Evolutionary Game Theory

Catalog description

This course will introduce students to evolutionary game theory and its offshoots and related mathematical frameworks. Evolutionary game theory is mathematical framework that views evolution as a series of reciprocal interactions between individuals. It incorporates both ecology and evolution simultaneously, which makes it useful for understanding eco-evolutionary dynamics. Evolutionary game theory is broad enough to be applied to topics like biodiversity and conservation, epidemiology and pathogen evolution, and human-nature interactions. Students will understand both the mathematics of evolutionary game theory and also ecological and evolutionary principles that can be derived from it. Prior programming experience and a mathematical background is helpful but are not required as these topics will be reviewed and discussed throughout the course. The graduate student offering requires an independent project and paper. This course will satisfy a laboratory requirement for the B.A. and B.S. in Biology and the quantitative laboratory requirement for the B.S. in Biology. Offered as BIOL 354 and BIOL 454 . Prereq: Graduate student standing.