Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Environmental Genomics focuses on the ecological questions that can be addressed with DNA sequencing technologies. The unit is composed of one lecture each week delivered online and a workshop delivered both live and online. Students will be taught the technical details of applying environmental genomics technology to example ecological or management problems. The computational skills required to analyse environmental DNA sequence data will be taught through a series of classes on basic bioinformatics, so students will have to have their own computer with administrator access for this portion of the course. The ecological theory on which interpretation of environmental DNA data is based will be taught. Example studies using Environmental Genomics for questions on the ecology of Australia and beyond will be presented by guest lecturers or the co-ordinator. The unit is assessed through online quizzes, a personalised essay on a topic within Environmental Genomics of interest to the student, and a final exam
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face Not available in 2025 Online Online Restricted - Details for undergraduate courses
- Honours option in Conservation Biology; Zoology [Bachelor of Science (Honours)]
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) plan an effective ecological experiment that will involve DNA sequencing analysis; (2) conduct effective biological sampling leading to appropriate DNA samples for analysis; (3) generate amplicons by PCR appropriate for the ecological question; (4) process amplicons to create a DNA library for high throughput sequencing; (5) conduct bioinformatic analysis of a simple DNA library; and (6) analyse results from DNA sequencing.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) essay on a specific topic; (2) online tests during the course (2); and (3) Final online exam. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Simon Jarman
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion oflevel 2 Unit(s) in genetics or equivalent
Approved quota: 20—academic merit. - Contact hours
- Block teaching of lectures and fieldwork over two weeks. Block teaching of bioinformatic analysis, biological data analysis and group presentation over 1 week, 8 weeks after initial block.
lectures x 15hrs, fieldwork x 8hrs, lab work x 24hrs, analysis x 40hrs, prep delivery & group presentation x 15hrs, essay prep x 48hrs
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.