• Semester 1 (Day)

Pre-requisite: 62101+64001

Synopsis

The unit presents the scientific basis of heredity.  The principles
of genetics play an increasingly important role in the modern world;
in the breeding of improved crops and livestock, the conservation of
endangered species and the genetic engineering of new products for
agriculture or medicine.  The unit commences with an overview of
Mendelian genetics and introduces concepts of importance to both
plant and animal breeding.  The theory and practice of manipulating
and mapping the location of genes on chromosomes and the effects of
mutations on gene expression are studied.  The science of genetic
engineering is briefly introduced.  Changes in chromosome number and
structure in plants (eg evolution of wheat) and animals (eg Downs
Syndrome) are examined as are the important areas of population
genetics, evolution and behavioural genetics.