This is a course in evolutionary biology that uses animal and plant examples to illustrate and clarify fundamental concepts in evolution. The course will concentrate on basic evolutionary mechanisms and theory. During the semester, the graduate students will analyze classical as well as more recent contributions to our understanding of evolution as the unifying concept in biology. Evolutionary Biology examines fundamental topics for understanding evolution, the unifying principle for all of biology. Evidence for evolution is all around us and learning how to view life through ‘evolutionary tinted' lenses greatly change our perspective. Emphasizes the creative ways that scientists are gaining insights into how and why life evolved as it is. Provides scholarly evidence for the basis of evolution to refute non-academic arguments. In this class we take an analytical approach to explore the pattern and process of evolution in all life forms, from viruses to single celled organisms to plants to Homo sapiens. Evolutionary genetics will be considered as the foundation underlying all aspects of evolutionary biology, and concepts in speciation, adaptation, classification, population genetics, and macroevolution will be covered in depth. The importance of evolutionary concepts to all facets of biology will be emphasized, particularly the interplay between evolution and ecology, genetics, development, and medicine.
- Teacher: APPLE JANE LIMA