look at text or notes during an examination when not permitted. Tendering of information includes, but is not limited to, giving your work to another student to be used or copied; giving someone answers to exam questions either when the exam is being given or after having taken an exam; giving or selling a term paper or other written materials to another student; sharing information on a graded assignment. The instructor may assign a grade of F or zero to an assignment, test, exam or other course work or the entire course for admitted or alleged academic dishonesty.
- Program This Course Supports: MS in Conservation Biology
- Course Concurrence Information: None
- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.