Quantitative methods for molecular systematics and biodiversity analyses

Theoretical and practical. The course can be taken as a singular course.

PhD students at UiT apply for a seat by registering for classes in StudentWeb before 1. September. The registration starts 15. May.

Other applicants apply for admission through SøknadsWeb before 1. June. Application code 9301. For applicants who are granted a seat, a study right will be created, and these applicants apply for a seat by registering for classes in StudentWeb before 1 September.

The study right gives the applicant admission to register to other open PhD courses or apply for a seat to PhD courses where entry is limited.

Biodiversity research addresses how many species exists, how new species are formed, and the genetic, ecological and evolutionary processes that maintain such a wide variety of organisms, as well as why organisms become extinct. Our knowledge of biodiversity is structured through the study of systematics, which seeks to understand the history of life by examining the phylogenetic and genetic relationships of organisms. By focusing on Arctic biodiversity from a historical perspective, we can better interpret current patterns and make projections into the future. At the core of this approach are phylogenetic trees and ‘tree thinking’ for the synthesis of genetic data and other biological and comparative observations. An appreciation of diversity, along with knowledge of the principles and procedures of systematics, is essential in ecology and forms the foundation for all work in resource utilization and conservation biology. The course is taught jointly by researchers from The Arctic University Museum, UiT. It includes lectures, laboratory DNA analysis, and practical sessions on phylogenetic data analysis using R/R studio and MEGA. The course provides a solid foundation relevant to various biological research tasks, which can be further advanced through other courses in Biosystematics offered at UiT, such as BIO-8024 and BIO-8025, as well as those provided by the Research School in Biosystematics (FORBIO) http://www.forbio.uio.no/events/.

Who can apply as a singular course student:

• PhD student enrolled at another institution than UiT. PhD students must upload a document from their university stating that there are registered PhD students. This group of applicants does not have to prove English proficiency and are exempt from semester fee.
• Holders of a master´s degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. These applicants must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you, see the following list: Proficiency in English must be documented - list of countries. For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see the following document: Proficiency in english - PhD level studies

Maximum 20 participants (BIO-3019 and BIO-8023)

If more than 20 applicants, priority will be given as follows:

• Participants admitted to the PhD programme at UiT
• Participants in the Associate Professor programme (Førstelektorprogrammet)
• PhD candidates from other universities
• People with a minimum of a Masters degree (or equivalent), who have not been admitted to a PhD programme

After the course, the students should have knowledge about:

• You learn fundamental principles and theories about biodiversity patterns and genetic, ecological and evolutionary processes behind them, with a focus on Arctic region.

Skills:

• You will acquire laboratory (DNA extraction, PCR and sequencing) skills for implementing DNA barcoding and quantitative analytical skills for tree building and multivariate ordination for morphometric and species community comparisons.

General competence:

• You will be able to evaluate a scientific problem and to set up and implement problem-solving strategy of experiments or observations.
• Interpret available data and effectively communicate relevant answer to the question and suggest solutions, in an academic context as well as in practical applications.

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• BIO-3019 Quantitative methods for molecular systematics and biodiversity analyses 10 ects

Language of instruction and examination

Re-sit examination