Biology – Exploring Evolutionary Change

Maximum Number of Students

25

Duration

1 Day 9:30 – 2:30

Curriculum Areas

VCE Biology

Description

Students investigate genetic diversity in local possum populations using micropipettes and gel electrophoresis. Aligned with VCE Biology Unit 4, they identify species diversity, explore molecular homology, and construct phylogenetic trees. Activities include gel electrophoresis, tree analysis, and survival simulations, covering allele frequency changes, homology evidence, and species relatedness.

Learning Outcomes

  • Causes of changing allele frequencies in a population’s gene pool, including environmental selection pressures, genetic drift and gene flow; and mutations as the source of new alleles
  • Biological consequences of changing allele frequencies in terms of increased and decreased genetic diversity
  • Evidence of relatedness between species: structural homology and molecular homology
  • The use and interpretation of phylogenetic trees as evidence for relatedness between species

Career Paths

  • Biotechnology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Research scientist
  • Data scientist
  • Forensic scientist
  • Educator

Tertiary Options

  • Bachelor of Science (Various universities)
  • Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Monash / Melb Uni)
  • Bachelor of Biotechnology (Latrobe / RMIT)
  • Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (Monash / RMIT)

Before your visit

Yarra Ranges Tech School has pre work options for all of its programs. We suggest reviewing them and implementing to help familarise your students with the program.

After your visit

Yarra Ranges Tech School has post work options for all of its programs. Please review the links below to see what option will work best for your classes.