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. 

The course objectives are:  to introduce you to the basic principles 
of evolutionary biology, including population genetics and 
macroevolution; to demonstrate the application of evolution to other 
fields through the use of case studies; to help you understand the
basic mathematical underpinnings of evolution through practice; 
to have you understand the 5 basic evolutionary forces; and, to 
appreciate the processes that led to the generation of earth's 
biodiversity, including our own species.

Environmental Awareness:
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.

Variation
Genotype and Environment
Genetics of Complex Traits
Mutation
Adaptation
Population Genetics
Natural Selection
Sexual Selection
Mating System
Inbreeding
Genetic Drift
Molecular Evolution
Migration
History of Life
Biogeography
Macroevolution
Phylogeny and Classification
Speciation

It is each student's responsibility to be familiar with University policy on academic
honesty. Any evidence of academic dishonesty will be turned over to the Office of the
Vice President for Instruction for consideration and possible action.

Evolution is the major organizing principle of all the life
sciences. The National Science Foundation identifies evolution 
as one of only five “core concepts for biological literacy.” 
Current research in evolutionary biology is very active, 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
understand the basic concepts of evolution.

The course objectives are for students to:

A. Be able to explain evolutionary concepts and apply them to 
new situations, including:
• The origin and role of genetic variation in populations
• Adaptive genetic change in populations
• Non-adaptive genetic change in populations
• A basic mathematical description of the changes of gene 
frequencies in a population
• How evolutionary relationships can be understood using 
phylogenies
• Origin and extinction of species and biodiversity
• Human evolution
• Evidence for evolution and how evolution is studied

B. Demonstrate skills in scientific reasoning and
problem-solving, including:
• Reason about scientific principles, theories, and models
• Analyze and evaluate scientific explanations and predictions
• Design novel experimental approaches to research questions

C. Find and use reputable sources of information to help you
learn concepts and principles in evolutionary biology.

D. Read and critically evaluate primary literature.

E. Be able to explain evolution concepts to non-biologists.

F. Explain the benefits of research in evolutionary biology to
other fields of inquiry.

G. Explain the benefits of research in evolutionary biology to
society, and how it helps us solve problems in our lives.

H. Environmental Awareness:
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.

Variation
Genotype and Environment
Genetics of Complex Traits
Mutation
Adaptation
Population Genetics
Natural Selection
Sexual Selection
Mating System
Inbreeding
Genetic Drift
Molecular Evolution
Migration
History of Life
Biogeography
Macroevolution
Phylogeny and Classification
Speciation

Unless explicitly stated in the syllabus or by the instructor, all work must be 
completed by the individual student without assistance. It is each student's 
responsibility to be familiar with University policy on academic honesty. Any 
evidence of academic dishonesty will be turned over to the Office of the Vice 
President for Instruction for consideration and possible action.

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. The course objectives are: to introduce you to the basic principles of evolutionary biology, including population genetics and macroevolution; to demonstrate the application of evolution to other fields through the use of case studies; to help you understand the basic mathematical underpinnings of evolution through practice; to have you understand the 5 basic evolutionary forces; and to appreciate the processes that led to the generation of earth's biodiversity, including our own species.  

Environmental Awareness: 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.

Variation 
Genotype and Environment 
Genetics of Complex Traits 
Mutation 
Adaptation 
Population Genetics 
Natural Selection 
Sexual Selection 
Mating System 
Inbreeding 
Genetic Drift 
Molecular Evolution 
Migration 
History of Life 
Biogeography 
Macroevolution 
Phylogeny and Classification 
Speciation

It is each student's responsibility to be familiar with University policy on academic honesty. Any evidence of academic dishonesty will be turned over to the Office of the Vice President for Instruction for consideration and possible action.