Enquiry for Science Major/Minor/Programme Requirements
BIOL3302 Systematics and phylogenetics (6 credits) Academic Year 2026
Offering Department Biological Sciences Quota 60
Course Co-ordinator Prof. J K K Merila, Biological Sciences < merila@hku.hk >
Teachers Involved (Prof J K K Merila,School of Biological Sciences)
Course Objectives To give students an understanding of the principles of systematics and phylogenetics and an appreciation of current trends and controversies.  Systematics forms an invaluable grounding for many fields of biology (including anatomy, ecology, population biology and evolutionary biology), and enables the integration of a wide range of techniques (including anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, cytology, palaeontology and ethology).
Course Contents & Topics Current classification theories: phenetic systematics (classifications based on overall resemblances) and cladistics (evolutionary reconstruction). The species concept. Sources of taxonomic data: morphology & anatomy, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, biogeography and ethology. Causes of taxonomic complexity: environmental factors; hybridization; breeding systems. Principles of nomenclature. Practical sessions will be aimed at illustrating taxonomic procedures and problems; students will not be expected to memorize large numbers of scientific names.
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

CLO 1 explain taxon concepts (with particular reference to species) and the basic principles of nomenclature and show how multivariate statistical methods can be applied below the species level
CLO 2 describe the principles behind maximum parsimony methods of phylogenetic reconstruction (including sister-group relationships, out-group comparison, homoplasy and the assessment of clade stability)
CLO 3 evaluate the diversity of sources of taxonomic data, and explain the importance of specific data sources
CLO 4 recognise the main causes of taxonomic complexity, and identify appropriate solutions
CLO 5 understand the processes and patterns in species biogeography, and important biogeographic factors to consider when understanding species current ranges
Pre-requisites
(and Co-requisites and
Impermissible combinations)		 Pass in BIOL1309; and
Any level 2 BIOL course
Course Status with Related Major/Minor /Professional Core 2026 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2026 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2026 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2025 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2024 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2023 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) ( Disciplinary Elective )
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) ( Core/Compulsory )
2022 Minor in Ecology & Biodiversity ( Disciplinary Elective )
Course to PLO Mapping 2026 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2026 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2026 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2026 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2025 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2025 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2025 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2024 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2024 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2023 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2023 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences < PLO 1,2,3,4 >
2022 Major in Biological Sciences (Intensive) < PLO 1,3,4,5 >
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 >
2022 Major in Ecology & Biodiversity (Intensive) < PLO 1,2,3,4,5,6 >
Offer in 2026 - 2027 Y        1st sem    Examination Dec     
Offer in 2027 - 2028 Y
Course Grade A+ to F
Grade Descriptors
A Demonstrate thorough mastery at an advanced level of extensive knowledge required for attaining most or all of the course learning outcomes, with evidence of extensive background reading and use of named examples. Show evidence of significant critical abilities and logical thinking. Apply highly effective presentation skills. Demonstrate effective use of data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions. Show evidence of integration of a wide range of appropriate theories, principles, evidence and techniques.
B Demonstrate substantial command of knowledge required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes, with evidence of some background reading and use of named examples. Show evidence of critical abilities and logical thinking. Apply effective presentation skills. Demonstrate use of data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions. Show evidence of general integration of appropriate theories, principles, evidence and techniques.
C Demonstrate general but incomplete command of knowledge and skills required for attaining most of the course learning outcomes, with evidence of limited background reading and use of named examples. Show evidence of some critical abilities and logical thinking. Apply moderately effective presentation skills. Demonstrate mostly correct use of data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions. Show evidence of partial integration of appropriate theories, principles, evidence and techniques.
D Demonstrate partial but limited command of knowledge and skills required for attaining some of the course learning outcomes, with insufficient evidence of background reading and use of named examples. Show evidence of limited critical abilities and logical thinking. Apply limited presentation skills. Demonstrate limited ability to use data and results to draw appropriate and insightful conclusions. Show evidence of limited integration of appropriate theories, principles, evidence and techniques.
Fail Demonstrate little or no evidence of command of knowledge and skills required for attaining the course learning outcomes, with no evidence of background reading or use of named examples. Show little or no evidence of critical abilities and logical thinking. Presentational skills are minimally effective or ineffective. Misuse of data and results to draw appropriate conclusions. Little or no evidence of integration of appropriate theories, principles, evidence and techniques.
Communication-intensive Course N
Course Type Lecture with laboratory component course
Course Teaching
& Learning Activities
Activities Details No. of Hours
Group work Group work & Project work 24.0
Laboratory 24.0
Lectures 24.0
Reading / Self study 48.0
Assessment Methods
and Weighting
Methods Details Weighting in final
course grade (%)		 Assessment Methods
to CLO Mapping
Examination 50.0 1,2,3,4,5
Laboratory reports 4 lab session x 12.5% 50.0 1,2,3,4,5
Required/recommended reading
and online materials		 Species concepts, speciation and the naming of species
De Queiroz 2007. https://doi.org/10.1080/10635150701701083
Coates et al 2018. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2018.00165
Marques et al 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2019.02.008

Phylogenetic methods
Yang & Rannala 2012. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrg3186
Degnan & Rosenberg. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2009.01.009
Fujita et al. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2012.04.012

Phylogenetic case studies
Burridge et al 2008. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msm271
Tobias et al 2020. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110218-025023

Taxonomic complexity and current issues in phylogenetics
Conover & Schultz 1995 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(00)89081-3
Vinarski 2022. https://doi.org/10.1134/S2079086422060093
Bickford et al 2007 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2006.11.004
Course Website http://moodle.hku.hk
Additional Course Information


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