ECOS1072 Evolution (5 cr)
Description
Content
Why evolutionary theory is important for everybody: Evolutionary biology is the study of the history of life and processes that lead to its unity and diversity hence an important theory for everybody. Its study has far reaching consequences, important for a variety of fields including molecular biology, conservation, developmental biology, paleontology, and applied in other societal fields such as linguistics, medicine (better understanding of various diseases and antibiotic resistance), agriculture, pest management, forestry, and fisheries. A basic understanding of evo-elutionary biology will thus be a vital knowledge regardless if you will study it specifically in the
future or not.
Completion methods
Book exam.
Alternative to book exam is to take a course ECOS1073
Learning outcomes
- is able to understand and explain evolutionary mechanisms
- is able to understand the significance of phenotypic and genetic variation in traits
- is able to define and explain inheritance
- is able to understand that natural selection operates in many forms and many levels
- is able to understand that environment and genes interact
- understands the basics of quantitative genetics, population genetics and genomics
- is able to understand and explain adaptation at the mechanistic level
- is able to explain that not all evolution is adaptive
- understands the problems of species concept
- is able to understand the general mechanisms of speciation and adaptive radiation
-is able to explain the history of life, key innovations and mass-extinctions
Additional information
Alternative to book exam is to take a course ECOS1073
Literature
- Douglas J. Futuyma and Mark Kirkpatrick 2017, Evolution, 4th Edition. 978-1-6053-5740-9