ECOS1072 Evolution (5 cr)
Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028
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Book exam: Evolution or Seminar every other year (fall 2025, 2027)
Description
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 evolutionary biology is thus important regardless of whether you will study it specifically in the future or not.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student:
- understands and can explain evolutionary mechanisms
- understands the significance of phenotypic and genetic variation in traits
- can define and explain inheritance
- understands that natural selection operates in many forms and on many levels
- understands that environment and genes interact
- understands the basics of quantitative genetics, population genetics and genomics
- understands and can explain adaptation at the mechanistic level
- understands that not all evolution is adaptive
- understands the problems of species concepts
- understands the general mechanisms of speciation and adaptive radiation
- can 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 (or 5th edition when it gets acquired by the library)
Completion methods
Method 1
Select all marked parts
Method 2
Description:
The seminar is offered every second year, autumn 2025 and 2027.
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x
Exam (5 cr)
Type:
Exam
Grading scale:
0-5
Evaluation criteria:
Three argumented essays are evaluated at the exam (one 3-4 pages). Each essay has maximum of 6 points. To pass the course 9 points are needed. 1=9 points, 2= 11 points , 3= 13 points 4= 15 points and 5 = 17 points.
Language:
English, Finnish
Study methods:
eExam
Teaching
9/1/2024–7/30/2025 Electronic exam
x
Participation in teaching, seminar (5 cr)
Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish