Evolution

Catalog description

Evolution is the central concept in all of biology and thus is the thread that ties together the multiple sub-disciplines of the biological sciences. This course examines evolution in historical and scientific contexts and aims to teach a deep understanding of the processes and mechanisms of evolutionary biology. Topics covered include population genetics, the theory of evolution by natural selection, concepts of fitness and adaptation, genetic and developmental bases of evolutionary change, modes of speciation, molecular evolution, principles of systematic biology, macroevolutionary trends in evolution, extinction and human evolution. Lecture, 3 hours/week. Prerequisite: Biol 120, Biol 121.