An introduction to biological evolution, from the level of genes
to populations to species.
Athena Title
Evolutionary Biology
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in GENE 3000E, GENE 3000H
Prerequisite
BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 2107H
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall, spring and summer
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
Evolution is the major organizing principle of all the life sciences. The field of evolutionary biology is an active one, with applications to agriculture, medicine, conservation, computer science and industry, among others. Darwin's description of evolution by natural selection is one of the key intellectual achievements of humanity and all educated people should be able to understand the concepts of evolutionary biology.
By the end of this course, you should be able to describe how each of the main 5 evolutionary forces act in isolation and in combination.
By the end of this course, you should be able to describe the diversity of life on this planet in the past, present and future.
By the end of this course, you should be able to compare how evolutionary biologists address scientific questions, as similar or different from other scientific disciplines.
By the end of this course, you should be able to consider, engage and analyze arguments in conservation, environmental and health, evaluate the credibility of information and recommend sound strategies, using evolutionary biology, to address these problems.
Evolutionary biology is a key scientific discipline in understanding the impact of humans on a key element of the environment: biodiversity. The course explicitly details the processes that lead to the origin and maintenance of biodiversity on the planet. Through a number of case studies and examples embedded throughout the course, we investigate the impact of human activity on biodiversity, including the maintenance of genetic variation in populations, the concept of gene flow (captive breeding programs in zoos) in maintaining genetic diversity, the effects of inbreeding and genetic drift on genetic diversity, how humans impact the genetic structure of natural populations and how human activity impacts speciation and extinction.
By the end of this course, you should be able to consider and engage opposing viewpoints of evolutionary change and evaluate the credibility of information about the nature of evolutionary change in populations. Then, using sound scientific reasoning, you should be able to support arguments centered on evolutionary theory.
By the end of this course, you should be able to support and evaluate evolutionary scenarios using quantitative data. You should be able to interpret statistical and mathematical data to inform an understanding of evolutionary processes. And you should be able to use mathematical reasoning to predict evolutionary outcomes. You should be able to utilize appropriate experimental methodology to address theoretical questions in evolutionary biology.
By the end of this course, you should be able to consider the role of evolutionary forces in shaping worldwide human genetic variation and understand how genetics provides a framework for understanding the role of race in humans and its inadequacies as a way of describing human genetic variation. In addition, you should be able to consider the joint contributions of genetics and the environment in shaping human traits. Finally, you should be able to frame human traits and their evolution as compared to the evolution of other organisms. These should enable you to understand how genetics and evolution shape the interdependence of huamns in a global society.
Topical Outline
Variation
Race
Genotype and Environment
Genetics of Complex Traits
Mutation
Adaptation
Population Genetics
Natural Selection
Sexual Selection
Mating System and Inbreeding
Genetic Drift
Molecular Evolution
Migration
History of Life
The Tree of Life
Biogeography
Macroevolution
Phylogeny and Classification
Speciation
Human evolution
Institutional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
The ability to reason, interpret, analyze, and solve problems from a wide array of authentic contexts.
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
