BB40134: Molecular phylogenetics
[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]
| Academic Year: | 2021/2 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Biology & Biochemistry |
| Credits: | 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 120 |
| Level: | Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7) |
| Period: |
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| Assessment Summary: | CW 30%, EX 70% |
| Assessment Detail: |
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
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| Requisites: | Before taking this module you are advised to take BB20023 OR take BB20040 |
| Aims: | To outline how scientists can infer and interpret evolutionary relationships using molecular data and how this process is both informed by and informs our understanding of molecular evolution. To provide practical skills in molecular phylogenetic inference. |
| Learning Outcomes: | After taking this course the student should be able to:
* explain what phylogenetic inference is, how molecular sequence data can be used for this, and how to critically interpret phylogenetic trees. * give a detailed explanation of what rates of genetic variation are, why there are different rates, and what effects this can have on molecular evolution and phylogenetic inference. * describe the theories and methodologies of multiple sequence alignment. * describe the theories, methodologies, and practical applications of the most common methods of phylogenetic inference (distance, parsimony, maximum likelihood, quartet puzzling). * expound on what the major methodological and biological considerations/limitations are in phylogenetic inference and some of the approaches to accommodate/correct for these. * explain the most common methods to assess confidence in phylogenetic inferences. * practically carry out sequence data collection from databases, multiple sequence alignments, phylogenetic inferences using a number of different methods and with assessments of confidence, and critically interpret and evaluate the resultant phylogenetic trees. |
| Skills: | Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Information technology T/F/A, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. |
| Content: | Selectionist and neutralist theories of evolution. Genetic mutation. Molecular clock theory. Molecular phylogenetics in perspective. Phylogenetic trees and their interpretation. Obtaining and assessing phylogenetically informative characters. Sequence alignment. Models of evolution. Common methods of inference. Assessing confidence for inferences. Methodological considerations/limitations. Considerations/limitations due to the nature of molecular evolution. Examples. Practical alignment and inference exercises. |
| Programme availability: |
BB40134 is Optional on the following programmes:Department of Biology & Biochemistry
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Notes:
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