ECOS1072 Evolution (5 cr)
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Description
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.
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
Description of prerequisites
BENA2004, BENA2005, BENA2024 or equivivalent
Literature
- Douglas J. Futuyma and Mark Kirkpatrick 2017, Evolution, 4th Edition. 978-1-6053-5740-9
Completion methods
Method 1
Method 2
Teaching, Seminar offered autumn 2021 and 2023 (5 cr)
Weekly meetings, weekly home essays and quizes.
- Futuyma & Kirkpatrick "Evolution", 4th edition
Teaching
9/22–12/15/2023 Seminar
Exam (5 cr)
eExam