Molecular Evolution

Code:

B4024

Acronym:

B4024

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2022/2023 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Cell and Molecular Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
E:BBC	3	PE_Bioinformatics and Computational Biology	1	-	6	42	162
M:BBC	6	The study plan since 2018	1	-	6	42	162
M:BCM	6	Official Study Plan until 2023/2024	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

The students should understand key concepts in molecular evolution and integrate this knowledge towards the development of working hypothesis to explain specific scientific questions. In addition the students should acquire the know-how to choose the most adequate methodologies to validate or refuse the different evolutionary hypotheses.

Learning outcomes and competences

Upon successful completion of the course students should be comfortable with databases and different bioinformatic resources commonly used to select data and carry on with its functional and evolutionary analysis. Finally, the students should be able to understand, present and criticise an article in molecular evolution.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

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Program

Introduction: the pre-DNA era, DNA polymorphism in populations, Estimating the number of nucleotide substitutions between sequences, The roles of mutation and selection, Dynamics of genes in populations, Rates and patterns of substitution, Molecular Clocks, Molecular Phylogenetics, Genome organization and evolution, Examples (two short stories): Drosophila ageing genes; the evolution of RNase-based gametophytic self-incompatibility in plants.

Mandatory literature

Li, Wen-Hsiung; Molecular Evolution, Sinauers Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts, 1997
Hartl, Daniel L. ; A Primer of Population Genetics, Sinauers Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts, 2000
Futuyma, Douglas J.; Evolution, Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, Massachusetts, 2009

Teaching methods and learning activities

A series of lectures, demonstrations and computer laboratories that cover various aspects of molecular evolution. The students will present a paper in the field of Molecular evolution. The paper chosen will also be the focus for a small report. Together with a computer exercise will be the subject of the evaluation.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Trabalho escrito	80,00
Trabalho laboratorial	20,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	120,00
Frequência das aulas	42,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

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Calculation formula of final grade

Report 80% Computer exercise 20%

Examinations or Special Assignments

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Internship work/project

.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

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Classification improvement

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Observations

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