BIO 48500 Evolution Spring 2013 Dr. Vincenzo Enea
Section F , Reg. Code 4017
Lectures: M, W. 3:30-4:45 pm in MR 702
Phone: x6802
Email: (best way to contact me)
Text is Freeman and Herron, Evolutionary Analysis, 4th Ed., Pearson, ISBN 0-13-227584-8.
Additional materials will be posted on Blackboard
Exams: There will be 3 exams:
Exam1 covers lectures 1-9
Exam2 covers lectures 11-18
Final exam (cumulative)
Tentative dates are listed in the schedule.
Grades:
For undergraduates,
40% of the grade will be determined by the average of the two exams
40% of the grade will be determined by the final exam
20% of the grade will be determined by class participation.
For MA students,
40% of the grade will be determined by the average of the grades in the two exams plus the grade in a term paper which is to be delivered before the final exam.
40% of the grade will be determined by the final exam
20% of the grade will be determined by class participation.
Attendance: Attendance in this course is mandatory.
Students with Disabilities: Accommodations will be made for students with documented learning disabilities. Please contact me for details before exams.
Description: The title of Theodosius Dobzhansky' s 1973 paper well summarizes the position of most biologists: Nothing in Biology Makes Sense Except in the Light of Evolution
(reprinted at http://www.2think.org/dobzhansky.shtml)
Evolution is indeed the central theory of biological science.
It is a theory insofar as it is based on the scientific method, and insofar as the mechanisms that drive evolution are formulated as hypotheses. But as much as we can be sure that a fact is a fact, evolution is a fact.
In this course we will examine recent research in Evolutionary Biology at the molecular, the organismal, and the population levels, keeping in mind that while the answers may be provisional, the important questions are enduring.
Goals and Objectives:
1. To examine basic principles of evolutionary biology
2. To learn methods of modern evolutionary research
3. To integrate the fields of molecular biology, genetics, ecology and physiology with evolution. This course can be regarded as a capstone course in the Biology major.
4. Critical thinking about experimental design is a central theme of this course. Students will be expected to read and criticize primary literature that involves evolutionary principles.
Term paper (MA students only):
Step 1)
Select a topic in evolution that suits your interests and submit it to me via email by 3/4.
Step 2)
Write an outline of your paper and submit it to me via email by 4/3
Step 3)
Write the paper in word format, in the style of a critical review, and sent it to me via email.
Deadlines:
For topics covered in lectures 1-20 the deadline is 5/1.
For topics covered in lectures 24-25 the deadline is 5/13.
Lecture / Date / Topic / Ch readings1 / M 1/28 / Overview of evolution 1 / EE slides 01
Ch. 1 Understanding HIV
2 / W 1/30 / Overview of evolution 2 / EE slides 01
Ch. 2 The Evidence for Evolution
Ch. 3 Darwinian Natural Selection
3 / M 2/4 / Overview of Mendelian Genetics 1 / Hartwell Genetics 4ed Ch. 3
4 / W 2/6 / Overview of Mendelian Genetics 2 / Hartwell Genetics 4ed Ch. 4
5 / M 2/11 / Mutation and Genetic Variation / Ch. 5
6 / W2/13 / Elements of population genetics / Ch. 6
Alternative Chapter reading (preferably):
Raven Biology 9th Ch20, or,
Hartwell Genetics 4ed Ch19
7 / W 2/20 / Mechanisms of evolution / Ch. 6
8 / M 2/25 / Phylogenetic Trees / Ch. 4
9 / M 2/27 / Phylogeny Reconstruction / Ch. 4
10 / M 3/4 / General review / Ch. 1-6
11 / W 3/6 / Exam1 (covers lectures 1-9)
12 / M 3/11 / Review of Exam1
13 / W 3/13 / Migration, Drift and non-random mating / Ch. 7 part1
14 / M 3/18 / Elements of molecular evolution 1 / Ch. 7 part2
15 / W 3/20 / Evolution at Multiple Loci / Ch. 8
16 / W 4/3 / Elements of quantitative genetics / (from Ch. 9)
17 / M 4/8 / Sexual selection / Ch. 11
18 / W 4/10 / Kin selection group selection / Ch. 12
19 / M 4/15 / Elements of molecular evolution 2 / Ch. 15
20 / W 4/17 / Speciation / Ch. 16
21 / M 4/22 / Review of lectures 12-19
22 / W 4/24 / Exam2 (covers lectures 11-18)
23 / M 4/29 / Review of Exam2
24 / W 5/1 / Origin of Life / Ch. 17
25 / M 5/6 / Elements of Evo-Devo / EE slides 03
26 / W 5/8 / Review of part1
27 / M 5/13 / Review of part2
28 / W 5/15 / Review of part3
29 / M 5/20 / Final exam (cumulative) 3:30pm–5:45pm
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