Molecular Ecology
Theory: 2 hours/week | ECTS Units: 3
Lectures in the English language are offered to Erasmus students
Learning Outcomes
The main purpose of the course is to demonstrate how molecular studies have brought about a revolution in the understanding of ecology and of the relationship between organisms and their environment. The Molecular Ecology course aims to convey the excitement of this rapidly developing field. Particular emphasis will be placed on issues of biological conservation.
The knowledge students acquire includes:
- Modern methodology of Molecular Ecology
- The origin of species and their evolution through natural selection
- The concept of the molecular clock
- Microbial diversity
- Horizontal gene transfer – Considerations regarding the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs)
- The use of molecular methods for species identification and classification
- Molecular methods and ancient DNA
- Behavioural ecology through molecular methods
- Conservation biology
- Mitochondrial DNA and its importance in ecology studies
Analytical Description of the Course
i. The methodology of Molecular Ecology: Methods of analysis in the modern era
ii. The origin and evolution of species
iii. The action of evolution at the molecular level – Molecular clocks
iv. The importance of mitochondrial DNA in molecular ecology studies of animal organisms
v. The role of mutations in ecology and evolution
vi. Microbial diversity – Molecular methods for estimating and analysing data
vii. Horizontal gene transfer and considerations arising from the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment
viii. Species identification with modern methods – Examples of identification in “unknown” species
ix. Population Ecology and Conservation Biology: Estimation of genetic diversity using molecular methods
x. Molecular techniques in behavioural biology
xi. Ancient DNA and recovery of genetic information: use of molecular methods in fossils and museum specimens
xii. Review of international literature
Student Performance Evaluation
Performance in the course is assessed by a written examination on the theoretical part of the course during the examination period, or through semester assignments, where students conduct a literature review on topics related to the subject.
The written examination includes:
Judgment/essay questions (50–60 points)
Targeted questions requiring short and precise answers (20–30 points)
Multiple-choice questions (20–30 points)
The total number of correct answers corresponds to 100 points, which are converted to a grade of 10.
Suggested Bibliography
- Molecular Approaches to Ecology and Evolution, Rob Desalle (Editor), Bernd Schierwater (Editor), Birkhouse, 1998.
- The Causes of Molecular Evolution, John Gilespie, Oxford University Press, 1994.
- Molecular Methods in Ecology, Allan J. Baker (Editor), D.T. Parkin, Blackwell Science Inc., 2000.
Teaching Material / E-class
Lecturers
